Ray:— The ugly stuff that you see is copper stained Magnesium Oxide. As the anode disintegrates in the process of protecting the inside of your water heater, it gives off hydrogen gas and the remaining magnesium oxide turns into a clear jelly substance. In the presence of copper salts (Copper Sulphate or Copper Chloride) it takes on a green or blue coloration. The large green flakes are copper carbonate and other copper compounds that flake off the walls of the piping. Nothing seriously wrong or life threatening in this situation. The copper piping could stand a little help to withstand the corrosion that is taking place within your plumbing loop. Check the info. on the copper Knight below, it should solve the problem…Bud.
