Brand: JBL
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Nutrition for aquarium plants
Plants provide the aquarium with vital oxygen for the aquarium dwellers, prevent algae growth, remove pollutants, provide hiding places and reduce pathogens. The JBL plant fertiliser systems supply the plants with the main nutrient CO2 through the water. They absorb this through their leaves.

Easy to install
The system comes completely ready for connection. Screw the pressure reducer onto the CO2 storage cylinder. Connect the pressure reducer with the hose to the diffuser in the aquarium. The CO2 enters the aquarium and is dissolved in the water by the diffuser. The CO2 supply can be interrupted at night by adding a solenoid valve.

Safe
The storage cylinder is TÜV tested and is equipped with an overpressure relief. Thanks to the check valve no water can enter the cylinder. The enclosed stand prevents the cylinder from falling over. The capacity of a CO2 system depends on various factors. The carbonate hardness, the quantity and species of the plants and the strength of the water surface movement are decisive. A 500 g cylinder which is not switched off by a solenoid valve during the night lasts with its default adjustment for about 4 months.

Can you operate JBL ProFlora CO2 cylinders (disposable & reusable system) horizontally?

No, because this can lead to the destruction of your pressure reducer. To ensure safe operation, all storage cylinders should only be operated upright. Never operate them in a lying position or upside down.

How can I remove the hose from the device?

At first the air hoses and special CO2 hoses can easily be pushed on the connection piece. The hoses harden more and more as the months go on and can only be removed from the connection piece using great force. If you pull the hose hard it will only strain the connection, which could, in the worst case, even break off. Instead cut the hoses you want to remove laterally at the ends and carefully remove them. For this it’s always advisable to install hoses with some reserve in its hose length.

Why, when switching on the device, does an enormous, pulse-like bubble formation often occur at the CO2 diffuser?

When the electromagnetic valve is switched off, the pressure in the entire system from the cylinder to the pressure regulator and the tubes and to the electromagnetic valve persists. When the valve is opened, the pressure in the system escapes first and then the system continues to operate as usual.

You can decrease / prevent this by reducing the operating pressure in your pressure regulator. In our new pressure regulators, this can be done with an Allen wrench under the black cover top.

Bluish discolouration despite increased CO2 supply

Owing to a production fault a green colour change may not occur with the batches 1000 and 1001, despite increased CO2 supply.

Should you have one of the above mentioned batches, you can request a new refill set free of charge upon presentation of the sales receipt and a photo of the batch number. Please contact our customer service under: https://www.jbl.de/support/

What is the reach of a 500g CO2 cylinder?

There is no general answer to this question, as we do not know what the desired number of bubbles for your aquarium is. One bubble contains approx. 0.125 mg CO2, which corresponds to 4 million bubbles for a 500 g cylinder. At a consumption of 10 bubbles per minute (600 bubbles per hour), this corresponds to 6667 hours, which in turn corresponds to around 277 days or slightly longer than 9 months of unchanged CO2 supply.

Please note that this is a rough estimate and does not represent a guarantee about how many days you can actually get out of one pressurised gas cylinder.

Show more FAQs ...

Is my SafeStop damaged if I can’t blow through it?

The retaining spring in the check valve fits very tightly and ensures that no water can return. Therefore the air pressure of a diaphragm pump or our breath is not strong enough to open the spring. The valve can be opened by the pressure of the ProFlora bioCO2 systems and also the m and u series. Check valves used in air systems have a smaller counter-pressure and are also part of the JBL range.

Where did my algae come from?

Algae problems in an aquarium can never be traced to just one factor or general condition, and instead, are always the result of a combination of different factors, which include light, fertilization, water changes – specifically, how often and how much – feeding, fish population and, of course, the specific water parameters.

According to analyses that were performed over a course of a number of years, red algae, at least the common brush algae and beard algae, occur in descending order at the following parameters:

1) too little carbon dioxide (in relationship to 100 % of the measured tank); the pH level should be in the slightly acetic range, depending on the carbonate hardness, in every case.
2) elevated phosphate levels (over 90 %); phosphate limitation by means of JBL PhosEx ultra is often helpful here.
3) too little and too irregular fertilization (there should always be traces of iron at least).
4) insufficient water changes; a weekly water change of over 30 % is recommended for algae problems.
5) not enough fast-growing plants.

Towards the end of the filling process the cylinder pressure rapidly and significantly drops. Does this mean my system is broken?

The rapid drop in the cylinder pressure shortly before the end of the charge does not constitute grounds for complaint, and instead, is normal and unavoidable from a technical standpoint.

Reason: The cylinder is filled approximately halfway with liquid carbon dioxide. You remove gaseous CO₂ from the cylinder; the corresponding share of the liquid CO₂ passes to the gaseous phase; the pressure remains constant. It isn’t until less CO₂ passes from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase that the cylinder pressure begins to drop.

This means your system is functioning normally.

Is there anything I need to know when dealing with CO2 pressurised gas cylinders?

Please note two important points:

1) Cylinder: Reusable cylinders are TÜV tested and this is stamped on the cylinder. This test needs to be renewed every 10 years, with the bottom of the cylinder and the valve sealing and threaded joint being tested.

2) The carbon dioxide: Depending on its concentration, carbon dioxide is harmful in the air.
The respiratory rate and pulse rate increase at a carbon dioxide concentration of 3-5%. Other symptoms are headaches, discomfort and ringing in the ears. Carbon dioxide concentrations of 8-10% and more cause these symptoms to become more pronounced. This may lead to cramps, fainting, apnoea and death from suffocation.

One 500 g cylinder contains 500 g CO2. This is equal to 11.36 mol (chemical substance amount unit). One mol of a gaseous substance has a volume of 22.414 l under normal conditions (273.15 K, 101325 Pa), so that 500 g of CO2 result in a volume of 254.7 l. CO2 is heavier than air, so that it collects on the ground. This corresponds to a CO2 height level in the range of 12.735 mm = 1.27 cm for a room of 20 m². If it is mixed completely with the air in a room of 20 m² and a height of 2.5 m (corresponds to 50,000 l), this corresponds to a maximum gas concentration of 0.5 volume %, which is well below the dangerous level.

Can/May I also use auch compressed gas cylinders by other manufacturers?

The connections on reusable CO₂ systems are generally standardised so that they can be used with other cylinders, with the exception of a few cases.

However please note the following restrictions. Some larger-sized cylinders are not approved for non-stop operation with pressure reducers and you will lose your warranty claim if you use such systems.

How do I know that my CO2 pressure gas cylinder still has gas in it?

The cylinder pressure of 50 – 60 bar, depending on the room temperature, remains constant until the cylinder is almost completely empty. The easiest method is to weigh your CO2 cylinder incl. bracket when it is completely empty. This way you will know the exact tare weight of your CO2 cylinder with its attachment parts at any time. If you forget it you can read the tare weight on the CO2 cylinder (stamp marking at the neck of the cylinder) and add 0.5 kg for the safety bracket. A full m500 CO2 cylinder with security bracket weighs according to that tare + 1 kg (0.5 kg bracket + 0.5 kg filling) – a m2000 tare + 2.5 kg (0.5 kg bracket + 2 kg filling).

After installing the JBL ProFlora compressed gas system, no CO2 enters the reactor. However, the cylinder pressure and working pressure displayed are in the proper range.

Please check whether the check valve (JBL SafeStop) is installed properly. It should be installed as the last element before the reactor and with the tip of the arrow pointing to the reactor (JBL Taifun).

What’s the best way to deal with brush and beard algae?

1. Increase the volume of water changed each week to about 30-50%.

2. Fertilise regularly after each water change, e.g. with JBL Ferropol.

3. If necessary add a daily dose of Ferropol 24.

4. If algae promoting nutrients (especially phosphate) are present in higher quantities, use e.g. JBL PhosEx ultra to keep them under control.

5. Most important is carbon dioxide. Beard and brush algae are always a sign that there is too little carbon dioxide in the water. If a CO2 system is in use, increase its dosage. Alternatively consider installing a CO2 system like JBL ProFlora u401 or m601.

6. Put in fast growing stem plants as nutrient competitors.

7. If there is strong current, reduce it slightly.

Does the use of bubble stones and a strong current expel the important plant nutrient, CO2, from the water?

During aeration and/or when there is a strong current, a gas equilibrium is achieved between the ambient air and the water. As a result a corresponding but very low CO2 content occurs too. BUT this low CO2 content is far too low to for most aquarium plants to thrive. The aquarium owner is therefore dependent on an additional CO2 supply by a CO2 fertiliser system. The higher CO2 content this achieves is reduced or, as commonly referred to in aquatics, expelled by the aeration and strong current. Therefore well planted aquariums should only be slightly aerated at night, if required.

#jbldeal – Now you can benefit!

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Animal species:	Arowana, Axolotl, Barbels, Bettas, Bichirs/reedfish, Blowfish, Catfish, Cichlids (South America), Corals, Crayfish, Danions, Discus, Dwarf shrimps, Flowerhorn, Goldfish, Gouramis, Guppy, Juvenile fish, Killifish, Livebearers, Loaches, Mussels, Panchaxes, Rainbowfish, Snails, Spiny eels, Tetra, Veiltails, freshwater butterflyfish
Animal size:	For all animal sizes
Animal age group:	All aquarium fish
Volume habitat:	600 L
Material:	plastic (PC), metal (steel), metal (brass)
Colour:	multicoloured
Transport conditions:	Protect from direct sunlight during storage and transport and ensure good ventilation.

Mercury:	No
Dimmable:	No

Height:	435 mm
Length:	165 mm
Width:	165 mm
diameter:	165 mm

Products & Shop

JBL PROFLORA m502 Plant fertiliser system with refillable cylinder and night switch-off

JBL PROFLORA m502

Properties

Electronic label / illuminant

Technical Data

#jbldeal – Now you can benefit!

JBL TV #21: CO2 pressure reducers for aquariums. All about cylinder and thread types

JBL TV #19 Part 5: Aquarium set-up - CO2 plant fertiliser system

JBL TV #8: Do the plants in your aquarium grow exactly as you want them to?

JBL TV #1: Why do plants need a CO2 system in the aquarium?

Misunderstandings – typical beginner mistakes

Measuring the CO2 Content With Drop Test (VIDEO)

Outline: Fertilisation in the Aquarium

Components of a ProFlora CO2 System: The Right Setup

Plant aquarium in fast motion with or without CO2

From ProFlora CO2 system owner to tester, free of charge

Social Escape – an aquarium slowly and relaxingly takes shape and is the antidote to burn out.

Why plants grow better with CO2

Water values for water plants in detail

The story of liquid CO2 fertilisation – The Reliability

The story of liquid CO2 fertilisation – The CO2 Content

The story of liquid CO2 fertilisation – The Effect

The story of liquid CO2 fertilisation – The Substance

The story of liquid CO2 fertilisation

Why is carbon dioxide (CO2) the most important plant nutrient in the aquarium?

Interzoo 2016 – JBL ProFlora CO2 fertiliser systems now even better

Interzoo 2016 – Introducing JBL’s innovations at the world's leading trade fair

There’s more to fertilization than you’d think Part 2

Fertilization is not just fertilization Part 1

#HannoverScape2016 – Rankings

ProScape „Sulawesi Cliffs” by Jessica Runde

Oxygen Explosion in the Aquarium – The Right Fertilisation

Garten- & Zooevent 2015 – Innovations and Information

You ask, we answer: What’s the best way to fertilise an aquascape?

Now even more safety with the free JBL GarantiePlus

There is only one CO2 system which is better than the JBL ProFlora CO2 fertilisers

ProScape dosage calculator

Water Analysis Online Laboratory

GarantiePlus

Plant growth

Reducing problematic water values

Deficiency symptoms

Algae control

Plant care

Daily care

CO2

Fertilising

Plant species

Installation technical items

Plants

CO2 plant fertilisation

Biotope (habitat) aquarium types

Aquascaping aquarium type JBL Dreamscape®

Jungle aquarium type JBL Rio Pantanal®

Rocky reef aquarium type JBL Malawi Rocks®

Goldfish aquarium type JBL Goldfish Paradise®

Instructions

JBL PROFLORA m502Geb ProFlora m501-503 u501-502-504, m2003 V02

ProFlora "m" O-ring

ProFlora "u/m" flat seal

adapter UK for all flat-pin plugs

Cap Nut Air/CO₂ hose

CO2 Count safe spring + seal

CO2 Count safe retaining plate

CO2 Count safe holder kit

CO2 Count safe seal plate

CO2 Permanent colour charts

ProFlora m001+v002

ProFlora Allen key 6mm

tube screw connection 4/6 pressure reducer

Suction cup with clip 37 mm

PROFLORA Direct

PROFLORA m500 SILVER

PROFLORA m2000 SILVER

PROFLORA pH-Control Touch

PROFLORA CO2 Count Safe

PROFLORA SafeStop

PROFLORA T3

PROFLORA stand CO2 storage cylinder 500 g

JBL PROFLORA m502
Plant fertiliser system with refillable cylinder and night switch-off