“If you are hard up, flush it and swap in a new anode. Could last much longer.”
Our water supply supposedly has an average hardness of about 85. Maybe on another end of the system they have a mere 85. Our propane WH starts banging in 2 years whether you flush it or not. The chunks are so big they end up wedged in the valve causing it to leak.
This is the first WH we have has since I built the place that lasted over 3 or 4 years. Construction (layout and lack of space) prevents adding a softener.
I have even swapped out the valve for a ball valve and no help.
Suggestions?
WOW! Seems the only thing you can do is install a large particulate filter before the heater, and that’s it. We do that on our well system using a small particulate filter, which works fine. But we do not have the particulate sizes you do.
I found this pdf which may provide some insight as to a solution for you. See the In-Lime or similar product.
https://www.hotwater.com/lit/training/4800r9.pdf
I found how to clear out the remaining bottom sludge. :-)