Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are the officially endorsed replacement for the discontinued Black Berkey® Elements - both made by New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. (NMCL). The core filtration technology is similar: both use activated carbon-based media and a tortuous-path microfiltration design.

Key differences:

• Phoenix filters are rated at 2,750 gallons per filter (5,500 per set of 2) vs. Black Berkey's 3,000 gallons per filter (6,000 per set)
• Phoenix filters carry NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 certifications
• The housing base uses glass-filled polymer (BPA-free, NSF/FDA food contact compliant) rather than nylon
• Phoenix filters are manufactured by an international NMCL partner with ISO 9001 and WQA Gold Seal certifications

For day-to-day use, the two filters are functionally equivalent and fully interchangeable across all Berkey stainless steel systems. Priming, cleaning, and installation procedures are identical.

The media formulation includes premium CTC 60 coconut shell carbon, activated in a controlled environment at high temperatures to develop millions of micropores. This process exponentially increases surface area and absorption capability to effectively trap a vast range of waterborne contaminants.

The media mixture is then molded and sintered using precise compression and heat to fuse the particles into a dense, yet super-porous filter structure, enabling effective contaminant reduction with strong water flow performance.

Phoenix filters contain a dense matrix of millions of microscopic pores that create a "tortuous path" - trapping silt, sediment, colloids, rust, and non-dissolved herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals. This is known as microfiltration.

The adsorption properties of the activated carbon bind organic contaminants including VOCs, PFAS/PFOA/PFOS, industrial chemicals, disinfectants, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and chlorine. Some inorganic compounds such as certain heavy metals are also reduced through this process.

Gravity gently draws water through the filter over extended contact time, maximizing contaminant reduction and improving taste and odor of the filtered water.

The base is made from a super-durable glass-filled polymer that is BPA-free and NSF/FDA food contact compliant.

Each Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Element measures approximately 9½″ × 2½″ overall, including stem.

Priming removes manufacturing residue and prepares the filter media for use. An unprimed filter will have a very slow or no flow rate - this step is required before first use.

1. Attach the tan priming button to your faucet or use the included prime-rite tool which wraps around your faucet nozzle.
2. Press the filter stem firmly against the priming button to create a seal or let the water flow through the prime-rite tool into the Phoenix filter.
3. Turn on the water and hold for 10–20 seconds until water seeps from the outer filter body
4. Repeat for each filter element

After priming, install the filters in the upper chamber, fill with water, and discard the first 1–2 chambers of filtered water before regular use.

Yes. If flow rate slows or you notice debris, scale, or mineral build-up on the outside of the elements, follow these steps:

1. Empty and disassemble the elements from the upper chamber
2. Gently scrub the outside with a stiff brush or Scotch-Brite® pad under cold running water - never use soap or cleaning agents
3. Re-prime the elements and reinstall them in your system
4. Fill the system and perform a red food coloring test to confirm correct assembly and no internal leaks

For detailed instructions, see the Phoenix filter instructions PDF or the Black Berkey cleaning guide (same process applies).

Yes. The test is performed exactly the same way as with Black Berkey® Elements. Follow the directions in the instructions sheet included with the filters.

A detailed walkthrough is also available in the Berkey Knowledge Base: How can I tell if my Berkey® system is working correctly?

In theory, the shelf life of unused Phoenix filters is indefinite. For previously-used elements stored long-term:

1. Shake excess water from the elements
2. Air-dry on a windowsill or sunny location for 1–3 days until completely bone-dry (zero moisture)
3. Store in a sealable gallon-size plastic bag - this prevents the carbon from absorbing odors

When ready to re-use, scrub the outside under cold running water with a stiff brush, then re-prime before reinstalling.

Yes. Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are direct replacements for Black Berkey® Elements and are compatible with all Berkey stainless steel gravity filter systems, including:

• Big Berkey®
• Travel Berkey®
• Royal Berkey®
• Imperial Berkey®
• Crown Berkey™
• Berkey Light®

They use the same mounting holes and standard wing nut/washer hardware as Black Berkey® Elements. They are also fully compatible with Berkey PF-2® Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements, which attach to the bottom stem of each Phoenix filter.

No. Activated carbon-based filters do not change the hardness of your water.

We strongly recommend not using softened water with your Berkey system. Phoenix and Black Berkey® Elements are designed to remove heavy metals, but will not remove the mineral salts added by a water softener. These mineral salts will prematurely clog the filter pores and reduce absorption effectiveness.

Yes. Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372.

You can review published third-party lab reports and supporting documentation on our Phoenix Filter Lab Results page.

Yes. Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are shown to effectively reduce PFOA, PFAS, and PFOS per third-party accredited lab tests. Lab documentation is available on our Phoenix Filter Lab Results page.

Lab tests show that Phoenix filters initially reduce fluoride up to 75.5%. However, carbon-based elements that reduce fluoride typically lose that ability relatively quickly with use.

For ongoing fluoride reduction, Berkey PF-2® Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements can be used in conjunction with Phoenix filters, providing fluoride reduction for up to 1,000 gallons of use. PF-2 elements attach to the bottom stem of each Phoenix filter element.

Yes. Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements effectively reduce chlorine and 200+ other common contaminants found in U.S. and global municipal water supplies.

Phoenix filters are intentionally designed not to remove beneficial healthy minerals from your water. Because the natural filtration process preserves essential minerals like magnesium and calcium, TDS readings remain unchanged after filtration.

A higher TDS reading does not indicate the filter is not working - it means the filter is doing its job by leaving beneficial minerals in while removing harmful contaminants. For more information, see: What a TDS Meter Can (and Can't) Tell You.

The flow rate is up to 4.2 gallons per hour per pair, calculated with the upper chamber full to the top. Flow rate decreases as the water level drops. Larger systems such as the Imperial Berkey® and Crown Berkey™ can achieve higher throughput when additional filter pairs are installed.

If your flow rate is unusually slow:

• Verify the filters were fully primed before installation
• Remove, re-scrub, and re-prime the elements under cold running water
• Check that the wing nuts are snug and the filter stems are seated correctly
• Perform a red food coloring test to rule out internal leaks
• If your source water has high turbidity or sediment, the pores may need more frequent cleaning

We recommend replacing Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements every 2,750 gallons per filter (5,500 gallons per set of 2). Filters may require replacement sooner based on the quality of your source water.

No. Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements contain none of these substances. All components are certified safe per drinking water standards by NSF.

New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. selected a trusted international manufacturing partner with decades of expertise in the water filtration industry to produce Phoenix filters as the replacement for Black Berkey® Elements.

The factory holds ISO 9001 certification for quality management systems and the WQA Gold Seal for water treatment product safety and performance. These certifications mandate rigorous audits including internal, Stage 1 and 2 external, annual surveillance, and triennial recertification audits under ISO 9001, along with ongoing periodic audits under the WQA program.

Additional quality controls include:

• Dedicated QC personnel overseeing every stage of production
• Multiple inspections for defects at key production points through final packaging
• An in-house laboratory with advanced instruments monitoring CTC values for every batch
• Raw material testing at every stage
• A specialized QA team focused on continuous improvement and consistency

No. Per NMCL policy, Berkey filter products are not currently available for sale to residents of California or Iowa.

California: California maintains specific regulatory requirements for water treatment devices - including Proposition 65 labeling standards and state-level compliance processes - that NMCL has not pursued for its gravity filtration products in that market.

Iowa: Iowa classifies gravity-fed water filters as water treatment devices subject to a state registration process that NMCL has opted not to fulfill for residential gravity systems.

For the most current information on state availability, contact NMCL directly or visit our support page.