Name: JBL PROAQUATEST SiO2 REFILL
Brand: JBL
SKU: 2411900
Price: 8.18 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Healthy aquariums with conditions close to nature
The right water values are dependent on the fish stock and the plants in the aquarium. Even if the water looks clear it can be contaminated. With bad values diseases or algae can appear in the aquarium. To maintain a healthy aquarium with conditions close to nature it is important to check and adapt the water values regularly.

For each water analysis JBL provides water tests in the form of rapid tests or colour change tests. These determine a certain value or several values in one go. With these water tests you can recognise algae problems and negative nitrate, nitrite, potassium, magnesium values etc.

Why test?
Silicon is one of the most common elements in the world. As a result of the weathering of silicate rocks, silicon is washed into surface and ground water in the form of silicate. Depending on the composition of the rocks in a particular area, the mains water will contain varying amounts of dissolved silicate. The significance of silicon for aquariums and garden ponds is as a nutrient for diatoms, some aquatic plants, siliceous sponges and many other invertebrates.

JBL Online Laboratory
Regular monitoring for a healthy aquarium with conditions close to nature. Enter your water values into the JBL Online Laboratory and get an in-depth analysis of your values within seconds.

Recommended silicate values:
Freshwater aquarium (community aquarium): 0-2.0 mg/l
Lake Malawi/Lake Tanganyika aquarium: the silicate content is not relevant here because grazing fish species like eating diatoms
Plant aquarium with few fish (aquascaping): 0-2.0 mg/l
Marine water Aquarium: 0-1.0 mg/l
Pond: 0-2.0 mg/l

Unequal consumption of individual water test reagents

The liquids of one reagent are empty, the powder is still half-filled. Can't you just buy individual bottles? No, because the JBL refill packs always contain all the reagents as a set and need to be replaced together. There is a reason for this. The reagents age when they are first opened and should therefore be disposed of completely as soon as one of the reagent bottles is empty. The unequal consumption is due to the fact that some test procedures require an individual number of drops, depending on the existing value in the aquarium water. So one needs more, the other less. The liquids can be emptied completely. In the case of powder, you cannot use the quantity you need if there is only a residual amount left. Thus the quantity is on the generous side, so that the range is ensured even with low liquid consumption.

Where can I find the record sheets for the documentation of my water analysis?

Have you lost your record sheets, used them all up, or need them in another language?
In the appendix of this FAQ you will find PDF files for printing them out in German, English and French.

9789500 V05 PROAQUATEST Wasseranlayse PREVIEW.pdf

Why are there different recommendations and values on the colour chart of the water test?

With the JBL PROAQUATEST drop tests you have a laboratory comparator system which compensates the inherent colouration of the water and at the same time enables non-chemists to carry out an accurate and safe water analysis. To ensure that water testing monitors the life of your fish and provides the greatest possible safety, you will find an evaluation adaptable to three different applications.

Above the different coloured measuring points are numbers, three symbols and a colour band for each.

The symbols stand for the following applications:
Fish = freshwater
Koi = garden pond
Starfish = marine water

The colour band tells you the meaning of the value determined in green (everything OK), yellow (attention) and red (need for action). In addition you will find numbers that reflect the value in mg/l for the respective colour field.

The first two (freshwater and pond) colour bands belong to the upper number row. Marine water belongs to the lower number row.

Why do the values differ?
Due to the high salt concentration in marine water, the colouring of the reaction is not as intense as in freshwater (which also includes pond). Consequently, the value for the same colouration is greater than in freshwater

Why do the recommendations differ?
Every habitat reacts differently to certain nutrient concentrations. In the garden pond, for example, constantly changing temperatures and light intensity can jeopardise the value more than in freshwater, where, unlike in the pond, these factors are constant and necessary additives are supplied. That’s why the recommendations are green for one area of application, yet yellow for the other.

I have lost my colour chart. Can I download the colour chart for the test?

The colour cards are not available for download on the JBL website. The absolutely accurate colour reproduction that is required can only be achieved using a printer which can be re-calibrated before each printout. Most privately used printers are not accurate enough for this.

You will find the colour chart bundle as a spare part on the respective product page and in the spare parts shop under: https://www.jbl.de/en/products/detail/8732/jbl-proaquatest-assortiment-color-chart

The instructions point out that the comparator block should be used to compare the colours. Can this be done without the comparator block as well ? Or is there a factor from this comparison that is required for the measurement ?

The colour charts are intended to be used with the comparator block. In addition, when the comparator block is used with the blank water sample, this compensates the inherent water colour.

Therefore, if the comparator block is not used, there will most likely be deviations in the readings.

Show more FAQs ...

What can I do when the measured value of a water test falls outside the scale?

If one of your measurements reaches the end of the colour chart scale you can multiply the scale by diluting later tests with distilled water (e.g. JBL Dest).

Here’s how to do it: dilute the sample with distilled water and carry out the test once more.

This works in detail as follows:
GH test: Instead of 5 ml use 10 ml aquarium water. Now 1 drop is equivalent to 0.5 dGH.
KH test: Instead of 5 ml use 10 ml aquarium water. Now 1 drop is equivalent to 0.5 dGH.

Note: when using 10 ml sample water the colour development is weaker with the first drops than with 5 ml sample water. Put the measuring container on a white underlay for a better readability.

NH4/NH3 ammonium/ammonia, NO2 nitrite, Fe iron and Cu copper:
2.5 ml sample + 2.5 ml dist. water: result times 2
1 ml sample + 4 ml dist. water: result times 5
0.5 ml sample + 4.5 ml dist. water: result times 10

NO3 nitrate, SiO2 silicate, PO4 phosphate sensitive and Mg magnesium freshwater:
5 ml sample + 5 ml dist. water: result x 2
2 ml sample + 8 ml dist. water: result x 5
1 ml sample + 9 ml dist. water: result x 10

PO4 phosphate koi high range:
2.5 ml sample + 2.5 ml dist. water: result x 2
1 ml sample + 4 ml dist. water: result x 5

K potassium:
7.5 ml sample + 7.5 ml dist. water: result x 2
3 ml sample + 12 ml dist. water: result x 5
1.5 ml sample + 13.5 ml dist. water: result x 10

K potassium in marine water:
1. Fill 10 ml of sample water with distilled water to 300 ml.
2. Follow the instructions for fresh water.
3. Multiply the test result by a factor of 30.

CO2 direct, Ca calcium and Mg+Ca magnesium+calcium: not required.

Do my water tests still work although they have been open for nine months?

Basically a sealed test keeps longer than an open one. How much the shelf life is reduced depends crucially on the handling and the storage conditions of the reagents. It may happen that a reagent in a test that has been open for 9 months doesn’t indicate correctly any more. However, additional information is needed to answer this question properly.

The silicate concentration does not decrease after JBL SilikatEx (rapid) is used. The silicate test always shows a deep-blue to black colouration, which indicates more than 6 mg/l of silicate.

A reading of > 6 mg/l with the silicate test means that there are more than 6 mg/l of silicate in the water. It is not possible to check how many more silicates are present. There may be 10, 50 or even more mg/l of silicates. There are more than 40 mg/l in tap waters in many regions today. The respective water supplier can provide more detailed information or you can dilute the water to be measured with silicate-free water e.g. water that has been distilled twice prior to measuring. In the event that osmosis water is supposed to be used, its silicate content should also be measured. With 40 mg/l of silicates in the starting water JBL Osmose 120 is able to achieve a permeate with 0.4 – 1.2 mg/l of silicate.

Therefore, with silicate values this high, the lowering effect of JBL SilikatEx can only be checked by diluting the water before measuring it.

500 g JBL SilikatEx binds 5000 mg silicate out of the water.
400 g JBL SilikatEx Rapid binds approx. 12000 mg silicate out of the water.

Sample calculation:

100 l tank with 50 mg/l of silicate in the starting water:

100 l x 50 mg/l = 5,000 mg of silicate.

JBL TV #53 How do you carry out water tests correctly and what are the most common mistakes?

Water tests for aquarium water can be very important, especially when there are problems.

Animal species:	Armored catfish, Arowana, Axolotl, Barbels, Bettas, Bichirs/reedfish, Blowfish, Catfish, Cichlids (South America), Clawed frogs, Clawed shrimps, Corals, Crayfish, Crustaceans, Danions, Discus, Dwarf crayfish, Dwarf shrimps, Flowerhorn, Gill maggots, Gobies, Goldfish, Gouramis, Guppy, Juvenile fish, Killifish, Livebearers, Loaches, Mussels, Newts, Panchaxes, Rainbowfish, Snails, Spiny eels, Terrapins, Tetra, Tropical terrapin, Veiltails, Water turtles, blood parrot cichlids, freshwater butterflyfish
Animal size:	For all animal sizes
Animal age group:	All aquarium fish
Material:	Reagent(s) in plastic bottle(s) and/or glass bottle(s) + plastic and/or glass accessories. REFILL: reagent(s) without accessories.
Colour:	white / transparent / black
Dosage:	See instructions

Mercury:	No
Dimmable:	No

Height:	175 mm
Length:	106 mm
Width:	43 mm

Mercury:	No
Dimmable:	No

Height:	64 mm
Length:	72 mm
Width:	24 mm

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JBL PROAQUATEST SiO2 Silicate Quick test to determine the silicate content in freshwater & marine aquariums

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JBL PROAQUATEST SiO2 Silicate

Properties

Electronic label / illuminant

Technical Data

JBL PROAQUATEST SiO2 REFILL

Properties

Electronic label / illuminant

Technical Data

JBL TV #53 How do you carry out water tests correctly and what are the most common mistakes?

JBL TV #52 What kind of water do my aquarium fish need? What water values are ideal?

JBL PROAQUATEST - simple yet laboratory standard - Part II

JBL TV #45: Optimum water values in the freshwater aquarium - 15 parameters explained simply

Special case diatoms - What’s important?

JBL water tests - how to test correctly and reap the benefits

JBL TV #27: Testing aquarium water - this is how it works

Misunderstandings – typical beginner mistakes

Time For A Change - Pros And Cons

How often do you need to test your pond or aquarium water?

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Laboratory Comparator System to Compensate the Intrinsic Colour of the Water

Care products - The best solutions for your aquarium

Inaccurate water tests – or did I do something wrong after all?

Testing water – here’s how

Keeping an eye on the most important water values

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Diseases

Deficiency symptoms

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Marine water treatment

Testing water

Fish breeding in aquariums

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Water values

Plants

CO2 plant fertilisation

The marine aquarium

Biotope (habitat) aquarium types

Aquascaping aquarium type JBL Dreamscape®

Jungle aquarium type JBL Rio Pantanal®

Goldfish aquarium type JBL Goldfish Paradise®

Rocky reef aquarium type JBL Malawi Rocks®

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The right filter material

Marine water - the water

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JBL PROAQUATEST SiO2 Silicate
Quick test to determine the silicate content in freshwater & marine aquariums