Various aspects for managing data blocks in a storage system are provided. For instance, a method may include storing, in a buffer memory device, a comparison block library, selecting a first set of comparison blocks in the comparison block library to create an active set of comparison blocks, and utilizing the active set in conjunction with a data deduplication technique. A method may further include determining an occurrence of a predetermined event in the data deduplication technique, selecting a second set of comparison blocks in the comparison block library to create a new active set of comparison blocks in response to the predetermined event, replacing the active set with the new active set, and utilizing the new active set in conjunction with the data deduplication technique.