Useful equipment
Useful and practical tools
You can, of course, drag a water bucket for a partial water change, scratch out the algae inside from the glass panes with wet arms, individually collect snails by the thousands etc. But there are really useful aids which we would like to introduce to you:
Maintenance every 2 weeks
We explain everything that needs doing in a 2-week rhythm and show you how to do it properly: the important water change, how to react when water evaporates and how to treat the water after a partial water change.
Cleaning of aquarium
Carry out a partial water change (1/3) every 2 weeks which ideally should be combined with the cleaning of the bottom. For that you need a mechanical substrate cleaner (gravel cleaner).
JBL PROCLEAN AQUA EX 10-35
- Small, but smart and very effective gravel cleaner to siphon off waste from small aquariums
- Use: Hold the gravel cleaner under the water, briefly suck down the hose once and let the water flow into the bucket. Immerse the gravel cleaner into the substrate and the suction will remove the waste from the bottom
- The square cross section also enables you to siphon off waste from the corners of the aquarium
- Safe for the animals: removable protective sieve prevents accidental sucking in of plants, shrimps and fish
- Package contents: 1 gravel cleaner with Ø 35 mm, 12.5 cm height, incl. 1.5 m hose (9/12 mm)
JBL PROCLEAN AQUA EX 20-45
- Sophisticated and highly effective gravel cleaner to siphon off waste in aquariums from 20 cm height upwards
- Use: shake the gravel cleaner, let water flow into the bucket, siphon the waste out of the substrate, close the stopcock when finished
- A corner on the round gravel cleaner ensures an efficient and powerful whirl effect so you can move and easily siphon off dirt from the aquarium corners
- The protective sieve can be removed for cleaning and prevents plants, shrimps and fish from being accidentally sucked in
- Package contents: 1 gravel cleaner with suction valve, Ø 4 cm, length 27 cm, incl. 2 m hose (12/16 mm), 2 hose clips, stopcock
JBL PROCLEAN AQUA EX 45-70
- Sophisticated and highly effective gravel cleaner to siphon off waste in aquariums from 45 cm height upwards
- Use: shake the gravel cleaner, let water flow into the bucket, siphon the waste out of the substrate, close the stopcock when finished
- The round gravel cleaner has one corner which helps you move the dirt and reach the corners of the aquarium when you turn it
- Safe for the animals: the protective sieve can be removed for cleaning and prevents plants, shrimps and fish from being accidentally sucked in
- Package contents: 1 gravel cleaner with suction valve, Ø 4 cm, length 27 or 46 cm, incl. 2 m hose (12/16 mm), 2 hose clips, stopcock
JBL PROCLEAN AQUA IN-OUT COMPLETE
- Super practical complete set for partial water changes with substrate cleaning in aquariums of 30-70 cm height, with water jet pump for the tap
- Easy to install: use the hose to connect the gravel cleaner (substrate cleaner) to the suction pump on the water tap. After siphoning the aquarium floor, move the lever on the tap pump to refill the aquarium
- Automatic suction device: the water jet from the tap creates suction (even if the aquarium is lower). Gravel cleaner leans in hard-to-reach places with a corner in its round cross-section
- No more lugging water buckets. Easy and safe water flow, hose secured by hose clip and direct connection to water tap
- Contains: 1 complete water changing set incl. 8 m hose (12/16), gravel cleaner 27-46 cm long, thread adapter for 3/4’’ to 22 x 1; 24 x 1; 28 x 1, 2 hose fixing clips, 1 water jet pump
JBL PROCLEAN AQUA IN-OUT EXTENSION
- If the 8 m water hose in the JBL PROCLEAN AQUA IN-OUT is not enough, we offer an 8 m water hose extension set
- For the extension: pull the original hose off the gravel cleaner, screw on the hose connector provided and insert the hose piece in between
- The hose connector provided contains a hose locking nut on each side to securely fasten the hoses
- This extension set fits all 12/16 hoses
- Package contents: 8 m 12/16 hose, 1 hose connector incl. hose screw locks
Pane cleaning
Your panes will show an algae coating after a while. There are many glass pane cleaners to remove the algae. Just always take care that stones/sand/gravel NEVER get between the tool and the pane as this causes irreparable scratches in the glass! Ideal are glass pane cleaner magnets you can move from outside, whereas the internal part removes the algae (JBL Floaty range). If the internal element falls off because of too strong movements, it will float to the surface and can be retrieved using the external magnet.
For plastic panes (plexiglass/acrylic), please do not use any of the pane cleaners mentioned. They all scratch the pane. The JBL FLOATY acrylic/glass was specially developed for plastic panes! This FLOATY can be used the other way round on glass without any problems and is especially popular in small aquariums with glass thicknesses up to 4 mm.
With curved front panes, the pane magnets or blades are naturally only in contact when they are applied vertically. The JBL FLOATY BLADE and the JBL Blanki in particular are ideal for curved front panes.
Cleaning the aquarium pane
We demonstrate how the incorrect cleaning of aquarium panes leads to scratches and how you can avoid it. How do you clean curved panes? How do you avoid damaging the silicone bonding? Why should household cleaners not be used? We talk about and demonstrate all the types of pane cleaners for your aquarium.
JBL FLOATY II
- Convenient and effective cleaning of aquarium panes: glass cleaning magnet with floating internal element
- Easy to use: float the internal element on the water at the edge of the aquarium tank, the external element will draw the internal element. Direct the magnet from the outside. Clean glass pane with circular movements
- Convenient to use: protruding cleaning edge accesses hard-to-reach spots (e.g. behind technical equipment), reach into corners without getting your hands wet
- Patented JBL edge protection: protection of aquarium silicone seals thanks to bevelled edges, swimming internal element: no scratches on the pane caused by trapped gravel stones
- Package contents: glass cleaning magnet Floaty II
JBL FLOATY Shark
- Convenient and effective cleaning for aquarium panes of max. 20 - 30 mm thickness: cleaning magnet with floating internal element
- Easy to use: float the internal element on the water at the edge of the aquarium tank, the external element will draw the internal element. Direct the magnet from the outside. Clean glass pane with circular movements
- Patented edge protection: protection of aquarium silicone seals thanks to bevelled edges, swimming internal element: no scratches on the pane caused by trapped gravel stones
- Convenient to use: protruding cleaning edge accesses hard-to-reach spots (e.g. behind technical equipment), reach into corners without getting your hands wet
- Package content: 1 floating glass cleaning magnet (internal and external part)
JBL FLOATY BLADE
- Conveniently and effectively cleans aquarium panes of 8 to 15 mm thickness: pane cleaning magnet with blade and floating internal element. Also suitable for curved panes
- Easy to use: float the internal element on the water at the edge of the aquarium tank, use the external element to pull the internal element. Guide the magnet from the outside. Clean the pane in straight sliding movements
- Patented edge protection: protection of aquarium silicone seals thanks to bevelled edges, swimming internal element: no scratches on the pane caused by trapped gravel stones. Also suitable for curved panes
- Convenient to use: accesses hard-to-reach spots thanks to angles cleaning edge (e.g. behind technical equipment), blunt blade insert for particularly stubborn deposits (e.g. calcareous algae), reach into corners without getting your hands wet
- Package contents: 1 floating pane cleaning magnet with blade
JBL Aqua-T Handy
- Effortless removal of persistent deposits on the aquarium panes: glass pane cleaner with stainless steel blade
- Easy handling thanks to sturdy grip: blade width 7 cm, also suitable for curved front panes
- Safe: protective cap against injuries when not in use. No damage to the aquarium’s silicon seal
- Spare blades available separately
- Package contents: 1 magnetic glass cleaner, Aqua-T Handy, size: 8 x 13.5 cm
JBL Blanki
- Cristal-clear aquarium panes: very efficient glass pane cleaner to remove algae and dirt
- Convenient to use: clean inside the pane using the steel wool pad with its convenient handle, using circular movements
- Safe and ideal for children: chemically neutral, no blades, non-rust, also suitable for curved front panes
- Note: not suitable for plastic panes! It is important that NO sand reaches between pad and pane
- Package contents: 1 non-scratch aquarium glass pane cleaner
JBL Blanki Set
- Removal of algae, lime and other deposits from the aquarium pane within minutes: non-scratch glass pane cleaner
- Easy to handle: cleaner with handle – effortless removal of most stubborn algae
- Safe and ideal for children: chemically neutral, no blades, non-rust, also suitable for curved front panes
- Note: not suitable for plastic panes, keep the sponge cushion free of sand
- Package contents: 1 non-scratch aquarium glass pane cleaner with handle. Incl.handle (45 cm) and cleaning cushion.
JBL WishWash
- Crystal-clear aquarium and terrarium panes: cleaning cloth and sponge to remove algae and dirt
- Convenient to use: sponge for the removal of algae and dirt at the inside of the aquarium or terrarium pane. Clean and easy: cloth to clean the pane on the outside
- Soaks up the whipped off dirt: no spreading of dirt in the water
- Free of chemicals, clean sponge/cloth with water up to 60°C.
- Package contents: 1 x cleaning cloth and sponge. Incl. 1 sponge, sewn inside cloth, approx. 100 x 100 x25 mm, 1 cloth approx. 400 x 510 mm
JBL Spongi
- Clean aquarium or terrarium: robust cleaning sponge
- Easy to use: move the sponge over the inner surface of the aquarium pane
- Cleans thoroughly: residue-free sponge
- Neutral material - adds no pollutants to the water
- Package contents: cleaning sponge for aquariums and terrariums, Spongi, size: 11.5 x 9 cm
JBL PROSCAPE CLEANING GLOVE
- Effortless removal of algae growth and deposits: aquarium glove with metal threads for the cleaning of glass panes and objects
- Easy handling: put on glove, clean by rubbing on the desired area
- Cleans all corners and angles, removes algae from plant leaves and decoration, cleans technical items and pumps
- Care of glove: rinse in lukewarm water and dry out of direct sunlight
- Package contents: 1x aquarium glove
JBL PROCLEAN AQUA
- Clean aquarium panes: powerful glass cleaner with pump spray head
- Effortless cleaning: wet the glass pane with glass cleaner, dry it with soft lint-free cloth, if required, repeat the procedure
- Removes the most stubborn limescale, cleans with the power of nature
- Safe for fish, invertebrates and plants
- Package contents: 250 ml glass cleaner with pump sprayer for aquarium panes
JBL FLOATY acrylic/glass
- Place the pane cleaner on the outside and its magnetic counterpart on the inside. Clean panes with circular movements
- Place the pane cleaner on the outside and its magnetic counterpart on the inside. Clean panes with circular movements.
- Swimming internal element: no scratches on the pane caused by gravel stones from the aquarium bottom trapped inside
- This Floaty can be used for plastic panes as well as for glass panes
- Package contents: 1 floating glass cleaning magnet consisting of an external and a floating internal part
Catching snails and planaria
If snails or planaria (flatworms) become a nuisance the two traps shown can help.
JBL LimCollect
- Catches unwanted snails, shrimps or crabs in the aquarium: chemical-free snail trap with variable height limit of the inlet
- Easy to use: fill the snail trap with food, insert rods to the desired height, place the snail trap in the aquarium overnight
- Two small rods for the variable height limit: to prevent fish from entering unintentionally. Also suitable for catching shrimps or crabs.
- Water flow: no oxygen problems for fish caught unintentionally
- Package contents: 1 chemical-free snail trap, Lim Collect II. Size: 11.7 x 9 cm
JBL PlaCollect
- Convenient and effective way to catch flatworms (planaria) without using chemicals
- Equip trap with food bait (JBL NovoTab), use suction pad and cord to hang it at an angle over the bottom and empty trap the following day
- Convenient emptying of the trap: open lower plug and upper screw top and rinse under running water
- Completely non-toxic in freshwater and marine water
- Package content: 1 complete planaria trap (13 cm long) with transparent cord and suction pad for slanted positioning
Inserting plants
Of course you can press the plants into the substrate with the tips of your fingers. But from experience it is far easier and also better if you use long pincers. Before inserting the plants you should also shorten the roots with scissors.
JBL PROSCAPE TOOLS P STRAIGHT
- Professional insertion of aquatic plants for the design of aquarium landscapes: straight pincers for aquascaping.
- Easy handling: fatique-free working thanks to its light weight: 78.3 g, length: 30 cm
- Protects plant: tips with cross corrugation, especially smooth surface: stainless high-quality steel, made in Japan.
- Maintenance tip: rinse with freshwater after use in saltwater
- Package contents: 1 pair straight pincers for aquascaping, ProScape Tool P straight
JBL PROSCAPE TOOLS P SLIM LINE
- Professional insertion of aquatic plants for the design of aquarium landscapes: slender and straight pincers for aquascaping. Especially for small lawn forming plants
- Easy to use: fatigue-free working thanks to its light weight: 44.8 g, length: 30 cm
- Protects plant: tips with cross corrugation, especially smooth surface: stainless high-quality steel, made in Japan.
- Maintenance tip: rinse with freshwater after use in saltwater
- Package contents: 1 pair slender, straight pincers for aquascaping, ProScape Tool P slim line
JBL PROSCAPE TOOLS P CURVED
- Professional decoration and insertion of plants for the design of aquarium landscapes: angled pincers for aquascaping
- Easy to use: fatigue-free working thanks to its light weight: 75.3 g, length: 30 cm
- Protects plant: tips with cross corrugation, especially smooth surface: stainless high-quality steel, made in Japan.
- Maintenance tip: rinse with freshwater after use in saltwater
- Package contents: 1 pair angled pincers for aquascaping, Proscape Tool P curved
JBL PROSCAPE PLANTIS PINS
- Hold for all plants: pegs to anchor plants safely in the aquarium substrate until the roots have taken firm hold
- Easy to use: clip the peg around the plant root, anchor the root in the substrate
- Unbreakable plastic, for freshwater and saltwater aquariums
- No damage to plants or substrate
- Package contents: 1 x plant pegs in pack of 12, ProScape Plantis
Cutting plants
At some point stem plants will grow to the surface and need to be shortened. With special scissors this can be done very precisely in just a few minutes. For rosettes you need to remove unsightly leaves or to cut off offshoot. Long scissors are very helpful for this too.
JBL PROSCAPE TOOLS S STRAIGHT
- Professional plant clipping to create aquarium landscapes: straight trimming scissors for aquascaping
- Easy handling: 27 mm sized finger holes also suitable for bigger fingers, fatigue-free working thanks to light weight: 60.5 g, length: 20 cm
- Especially smooth surface: stainless high-quality steel, made in Japan with extremely high cutting precision
- Maintenance tip: rinse with freshwater after use in saltwater
- Package contents: 1 pair straight trimming scissors for aquascaping, ProScape Tool S straight
JBL PROSCAPE TOOLS S CURVED
- Professional and comfortable trimming of plants to create aquarium landscapes: angled trimming scissors for aquascaping plant maintenance.
- Easy handling: 27 mm sized finger holes also suitable for bigger fingers, fatigue-free working thanks to light weight: 62.5 g, length: 20 cm
- Especially smooth surface: stainless high-quality steel, made in Japan with extremely high cutting precision
- Maintenance tip: rinse with freshwater after use in saltwater
- Package contents: 1 pair angled trimming scissors for aquascaping, ProScape Tool S curved
JBL PROSCAPE TOOLS S WAVE
- Professional clipping of lawn forming plants and for plants which are difficult to reach when creating aquarium landscapes: wave shaped scissors for aquascaping plant maintenance
- Easy to use: 27 mm sized finger holes also suitable for bigger fingers, fatigue-free working thanks to light weight: 51.8 g, length: 20 cm
- Especially smooth surface: stainless high-quality steel, made in Japan with extremely high cutting precision
- Maintenance tip: rinse with freshwater after use in saltwater
- Package contents: 1 pair wave shaped scissors for aquascaping, ProScape Tool S wave
JBL PROSCAPE TOOLS S SPRING
- Professional cutting of mosses and lawn plants to create aquarium landscapes: curved spring scissors for aquascaping plant maintenance
- Easy handling: 27 mm sized finger holes also suitable for bigger fingers, fatigue-free working thanks to light weight: 19.5 g, length: 16 cm
- Especially smooth surface: stainless high-quality steel, made in Japan with extremely high cutting precision
- Maintenance tip: rinse with freshwater after use in saltwater
- Package contents: 1 pair curved spring scissors for aquascaping, ProScape Tool S
Hose installation
As soon as you install water-bearing hoses, this can quickly lead to kinks at the edges which can reduce the water flow tremendously. Hose guides help you to prevent this problem easily and effectively.
If hoses have a kink and JBL AntiKink does not fit for some reason, heat the hose or the hose part in hot water until you can press out the kink. Allow the hose to cool down and then re-route it without creating kinks or then with JBL AntiKink .
JBL AntiKink
- Anti-kink protection for hoses
- Extremely long service life
- Protection: prevents the hoses kinking and bursting as a result of excess pressure, enhances performance by maintaining the full flow rate
- Available for 2 hose diameters
- Package contents: 1 anti-kink protection for hoses in a pack of 2, AntiKink
JBL ClipSafe Vario
- Attach aquarium hoses, e.g. when changing the water, simply and securely to the aquarium edge and bucket
- Easy to use: simply push the plastic clip onto the aquarium and bucket edges. Push the hose into the clips when not in use or to prevent it from accidentally slipping out
- Safe: prevents flooding and wet floors caused by uncontrolled movements of the hose
- Clamp for hoses between 9 and 27 mm adjustable by ratchet. Clamp on pane/bucket for max. 2.5 cm approx.
- Package contents: 2 tube hose clips (9-27mm) + 2 foam pads for pane protection
Hose cleaning
Measurements have shown that biofilms can reduce the filter performance in the hoses by 25 %! We therefore recommend you clean the hoses with a hose brush about every 3 months.
JBL Cleany
- For clean hoses on filter and pumps to prevent output reduction caused by soiled hoses
- Easy to use: push matching end of hose brush through the hose and clean
- 160 cm long - cleaning of all hoses with 9 to 30 cm internal diameter (fits, for instance, to ALL JBL external filters)
- Up to 30 % more filter performance, averts a loss in performance: maintains the biological balance in the aquarium
- Package contents: 1 steel helix with small and large cleaning brush at each end, 160 cm long
Hose installation
With suction cups and clips you can position and fix the suction and outflow pipes of the filter correctly.
JBL FixSet
- Accessory for external filters: suction pad and spacer set for pipes and hoses
- Easy to install: connect the clips to the suction pad, attach to the pipe or hose, attach in desired position
- 2 suction pads with clips: distance from pipe centre to wall 2 cm, 2 suction pads with spacer clips: distance from pipe centre to pane: 3.5 cm
- Separately available: with 2 spacers of different lengths (2 & 3.5 cm) tubes or hoses can always be fixed correctly to the pane
- Package contents: universal set with suction cups and spacers, incl. 2 suction cups, 2 clips 2 cm and 2 clips 3.5 cm
JBL suction cup with clip, 12 mm
- Rubber holder with robust clip
- Easy to attach: click the object into the clip, position it in the desired place
- Stable hold: holds all objects with 12 mm in diameter
- Clip and suction holder can be separated
- Contents: 1 pack suction pads with clips 12 mm, incl. 2 suction pads, 2 clips
JBL suction cup with clip, 16 mm
- Rubber holder with robust clip
- Easy to attach: click the object into the clip, position it in the desired place
- Stable hold: holds all objects with 16 mm diameter
- Clip and suction holder can be separated
- Contents: 1 pack suction pads with clips 16 mm, incl. 2 suction pads, 2 clips
Maintenance of technical items
Seals and filter impellers also need a bit of maintenance and cleaning.
Rubber seals and O-rings lose their suppleness in the course of time and with that their ability to seal something 100%. The suppleness can be regained with the help of silicone grease to ensure the sealing function or the flexibility, (needed for levering etc) is still adequate. It is not important to apply a huge amount of silicone grease but it is important to lubricate each side completely.
Tip: Never use silicone spray near latex!!! Latex does not even tolerate traces of silicone spray mist. It damages it.
JBL SILICONE SPRAY
- Cares for all movable parts and seals of technical articles in the aquarium and garden pond
- Spray on moving parts, seals and O-rings
- Water-neutral silicone grease spray
- Water clear, odourless, long-term adhesion, CFC-free, free of oils and ecotoxic substances
- Contents: 1 pressurised gas cylinder with 400 ml content and spray head attachment for a precise, fine stream
JBL CristalProfi Pulling Aid Impell. Bearing&Brush
- Practical auxiliary tool to maintain and to improve the performance (JBL CristalProfi e: 401, 402, 701, 702, 901, 902, 1501, 1502, 1901, 1902)
- Easy to use: remove the bearing bush at the end of the ceramic axis with the pulling aid. Clean the well with the brush
- Diameters: brush 17 mm, pulling aid 4.5 mm
- Cleans areas which are difficult to reach perfectly. The lower impeller bearing (rubber sleeve) in external filters is practically inaccessible without using the correct tool
- Package contents: pulling aid and cleaning brush for impeller bearings
Fry rearing
Since many fish species regard their offspring as food you need to protect eggs and fry from their parents.
JBL BabyHome Oxygen
- Separation of parent fish and isolation of incompatible animals: extra-large spawning box with cover and built-in oxygen supply for the breeding of fry
- Complete kit – ready for immediate use: Use as double spawning box, single spawning box or as breeding container
- Healthy fish: rising air bubbles for good water circulation and for the promotion of the hatching rate, two-part container: separation of breeding females, two different spawning grids, stabilisation inside the aquarium with suction cups
- Airlift principle: gentle, steady water flow with quality air pump – increased well-being of parent fish, reduction of loss rate, output 3 W
- Package contents: 1 premium spawning box complete kit, BabyHome Oxygen. Incl. spawning box, air pump, air hose, air stone
JBL NBox
- Isolation tank for juvenile, sick or aggressive fish
- Fry grow better: extra-large volume of 2 litres. Ideal oxygen supply - ideal water flow
- Spawning box: usable as spawning box in combination with coarse filter wool
- Easy assembly: connect frame, insert into net, bend metal holder to fit aquarium rim
- Package contents: 1 x JBL Net spawning box for juvenile fish, NBox. Dimensions: 17 x 12.5 x 13.5 cm
JBL BabyHome pro Air
- Protection against large fish: spawning box for viviparous aquarium fish; isolation tank for sick or aggressive fish
- 3 functions: single spawning box, double spawning box or breeding box
- Effective – intended for the use of an air stone: When using an air stone inside the spawning box the oxygen content rises, which dramatically reduces the risk of a fungal infection of the spawn
- Simple installation: attachment of the spawning box with suction cups at the side to the aquarium wall. Slits of the spawn grid: 2 mm; side slits: 0.5 to 0.8 mm
- Contents: 1 spawning box for air stone installation. Size: 200 x 98 x 98 mm
Attachment of technical and decorative items
There are 100 situations where you need a non-toxic adhesive: from the resealing of an aquarium to the fixing of a plant to the decoration. For each situation we have the right adhesive for you.
Inserting aquarium plants and adding the water. Here’s how!
How are aquarium plants correctly inserted? What can you do about plants that won’t stay in the soil and keep floating up? What types of plants are there and how can you tell what demands plants have? How do you add the water without disturbing your arrangement?
JBL PROHARU UNIVERSAL
- For the bonding of decorations, panes, technical items, leaks and anything else
- Bonds above and under water. Non-toxic to animals and plants
- Bonds glass, metal (aluminium), wood, plastic materials (except PE, PP), mineral materials etc.
- Also glues mosses and ferns to decorations
- 80 ml black universal adhesive in resealable tube
JBL PROHARU RAPID
- Bonds plants, corals and small decorations
- Fixes moss, plants and coral pieces
- Hardens instantly
- Transparent colour
- 20 g in resealable tube with tip
JBL AquaSil black
- Special black silicone for the repair and production of frameless glass aquariums and bonding of decorative material (such as rock structures)
- For the use please follow the attached product information
- Harmless for fish, fast hardening, high adhesive strength
- TÜV type tested, after hardening: non-toxic, odourless and physiologically safe.
- Package contents: 1 special silicone, AquaSil black. Incl. cartridge, dosage nozzle and plunger