Review on Enhanced Fluidmaster 8100 Flush 'n Sparkle Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaning System with Blue Cartridge by Adam Noorzay

For some reason the blue cleaning system is currently a bit cheaper than the bleach version despite being the exact same device. I've used the bleach system in another house in the past with blue and bleach sticks, as you can use bleach sticks in this "blue" version. Blue cleaning pills don't work as well as bleach pills in my opinion, but being able to swap the blue pill for a chlorine pill when they run out made me go with the blue system mainly because of the current lower price. One of my biggest concerns with this product is how overpriced the refills are (both blue and bleach/chlorine). I've found that instead of refills, you can buy a 1" bottle (or smaller if you prefer) of chlorine tablets, pop them in a pill holder and use them instead. I personally use the Kem-tek brand for swimming pools, which works well, although there are several different brands and tablet sizes. With 1 inch tablets you use two tablets but I have found that one tablet works well and lasts quite a long time (usually a couple of months). Fluidmaster, not even a 90 day guarantee. I ordered three of these, one arrived crumpled up. (No problem, I can get back to AMZ.) The second started leaking from the bottom a few days later. When I asked the manufacturer about the warranty, they told me that this product doesn't have one and they told me to buy a new one. I can understand that they don't have a long warranty period, but not backing them up with a short-term defect guarantee is at least a minus. Due to the leaking base, I noticed that they are made with a base piece that is glued to the main plastic case that houses the cartridges. So I'm wondering how well this glued floor will hold the cleaning cartridges (blue or bleach) over time before the glue fails and the floor comes off easily which seems to be the case with what I've received, by letting the cartridges seep into the fragile rubber parts in the tank which can later cause problems with those parts. Slightly changing how this is done by making the base and body one piece will definitely prevent this and I hope Fluidmaster makes an improved version to prevent the base from leaking. That being said I think the bleach version works better than the blue cleaning system but if they are cheaper get them and use either bleach spares or tablets as bleach tablets clean the bowl more effectively and prevent hard water from circling around the bowl, without damaging the inside of the toilet. . This isn't ideal, as you'll sometimes need preventive cleaning, but not as often as you would without a cleaning system. With that in mind I suggest checking the unit regularly for leaks as the bottom glued part can fail (like one of mine did) as well as possible leaky attached plastic hoses (although mine hoses never failed). If you find that the cartridge well won't hold water when you change it, or water is dripping out of the FM unit when you flush it, it is most likely damaged and needs to be replaced. If you prefer blue water, purify them, but they don't work as well as the bleach version. Also look out for any manufacturing defects or failures over time at the bottom of the plastic case that could seep into your tank. 3 stars for the blue system 3.5 stars for the lightening system