in buffalo ny, city water from lake erie: our 75 gallon gas water
heater aged 10 years and provided rusty water for 10 months until it
failed by running hot water onto the basement floor which set off the
$10 water alarm. we had a new tank and replacement gas and water valves
standing by, installed it but had stupidity trouble lighting it until
we bled the air out of the gas connector. works great with clean hot
water. i just looked for your tiny bubbles, and they are there in cold
and more visible in cooled off hot than hottest hot in a glass held up
to the light. we run our new 50 gallon water heater at maximum
temperature about 155 F for 4 adults, dishwasher, washing machine, and
dog. inlet water varies with seasons from 75 to 35 degrees. suggest you
compare yours to a neighbor's water as the amount of dissolved air and
temps and water ingredients will vary.
here's a favorite site with other assistance:
http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pag.../site-map.html


wrote:
I had a gas State Select 80 gallon hot water heater installed five
months ago. From day one my hot water will be discolored (looks like
air in water) for the first 20 seconds after it is turned on. If I
drain the water from the tank pressure relief valve I get the same
result. The tank also rumbles when heating, sounds as if the water is
boiling, but it is not. The dealer has drained the tank at least three
times, trimed some type of rod inside the tank and added a accumulator
tank to the top of the unit. So far the manufacturer has refused to
replace the tank. If I leave the discolored water in a glass it will
clear up in about ten minutes. I have had four electric hot water
heaters in the house since 1971, never a discoloration problem. I am on
city water and the cold water is perfect. Any suggestions as to what
my problem might be other than the Maufacturator not stading bedind his
product.

thanks
Brock