Do not leave the anode rod out. Anytime there is water in the tank there needs to be an anode rod, unless your water heater didn't come with one.
Sounds like you got a good dose of iron in your water some place. Drain the hot water heater, add about a cup of hydrogen peroxide, fill the water heater and use as usual. The peroxide will not effect the taste or hurt you to drink but it will kill the organism that is causing the smell.
If you can't add the peroxide directly to the water heater easily, just add a couple bottles to the fresh water tank, circulate it through the system.
Good maintenance indicates draining and flushing the tank at least annually. I drain mine a couple times a year.
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Jim with Judy
2017 Newmar Ventana 4369, 2005 Jeep Wrangler (Rock Crawler), 2016 Jeep Wrangler (Mall Crawler)
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