Name: JBL PROAQUATEST PO4 REFILL
Brand: JBL
SKU: 2412800
Price: 12.32 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (8 reviews)

Healthy aquarium/healthy pond with conditions close to nature
The right water values depend on the fish stock and the plants in the aquarium/pond. Even if the water looks clear it can be contaminated. With bad values diseases or algae can appear in the aquarium/pond. To maintain a healthy aquarium/pond 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 quick 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?
In an aquarium, phosphate primarily enters the water as a result of the digestive processes of the fish or in the form of food remains. In ponds, phosphate primarily enters the water as a result of leaves and dying pond plants/algae. If conditions are unfavourable, the phosphate levels may reach values that are sometimes 100 times higher, and more, than natural levels. Undesirable algae will then multiply exponentially as an inevitable consequence.

Recommended phosphate values:
Freshwater aquarium (community aquarium): 0-0.4 mg/l
Lake Malawi/Lake Tanganyika aquarium: 0-0.4 mg/l
Plant aquarium with few fish (aquascaping): 0.1-1.5 mg/l
Marine aquarium: 0-0.1 mg/l
Pond: <0.05 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.

Are polyphosphates in the aquarium detected by a PO4 drop test?

No, the drop tests JBL PROAQUATEST PO4 Phosphate Koi and JBL PROAQUATEST PO4 Phosphate Sensitive do not detect polyphosphates. Depending on the pH value, the polyphosphates decompose slowly in the aquarium. As soon as they have decomposed, the two tests can detect the phosphate inside.

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.

What happens if I use the wrong side of the spoon for the powder?

Your test result will remain clear or appear slightly yellow, although phosphate may be present. If your test kit has not expired or has been open for more than 9-12 months, this is a clear indication that you have used the wrong side of the spoon.
The small side of the spoon should only be levelly filled and is in the place normally used to hold it. For clarification, take a look at the picture below.

PO4-Loeffelseite.jpg

Show more FAQs ...

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.

Why does the JBL Phosphat Test sensitive contain such a small amount of Reagent 1 ?

Only a small measuring spoon (the narrow end of the enclosed double spoon) of Reagent 1 is required.

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.

The phosphate test doesn't show any blue colouration, but instead shows a slightly yellowish colouration, which is not on the colour chart.

This is probably due to an error in use. The JBL Phosphate Test sensitive requires the following reagents:

1) 1 small level measuring spoon (narrow end of the enclosed double spoon) of reagent 1.
2) 10 drops of reagent 2.
3) Shake the sample lightly.
4) Allow 10 minutes for the colour to develop and then read the phosphate level using the comparator block.

It is important to use one small measuring spoon of Reagent 1 and not a large measuring spoon.

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.

JBL TV #62 Pond care in spring - Preparing for summer

Spring is the time to pave the way for summer in the pond.

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:	48 mm
Width:	24 mm

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JBL PROAQUATEST PO4 Phosphate Sensitive Quick test to determine the phosphate content in fresh and marine water aquariums and ponds

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JBL PROAQUATEST PO4 REFILL

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Electronic label / illuminant

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JBL PROAQUATEST PO4 Phosphate Sensitive
Quick test to determine the phosphate content in fresh and marine water aquariums and ponds