Plumbing Hot water Heater

It has been awhile since I had to plumb a hot water heater.

Do you still have to use galvenized pipe as a transition to copper pipe. Or can you run copper pipe right to teh nipples coming out of the HWH?

You should use a dielectric union or coupling.

Never use galvanized pipe for water. It will eventually rust. Local codes differ, so you need to check with your local authorities, but in my area the standard connection is a dielectric nipple or a brass nipple followed by a short length of flex copper tubing connected to the supply line. Same on the hot side. You may also need to strap the tank to the walls if you are in an earthquake zone.