When it comes to extracting the finest cannabis, choosing the right filtration media can make all the difference in the final quality of your product. 

If you've been exploring color remediation options, you’ve probably encountered Media Bros' CRY, CRY-M, and CRY+. All three are robust filtration solutions, each with its own respective strengths and limitations—but how do you know which one is best for your operation and specific extraction needs?

In this article, we’re going to examine the main differences between CRY, CRY-M, and CRY+ to help you make an informed decision that works best for your particular operation, the processes you’re using, and the products you’re producing.

Why CRC Filtration is Important

Color Remediation Column (CRC) filtration is an important process in hydrocarbon cannabis extraction that’s designed to improve clarity and remove unwanted pigments, such as chlorophyll and other dark compounds. 

By passing your extract through CRC filtration media, you can achieve a cleaner, more aesthetically appealing product while improving its overall quality. For extractors focused on refining their output, CRC filtration proves to be indispensable, especially when dealing with aged or lower-quality biomass.

Media Bros has established itself as a trusted leader in the cannabis extraction industry, offering a range of top-tier filtration solutions designed for all kinds of different extraction methods. Their CRY product line of filtration media is specifically designed for use in hydrocarbon extraction processes.

The three standout options—CRY, CRY-M, and CRY+—are all engineered to meet different operational needs, giving you the flexibility to tackle even the most challenging biomass while maintaining exceptional extraction efficiency and high flow rates in production.

CRY Filtration Media

CRY filtration media sets itself apart with 1.5X the embedded silica content of CRX (Media Bros’ regular color remediation media), making it a more aggressive filtration option. 

The higher silica concentration gives CRY a wider filtration range, allowing it to tackle not just pigments like chlorophyll but also lipids, fats, and even heavy metals. Simply put, CRY is best suited for demanding extractions where greater selectivity is necessary to refine and purify the end result.

Target Applications

CRY is the go-to solution for processing aged-out biomass, particularly material with higher moisture content and elevated chlorophyll levels—such as hemp. 

It excels in high-throughput extractions where your priority is producing a high-clarity extract from less-than-ideal material. If you're working with biomass that needs heavy color remediation or improved clarity, CRY can deliver.

Key Benefits

• High flow rate paired with aggressive filtration power.
• No need for pre-baking; it is ready to use straight from the package.
• Enhances crystallization and overall extract clarity.
• Effectively removes stubborn pigments and impurities.
• Ideal for difficult biomass with elevated chlorophyll and moisture content.

Operating Conditions

For best results, CRY should be used at temperatures around -40°C, with a solvent ratio of 6:1 to 10:1. 

In terms of equipment, it performs optimally in a column 3” to 4” in diameter and over 10” in height, making it suitable for most commercial setups looking for a balance of efficiency and thorough filtration.

CRY-M Filtration Media

CRY medium flow (CRY-M) features a finer granule size compared to CRY, making it particularly suited for high-pressure extraction systems. 

The smaller granules help prevent channeling (which can occur at elevated pressures), providing more even flow throughout the column. It results in slightly better selectivity and less clogging, making CRY-M a reliable choice when you need precision in high-pressure environments.

Applications and Use Cases

CRY-M shines in systems operating at pressures above 45 psi, where extractors still need aggressive filtration but with a finer touch. It's especially effective in setups where space is limited or where tighter flow control is necessary. 

CRY-M is also ideal for operators who want to achieve a more polished extract, particularly when dealing with older biomass requiring additional color, fats, and lipids remediation. 

If your process involves handling darker, oxidized material, CRY-M can give you the fine filtration required for a cleaner, high-quality extract.

Key Differences from CRY

• Requires pre-baking at 200°F+ for 2-4 hours before use.
• Offers a finer granule size for more precision in high-pressure setups.
• Prevents channeling in high-pressure systems, unlike CRY, which is optimized for high-flow applications.

Operating Conditions

CRY-M is an excellent option for systems operating at higher pressures, between 20-45 psi. It's most effective with biomass-to-media ratios of 150-250g per lb. of biomass, similar to CRY. 

CRY-M provides an efficient and customizable solution for operators running at higher PSIs and needing tighter control while maintaining filtration performance.

CRY+ Filtration Media

CRY+ stands out with a 16-30 mesh granule size, specifically designed to maximize flow rates in your extraction process. 

The larger granules allow for faster throughput, carefully striking a balance between speed and purification performance. CRY+ is perfectly suited for high-throughput operations where efficiency is a priority, all while still delivering high-quality end products.

Applications and Ideal Scenarios

CRY+ is ideal for large-scale extractors who need to prioritize speed and volume while still delivering a high-quality extract. 

Its design handles more challenging biomass, even when working with dark or oxidized materials, and it performs exceptionally well in cold conditions (below -10°C) without the risk of clogging. 

So, if you’re running an operation where consistent flow and minimal downtime are required, CRY+ provides the solution.

Optimal Use Cases

This larger form of filtration media is particularly effective in setups processing dark or heavily oxidized materials, where maintaining fast flow while correcting color is essential. 

CRY+ is recommended for extractors who demand both high efficiency and precision, offering the flexibility to handle large volumes while still achieving solid color remediation. 

CRY+ is a perfect fit for a streamlined, high-output extraction process, whether your focus is solely on speed or maintaining a solid balance between extraction speed and end-product quality.

Key Benefits

• Performs at room temperature or in sub-zero conditions without clogging.
• Larger granule size enhances flow rate without sacrificing filtration quality.
• Needle valve recommended for fine-tuning flow rate and optimizing color remediation.

Operating Conditions

For best results, CRY+ works optimally in 4”-6” diameter CRC columns, operating at 20-45 psi pressures. The recommended solvent-to-biomass ratio is 6:1 to 10:1, giving you flexibility in your process depending on the material and throughput requirements.

Comparison of Performance and Suitability

When selecting the right filtration media, it's essential to carefully balance your flow rates, filtration selectivity, and how each media type interacts with different biomass. 

Flow Rates

When it comes to flow rates, CRY+ leads the pack due to its larger 16-30 mesh granule size, allowing for maximum flow efficiency. This particular property makes it the ideal choice for high-throughput operations where speed is critical. 

CRY strikes a balance between flow and aggressive filtration, offering solid throughput while targeting impurities more intensively. 

On the other hand, CRY-M features a finer granule size, making it better suited for high-pressure systems where preventing channeling and maintaining control over flow is essential.

Filtration Selectivity

In terms of filtration selectivity, CRY is the most aggressive, designed to remove stubborn pigments, such as chlorophyll, fats, and lipids, making it the top choice for aged or highly pigmented biomass. 

CRY-M offers a similar level of filtration but with finer granules, providing extra selectivity for higher-pressure systems while minimizing channeling issues. 

CRY+ provides moderate selectivity but focuses on maintaining flow efficiency, making it perfect for operators prioritizing speed and throughput without sacrificing too much filtration performance.

Optimal Use by Biomass Type

For heavily pigmented or aged biomass, CRY is your go-to media solution. Simply put, it excels at tackling challenging materials that require more aggressive color remediation. 

CRY-M is an ideal option for those working with older biomass in higher-pressure systems, where more careful fine-tuning and additional selectivity are needed. 

For large-scale operations working with challenging biomass and seeking maximum efficiency, CRY+ offers fast processing while still addressing your basic filtration needs.

Terpene Retention vs. Color Remediation

CRY focuses heavily on color remediation but does sacrifice some terpene retention in the process, making it better suited for cases where color is more important than terpene preservation. 

CRY-M provides a more balanced approach, delivering solid filtration while having less impact on terpenes. 

CRY+ allows for high throughput while maintaining decent terpene retention, especially for processes where speed and flow efficiency are top priorities, with mild color correction.

Elevate Your Extractions with the Best Filtration Media

In the end, selecting the right filtration media comes down to figuring out your specific needs and the extraction process that you’re using. 

Whether you require aggressive color remediation with CRY, fine-tuned precision with CRY-M, or high-flow efficiency with CRY+, each option offers distinct advantages depending on your equipment, the biomass you’re using, and your desired product outcomes. Choosing the right filtration media allows you to improve both the quality and clarity of your extracts while maximizing the overall efficiency of your operation.

If you're ready to elevate your extraction process with the best filtration media, Media Bros is here to help. Contact us at sales@mediabros.store or call us at 5033087138 to learn more about our products and get a free sample of filtration media to see how it works for your operation.