BRS Universal Carbon Block

[ryshark]

Do things ever get better with private equity?

I just called them to ask about the change and after 10 minutes of waiting to get a person on the phone, I gave up.

 

[spsick]

Emailed them last week and got this response today.

Hey there,
Thank you for reaching out to us. The specs on the new block are the same. The mesh is no longer needed as that was mostly a structural benefit as well as helped keep carbon in the block. With the new design that is no longer needed and was removed.

 

[Bulk Reef Supply Verified Sponsor]

@ryshark The change was purely cosmetic removing the mesh on the outside. The Specs of the carbon block itself were not changed.​

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Interesting to see this, I normally stock up on most stuff and this weekend I installed a whole new set of filters in my 7 stage 200gpd RODI unit, I have experimented with different blocks but always use one of the universal and currently one of the .5 micron matrix. I noticed change in the design when I opened a new box of them and was gonna ask myself.

 

[rtparty]

They are completely different and the ratings are not correct. Just look at the carbon block, they can’t possibly be the same

 

[spsick]

Has anyone got out the hacksaw yet? Carbon technology has not changed and smaller usually means less carbon. Less carbon -> less capacity. Pentair CRFC20BB is the biggest heaviest carbon cartridge and capacity, for example.

 

[ryshark]

They are completely different and the ratings are not correct. Just look at the carbon block, they can’t possibly be the same

Agreed. Side by side it does not look like, “purely cosmetic removing of the mesh on the outside.” The whole thing looks different to me, side by side.

I’m not sure about the actual block inside, or the ratings,, but looking through the hole on the top, the size looks different to me

 

[rtparty]

Agreed. Side by side it does not look like, “purely cosmetic removing of the mesh on the outside.” The whole thing looks different to me, side by side.

I’m not sure about the actual block inside, or the ratings,, but looking through the hole on the top, the size looks different to me

They are not the same. I promise you that. They will not work like the old carbon blocks. I believe this is being addressed and was a big mixup in ordering

 

[ryshark]

They are not the same. I promise you that. They will not work like the old carbon blocks. I believe this is being addressed and was a big mixup in ordering

Interesting. I lost some very highend tenuis in the timespan and my water supply uses chloramines, would be sad if this was the reason

 

[billyocean]

@Bulk Reef Supply
I noticed the new Universal Carbon Blocks look different from the previous version, as shown in the photos. Are these an upgrade in filtration performance, or primarily a design change?

My water supply sometimes contains chloramines, so I’m particularly interested in how the two versions compare for chloramine removal. Could you provide the manufacturer’s specifications or performance data sheets for both, including rated chloramine capacity and the flow rate and test conditions used?

Thank you!

Looking from top down...how are these the same except for the mesh? Smh.

 

[spsick]

Interesting. I lost some very highend tenuis in the timespan and my water supply uses chloramines, would be sad if this was the reason

Sorry to hear that. My city does as well, and I found even with the older model was blowing through the first carbon block in 3 months. I did a bunch of testing with a Hach CN-70 kit to set up a replacement schedule.

I have been shopping around for weeks and there is simply no comparable block to the former BRS universal for anywhere close to the price. Most are rated for 2,500g @ 0.5gpm for similar price or the ones rated for 3,500g are closer to $25 each.

 

[Malcontent]

For reference, I have two of the older ones, unused. 500 and 471 g each.

 

[Malcontent]

Sorry to hear that. My city does as well, and I found even with the older model was blowing through the first carbon block in 3 months. I did a bunch of testing with a Hach CN-70 kit to set up a replacement schedule.

I have been shopping around for weeks and there is simply no comparable block to the former BRS universal for anywhere close to the price. Most are rated for 2,500g @ 0.5gpm for similar price or the ones rated for 3,500g are closer to $25 each.

The most cost effective is probably going to be to buy a cubic foot of Calgon Centaur carbon. Based on May, 2025 prices, Calgon is $7.27/lb vs $19/lb for the block.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Well *******! @Bulk Reef Supply can you check yourself before you wreck yourself? Others can tell what’s up visually….I can’t. I was happy that someone caught this change as I never would have. But then, I felt assured (by your reply above) that I didn’t need to worry as it was a purely cosmetic change. So I left it at that. Now with more comments questioning the change, especially from @rtparty as he stated it was an ordering snafu, I’m checking my shizzle!

I try to stock up on this stuff when there’s a good sale. I don’t remember when my last order was (thinking around March or the 4th of July).

My peeps, can you verify which ones I’ve been using for me? I feel a mesh through the wrapper so I’m hoping it’s the old style.

 

[ryshark]

Well *******! @Bulk Reef Supply can you check yourself before you wreck yourself? Others can tell what’s up visually….I can’t. I was happy that someone caught this change as I never would have. But then, I felt assured (by your reply above) that I didn’t need to worry as it was a purely cosmetic change. So I left it at that. Now with more comments questioning the change, especially from @rtparty as he stated it was an ordering snafu, I’m checking my shizzle!

I try to stock up on this stuff when there’s a good sale. I don’t remember when my last order was (thinking around March or the 4th of July).

My peeps, can you verify which ones I’ve been using for me? I feel a mesh through the wrapper so I’m hoping it’s the old style.

That’s the original. It has the mesh. The blue rings on the bottom don’t have ridges in the plastic and if you look straight down, it will have a smaller hole.

 

[ryshark]

For reference, I have two of the older ones, unused. 500 and 471 g each.

Anyone have a new version to weigh?

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

That’s the original. It has the mesh. The blue rings on the bottom don’t have ridges in the plastic and if you look straight down, it will have a smaller hole.

Cool beans. Thank you!

 

[ryshark]

Sorry to hear that. My city does as well, and I found even with the older model was blowing through the first carbon block in 3 months. I did a bunch of testing with a Hach CN-70 kit to set up a replacement schedule.

I have been shopping around for weeks and there is simply no comparable block to the former BRS universal for anywhere close to the price. Most are rated for 2,500g @ 0.5gpm for similar price or the ones rated for 3,500g are closer to $25 each.

I’m thinking about trying this one, unless BRS gives a better explanation. https://www.amazon.com/AquaticLife-...prefix=aquaticlife+carbon+plus,aps,182&sr=8-3

 

[spsick]

The most cost effective is probably going to be to buy a cubic foot of Calgon Centaur carbon. Based on May, 2025 prices, Calgon is $7.27/lb vs $19/lb for the block.

The problem with loose/catalytic carbon is channeling.

I’m thinking about trying this one, unless BRS gives a better explanation. https://www.amazon.com/AquaticLife-Chloramine-Cartridge-Activated-carbon-chloramine/dp/B09DT61K21/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=37BA0T4GX6GDF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ixtCRvrB_iqqEybIu496p3RaGopNOwge-e6_IX0VuqUvJgVG5t8vc5a10UMkeBZbaVGWEpjIidHApn1d9Ouhnug4-PnNY0O3FEKRlz0OiVSjotjU70lMEwG62hDJ8n5tkNpOhQsnq_ZBKwmOA_tBRxMkIYONWAayJcLisWvUWTexwJQjy34d4dY7VBg2L1lA48d53iqwJ4Ws-TPraTY0_A._VY_K2BShAFvI8FBv5Sb2XJ_08Quf_Lb_7SmQwuyWXs&dib_tag=se&keywords=AquaticLife+Carbon+Plus&qid=1794076346&sprefix=aquaticlife+carbon+plus,aps,182&sr=8-3

Nice, that’s a better price than Chlorplus or Chloraguard.

I am converting my unit to 20” filters and using Neo Pure Chloramine blocks. On paper should lower operating costs and replacement frequency substantially.

 

[Malcontent]

The problem with loose/catalytic carbon is channeling.

I don't think it's that big of a problem. I've already converted several stages to granular carbon. I think the resistance of the membrane and flow restrictor would counteract it.