Sunflower Zinc Anode with Magnesium Anode Kit

Comparison

Both zinc and magnesium anodes control corrosion of the metal pan.

Contrast

Magnesium anodes have a higher driving voltage than zinc which causes them to be consumed sooner than zinc.

Zinc is an antifungal element. Magnesium is not. Zinc oxide and zinc compounds are indigestible to micro-organisms such as bacteria, mold, and mildew. They cannot grow and multiply if zinc is in their food supply. Zinc Anodes control the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew which cause the “ fishy” or “swampy” smell that is characteristic of evaporative coolers.

Zinc salts (zinc carbonate, zinc sulfate, etc.) settle out in the pan and are less likely to be pumped with the water into the pads; therefore, the pads do not clog up with the white calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and magnesium sulfate salts. This prolongs the life of the pads from one year to two or more years.