droplet test and JBL ProScan im Test and comparison: Measuring water values can be tedious. Especially when you have to monitor a large number of water parameters. GH, KH, PH, phosphate, iron egg, NO3 nitrate, NO2 nitrite, Ci2 chlorine or also Co2 are usually measured with droplet tests. Now there is a fairly new way to analyze these values, or part of them, together with the help of an app and a simple way. The whole thing is called JBL Proscan and we will show you what it can do and how to use it. There are also some tests and experiences on the net and also comparisons to conventional methods.
What is JBL Proscan strip test and app anyway
We have often reported on the water test with conventional droplets in our guides. JBL now has a special system that uses stripes. The following values are measured.
- NO3 value which corresponds to nitrate
- NO2 value which corresponds to nitrite
- GH which corresponds to the total hardness of the water
- KH which corresponds to the carbonate hardness of the water
- pH which corresponds to the PH value of the water
- CI2 which corresponds to the chlorine content of the water
- CO2 which corresponds to carbon dioxide in water
8 values can be measured in one go. Certainly one of the great advantages.
For this you need the strips from JBL and of course a smartphone with the appropriate app. This is available for both Android and iOS. These can be downloaded from the respective store. Free of charge. A code was placed on the packaging.
Once you have downloaded the app, you can start the first test. To do this, you simply have to press the Start Quick Scan button and you will also receive instructions on what to do now. While the time of 60 seconds is running out in the app, you first have to dip the measuring strip (you should have this ready beforehand) for 2 – 3 seconds in the aquarium water and then shake it off properly.
After 60 seconds, the camera / photo of the mobile phone is activated and you have to photograph the measuring strip on the designated place on the measuring and color card.
After the scan, you quickly get an overview of the measured values. This process can be carried out again and again and you can even see a history in the app and thus also a trend of how these have changed. Unfortunately only the last 5 measurements, which we find a bit bad.
The recommendations for action should also be mentioned. Here, especially the beginner has a good support in the interpretation of the results.
Instructions for using the JBL Proscan strip test
Nn but again a short step-by-step guide on how to use the test correctly.
- Take a new strip from the sealed JBL tube
- Prepare the aquarium
- Start the app and the quick scan
- Dip the strip in the for 2-3 seconds aquarium water
- Drain the strip well
- Wait until the app switches to scan mode
- Place the strip on the color card
- Now scan this – be careful, there should be good light and no shadows
- Analyze your values
Analysis of the individual values
We do not want to explain at this point what the individual values mean and how they are interpreted. For this we have a guide to aquarium chemistry. Still, a few words about the ad. Due to the colors green, yellow and red, you can quickly see where which value is and where any problems are.
Advantages and disadvantages of the JBL Proscan strip test
Advantages of the JBL Proscan strip test
- Fast measurement
- Several values can be measured simultaneously
- Good record of values
- Historical analysis also possible later
- Easy to read and evaluate
- Can also be used for color blindness and color weaknesses
- Very suitable for beginners
- Can also be used for the garden pond
Disadvantages of the JBL Proscan strip test
- Usually less precise than the droplet test
- Values are very related to plant tanks
- Not all important values available
- More expensive than the other test strip test
- Only the last 5 values in history
- App could be improved
- Measurement result depends on the smartphone / light and camera
Comparison and test to the conventional droplet test
Finally, we found a video that shows a test and also a comparison to the droplet test. This shows that the drop test is more complex, but also more accurate.