Anyone Using Jbl Proflora Co2?

[davys]

Folks,

Been thinking about trying out a Co2 system on my Juwel Rio 180. I'm totally new to using Co2 and after a bit of research I'm thinking of trying the JBL Proflora Profi 1 set up http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/technic...ories/co2/19466

I've not came across any reviews for it though, so if there's anyone out there using this system, or has used it in the past, I'll be very grateful to hear your opinions. Particularly interested to hear opinions on set up/ease of use, and suitablility for a beginner. Many thanks.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Folks,

Been thinking about trying out a Co2 system on my Juwel Rio 180. I'm totally new to using Co2 and after a bit of research I'm thinking of trying the JBL Proflora Profi 1 set up http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/technic...ories/co2/19466

I've not came across any reviews for it though, so if there's anyone out there using this system, or has used it in the past, I'll be very grateful to hear your opinions. Particularly interested to hear opinions on set up/ease of use, and suitablility for a beginner. Many thanks.

These regulators work fine (I do perfer my aquamedic one though) but the diffuser is really ugly. It may acually work quite well, but looks awful in the tank ! ( I think most people replace them )
You may also want to consider getting spending a little more and getting he Profi 2 setup that includes a solenoid valve to use as a night time shut off valve (when plugged into a simple timer socket).
This stops CO2 being fed into the tank at night when it's not needed by the plants and thus makes your CO2 last significantly longer, they also make life much easier .... and saves you money !

Before buying this kit, I think it's advisable to investigate where you would get the bottles recharged.
Not sure of your location ( I'm assuming UK from the UK website you linked to ), but lots of people in the UK struggle to find a LFS that does refills .... try ringing some in your area and ask them. Better to find out now than once your CO2 runs out !

If in the UK and there is a Maidenhead Aquatics near you, they usually provide a refill service. A refill typically costs about £13 +/- £2.

If you are going to have problems topping up your CO2, you could always look at just purchasing a regulator and then using a CO2 fire extinguisher (do a search on the forum for more info) or you could use a system with disposable cylinders, like this one from Aqua Essentials . Also check out their glass diffusers, far better looking than the JBL offering !


P.S Welcome to the forum !

 

[Waterloo Kid]

I've just set up my Profi 2 kit. It took me about 2 minutes to get it sorted. I can confirm that the diffuser is about as hideous as they come. In the future I will be swapping to a glass beatle type diffuser or something (with a bubble counter). I did start by trying to use the ladder from my Nutrafin yeast set but too much CO2 was wasted. It wasn't long enough. The adjustment on the regulator is a bit sensitive but not a real problem.
My biggest comment is that the cylinder is too tall to place in the Juwel cupboard (I have a Rio 400) without removing the middle shelf. A bit of a pain!
Apart from that the kit is OK. The one I have has a european plug (for the solenoid) but an adaptor is dirt cheap. I have it plugged into the same timer as my main lights so it turns off automatically with the lights.

 

[MoreCoffee]

One other thing to remember about getting the cylinder refilled ......

Some places will do a 'bottle exchange' where they take your empty bottle and give you a full one in return.
Nothing really wrong with that, however it can be annoying when you had over a nice new bottle (these cost about £50 when new) and they give you a chipped, rusty old thing in return !

..... OK so looks aren't everything, it's the gas that counts and you've got that. But if not getting your own bottle back in return you should check the pressure test date of the bottle you are given (especially if it looks old).

JBL bottles have a manufacture/test date stampped into the metal casing of the bottle. This is also worth checking / asking if buying a second hand set ... Ebay etc. The same applies to fire extinguishers.

This date is good for 10 years, I dont think there will be too many bottles out there over 10 years old, but it's worth checking .... I've got a quite new looking one that has a date of 1999 on it, so dont just assume it's in date. They may give you one that is in date NOW, but will it be in date when you want to get it filled again !

.... hope that is of some help

 

[davys]

Mr G and WK...very many thanks for your very speedy and informative replies. Having done a wee bit of research, I've decided to take your advice Mr G and plump for the DD set up you mentioned - found it online for 99 pounds (I'm in Glasgow), and was also able to download a pdf of the instructions. It would seem for my size of tank it should last for a good few months (if I apply the plumbers tape properly!), especially if I attach the solenoid to a timer, so thanks again for the link.

Waded through all the fire extinguisher advice available on this forum - how naughty, but nice - will keep this in mind for the future Thanks again guys.