Healthy plant growth is based on the following three main pillars: A supply of light, a supply of CO₂ and an adequate/optimal supply of mineral nutrients. The supply of nutrients is described by Liebig’s Law of the Minimum. According to this concept, the nutrient which is available in the minimum amount limits the growth of plants regardless of whether it is a microelement or a macroelement. Microelements are trace elements which plants need in small amounts, whereas macroelements are used for growth in larger amounts. In a well-planted aquarium, both microelements and macroelements are consumed in large amounts. Particularly when the fish population is small, the microelements, as well as the macroelements of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, quickly drop down to the minimum. JBL ProScape Fe +Microelements, which contains all of the necessary trace elements in a finely balanced formulation, is ideally suited for the basic supply of microelements.

The fertilizers of the ProScape range are aimed at everyone who wants to have luxuriant plant growth in the aquarium. Both the ProScape beginner (Expert) and the plant specialist (Professional) will find a suitable fertilizing concept to achieve this goal. Every product packaging features a honeycomb pattern which guides the user to the relevant products. The ProScape Expert is guided, together with the FE + Microelements, to the ProScape NPK Macroelements. This combination represents the basic fertilization for every ProScape. In addition it can be referred to the individual fertilizer components, to adjust precisely the N, P and K levels.

The ProScape Professional is guided, together with the Fe + Microelements, to the individual fertilizer components N, P and K Macroelements. Here, after measuring the consumption with JBLTestlab tests, the individual fertilizer components can be precisely re-dosed. Thus the fertilization is individually determined by the plant growth and based on actual requirements. In addition JBL provides Mg- Macroelements for the Professional aquarists. This fertilizer is beneficial even for the Expert, as the importance of magnesium in the field of plant growth cannot be underestimated.

Trace elements play an essential role in all vital functions. For example, iron is required to synthesise the green leaf pigment, chlorophyll; cobalt, copper, manganese and zinc are so-called Co factors of proteins, without which proteins would not be able to carry out their respective functions, and boron plays an important role in the regulation of calcium metabolism and sugar transport within the plant. The concentrations of these micro trace elements in the drinking waters usually used in aquariums vary considerably, depending on the water supplier. However, drinking water generally tends to have low concentrations of these minerals. It is advisable to determine the current potassium concentration of the water with the JBL Fe Test Set in order to find the right dosage of the JBL ProScape Fe +Microelements fertiliser. Here, iron can be used as a summary indicator for the other trace elements. Nowadays, iron concentration can be determined with sufficient precision by using standard aquatic tests, so that the result can be used to check the supply of microelements. JBL ProScape Fe +Microelements supplies the tank water with all of the necessary trace elements, while also furnishing the required macroelements, potassium and magnesium.

The normal dosage is 10 ml/100 l of water for a very well-lit tank with >= 1 W/l of illumination and 5 ml/100 l of water for a tank that is not as well lit. The supply of carbon dioxide must also be considered. The following table shows recommended fertiliser concentrations according to the general conditions of the aquarium.

As actual precise consumption cannot be predicted, we recommend regularly checking the iron level with the JBL Fe Test Set, especially prior to each follow-up dose.