Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are replacement filter elements designed for compatible Berkey® gravity-fed water filter systems. For anyone replacing existing elements, however, fit is only part of the decision. Filter capacity, contaminant testing, certification, maintenance, and expected service life can all matter.
This guide explains what Phoenix Gravity filter elements are, how they work, which Berkey® systems they fit, what their current NSF certifications cover, what independent testing is available, and how to install, clean, and replace them.
What Are Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements?
Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are primary gravity-filter elements designed for use in compatible Berkey® and similar gravity-fed systems. They install in the upper chamber, where water moves through the filter media under gravity before collecting in the lower chamber.
The elements use carbon-based filtration media that includes premium CTC-60 coconut-shell activated carbon. Activated carbon provides a highly porous surface that can adsorb selected substances as water moves through the element.
Phoenix elements are a separate filter product from Black Berkey® Elements. Their specifications, capacity, independent laboratory testing, certifications, and maintenance instructions should therefore be evaluated on their own rather than assuming that performance information for one filter automatically applies to the other.
What Do Phoenix Gravity Filter Elements Reduce?
Published independent laboratory reports for Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements evaluate more than 200 substances across several contaminant categories. Testing includes selected PFAS compounds, heavy metals, chlorine and chloramines, volatile organic compounds, pharmaceuticals, disinfection byproducts, nitrates, nitrites, and other substances.
| Category | Available Phoenix documentation | What to review |
|---|---|---|
| Chlorine, taste & odor | NSF/ANSI 42 listing plus independent testing | Certified configuration, claim and service cycle |
| PFAS compounds | Independent laboratory testing | Individual compounds, test volume and reported concentrations |
| Heavy metals | Independent laboratory testing for multiple metals | Specific metal, challenge concentration and test conditions |
| Chloramines | Independent laboratory testing | Published challenge and effluent concentrations |
| VOCs & other organic compounds | Independent laboratory testing | Individual analytes and laboratory conditions |
| Pharmaceuticals | Independent laboratory testing for selected compounds | Compound-specific results rather than a category-wide assumption |
Because performance varies by contaminant and test conditions, broad statements do not provide the same information as the underlying laboratory results. If a particular substance matters to you, review the result for that specific contaminant.
Review the Phoenix Laboratory Test Results
See contaminant-specific findings for PFAS, lead, heavy metals, chlorine, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, and other tested substances, with links to the original laboratory reports.
View Phoenix Test ResultsAre Phoenix Gravity Filter Elements NSF Certified?
Current NSF listings identify specific Berkey® configurations featuring Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements under NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372.
NSF/ANSI 42
The current NSF/ANSI 42 listing covers Travel Berkey®, Big Berkey®, and Royal Berkey® systems featuring Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements for chlorine reduction and taste-and-odor reduction.
Phoenix product guidance lists a designed capacity of approximately 2,750 gallons per element. The current NSF/ANSI 42 listing separately shows a 1,050-gallon service cycle for the certified chlorine, taste-and-odor claims in the listed Berkey® configurations. The NSF service cycle should not be treated as the same measurement as the element's broader designed capacity.
NSF/ANSI/CAN 372
NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 addresses lead-content requirements for components and materials that contact drinking water. The current listing includes Travel Berkey®, Big Berkey®, and Royal Berkey® systems featuring Phoenix elements.
This is an important distinction: NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 does not certify reduction of lead already present in drinking water. Phoenix lead-reduction performance is documented separately through independent laboratory testing.
Certification applies to the specific products, configurations, standards, and claims shown in the applicable NSF listing. Physical compatibility with another Berkey® model does not automatically confer the same NSF certification on that configuration.
Which Berkey® Systems Are Compatible With Phoenix Elements?
Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are designed to fit the following Berkey® gravity-fed systems:
| Berkey® system | Phoenix element compatibility | Current NSF-listed Phoenix configuration? |
|---|---|---|
| Go Berkey® | Compatible | No current configuration listed under the Phoenix NSF listings discussed above |
| Travel Berkey® | Compatible | Yes |
| Big Berkey® | Compatible | Yes |
| Royal Berkey® | Compatible | Yes |
| Imperial Berkey® | Compatible | No current configuration listed under the Phoenix NSF listings discussed above |
| Crown Berkey™ | Compatible | No current configuration listed under the Phoenix NSF listings discussed above |
| Berkey Light® | Compatible | No current configuration listed under the Phoenix NSF listings discussed above |
Phoenix also indicates that the elements can fit many other gravity-fed filter systems. When using a non-Berkey® system, confirm element dimensions, mounting-hole dimensions, stem configuration, chamber clearance, and the manufacturer's applicable installation requirements before ordering.
Phoenix elements are also designed for use with Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements in compatible configurations. Follow the installation instructions for both products when combining primary and post-filter elements.
How Do Phoenix Gravity Filter Elements Work?
A gravity-fed system does not use an electric pump to force water through the filter. Instead, water in the upper chamber creates gravitational pressure that drives it through the installed Phoenix elements into the lower chamber.
As water passes through the porous carbon-based media, selected substances can be adsorbed or otherwise reduced depending on the characteristics of the filter media and the substance being evaluated.
Flow is normally fastest when the upper chamber is full. As the water level drops, the pressure available to move water through the elements also decreases, so the flow rate naturally slows.
Why Can the Flow Rate Change?
Several factors can influence flow through a gravity filter:
- Water level in the upper chamber
- Correct priming
- Element cleanliness
- Incoming-water characteristics
- Sediment or particulate loading
- Mineral buildup
- Element age and condition
- Correct installation and sealing
If flow becomes noticeably slower, start by confirming that the upper chamber contains sufficient water and that the elements were properly installed and primed. If surface buildup is present, cleaning according to the current Phoenix instructions may help restore flow.
Low water pressure from an almost-empty upper chamber, incomplete priming, or surface buildup can also reduce flow. Troubleshoot those conditions before using flow rate alone as a basis for replacing an element.
How Long Do Phoenix Gravity Filter Elements Last?
Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are designed for a capacity of approximately 2,750 gallons per element, or approximately 5,500 gallons for a set of two.
The gallon rating is a useful planning benchmark, not a guarantee that every household will experience the same service life. Actual useful life can vary with source-water characteristics, contaminant loading, sediment, maintenance, and daily water use.
| Phoenix capacity reference | Designed capacity |
|---|---|
| One Phoenix element | Approximately 2,750 gallons |
| Set of two Phoenix elements | Approximately 5,500 gallons |
Keep a reasonable estimate of household water consumption rather than relying solely on the calendar. Replacement may also be appropriate earlier if an element is damaged or if the manufacturer's current instructions otherwise indicate replacement.
How to Install Phoenix Gravity Filter Elements
Always review the current Phoenix installation instructions before installing or servicing the elements.
- Confirm compatibility. Make sure the Phoenix element is suitable for the system you plan to use.
- Remove the existing elements. Clean the chambers as appropriate before installing the replacements.
- Install the Phoenix elements. Position the washers, stems, wing nuts, and other supplied hardware according to the instructions.
- Prime the elements. Follow the manufacturer's priming procedure to remove trapped air from the filter media.
- Reassemble the system. Confirm that the filters and any blocking plugs are correctly seated.
- Check the installation. Follow the current manufacturer procedure for verifying proper assembly before regular use.
Phoenix provides an assembly-verification procedure using red food coloring. Use only the method specified in the current Phoenix instructions, since testing procedures can differ between filter-element types.
Cleaning and Maintaining Phoenix Filter Elements
Phoenix Gravity elements are designed to be cleaned during their useful service life when appropriate. Surface cleaning may help restore flow when sediment, mineral deposits, or other material accumulates on the exterior of the filter.
Cleaning does not make an older element new again, reset its gallon usage, or restore adsorption capacity that has already been consumed. Its primary maintenance benefit is the removal of surface buildup that can restrict water flow.
During routine maintenance:
- Follow the current Phoenix cleaning instructions.
- Inspect the elements for physical damage.
- Check washers, wing nuts, stems, seals, and mounting points.
- Re-prime the elements when required.
- Do not use soap, detergent, bleach, or household cleaning products on the filtration media.
- Keep track of approximate gallons processed.
If an element is physically damaged or has reached its recommended replacement point, follow the manufacturer's current replacement guidance rather than relying on cleaning to extend its rated capacity.
Are Phoenix Gravity Elements the Right Replacement for Your Berkey®?
For owners of compatible Berkey® gravity-fed systems who need new primary filter elements, Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are a current replacement option with published independent laboratory testing, a designed capacity of approximately 2,750 gallons per element, and configuration-specific NSF listings.
The key is to match the information to the filter actually installed in your system. Use Phoenix-specific test results when evaluating Phoenix performance, confirm whether your particular Berkey® configuration is included in an NSF listing, and follow Phoenix installation and maintenance instructions for the elements themselves.
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