Water cylinder - sacrificial anode

[Marnhullman]

My daughter's flat has a combination cylinder and in the top section there is the remains, in several bits, of what looks to be a heavily calcium encrusted rod or pipe bent into a hoop - it looks as if it was about 12" - 15" in diameter orginally.

I've read somewhere about sacrificial anodes but from their description they seem to be straight rods and this 'thing' doesn't seem to have been that shape. Also I believe that the anode sticks down into the bottom section of the cylinder? There is a 1" length of what seems to be a rod sticking up from the bottom of the top cylinder section - could this be the anode? It doesn't look to be in a condition that would enable it to be removed.

Does anyone know what the decayed hoop may have been and what purpose it served? Could it have been connected to the small section of pipe sticking up from the centre of the cylinder?

How important is it that I replace the anode - assuming that I can remove it and source a replacement? I'm replacing the immersion heater and am concerned the new unit may corrode very rapidly without the anode.

Finally, adverts for replacement cylinders suggest they no longer need anodes so I assume they are of different construction or did the presence of an anode actually serve no useful purpose?

Thanks

 

[kevplumb]

could well be the expansion pipe or whats left of it
sac anodes never made that much difference anyway

 

[PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN]

Anodes made the cylinders rot quicker anyway, TP wouldn't sell cylinders with them fitted.

 

[kevplumb]

stop being agreeable you (reputation to maintain )
just re read the first post 12 to 15"" dia ?

 

[PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN]

Think he meant diameter coiled up

 

[kevplumb]

in the top section of a fortic ?

 

[Marnhullman]

Kevplumb

If it was an expansion pipe and it's now disintegrated will this cause trouble? However, I cleaned out the tank last night and it certainly seemed that the bits were of a solid section i.e. not a hollow tube. Do you think all the bits formed a coil that was connected to the small bit of pipe that is left sticking up from the bottom of the top cylinder section and if it wasn't an anode what purpose would a solid coil fulfill?