JBL BioNitratEx
Biological filter material for the removal of nitrate

  • Biological filter material which is degraded by bacteria to remove algae-promoting nitrate from freshwater and marine water
  • Just add filter material to internal or external filter and only refill when it has been degraded by the bacteria after approx. 6 month
  • Bacteria settle on the bio balls and form a thick biofilm. Underneath the oxygen level drops, so that the bacteria there can remove oxygen from the nitrate and thus degrade it
  • Water stabilising effect: since pH decreasing acids are created during the bacterial degradation processes, the bio balls contain acid binding minerals to stabilise the water
  • Package contents: 100 bio balls for the nitrate breakdown in 200-300 litres aquarium water; 1 ball / 2-3 litres of water
Find out more
Price: 29,94 €
basic price 0.3 EUR /
Recommended retail price incl. VAT
You can find this item in your specialist and online shop
Product information

If you don’t get anything to eat you’ll starve to death:
Nitrates and phosphates form main nutrients for algae. If one or both nutrients are withdrawn from the water, the algae will stop growing! However, bacteria only break down nitrate under specific conditions. Only when there is no longer any oxygen, but there is a carbon source (a nutrient for bacteria) available, do the bacteria remove the oxygen from the nitrate, thus breaking it down.

That’s how JBL BioNitratEx works:
Bacteria settle on the surface of the JBL BioNitratEx balls within about 4 weeks and form a thick biofilm. Beneath the biofilm a low-oxygen zone forms, in which the bacteria then switch to "nitrate respiration" to degrade the algae-promoting nitrate (NO3). The bio balls serve the bacteria as food and the nitrate serves as a supplier of oxygen. That’s why the bio balls become smaller as time goes by (easy to check visually) and disappear completely. This takes about 6-12 months, depending on the nitrate pollution. Then you’ll need to replace the bio balls.

Snails: If lots of snails reach the JBL BioNitratEx balls they will eat the biofilms from the balls’ surface. As a result oxygen will reenter the lowest bacterial layers, which then will no longer need to dissolve the oxygen from the nitrate in order to break it down with it. If you have a lot of snails it is better to put the JBL BioNitrat Ex balls into a fine bag to block the snails’ access.

The difference to JBL NitratEx:
JBL BioNitratEx works on a purely biological basis through bacterial nitrate breakdown. In contrast JBL NitratEx is a synthetic resin which binds nitrate from the water (freshwater only!) and replaces it with harmless chloride (ion exchanger function principle). The advantage of this system is that it works quickly and you can use it to remove nitrate from tap or well water etc.

Videos
Details

JBL BioNitratEx

Art. no.:
6253600
EAN Code:
4014162625366
Content:
100 pcs.
For:
200-300 l
Volume packaging:
1.05 l
Gross weight:
252 g
Net weight:
210 g
Weight factor:
0
Packaging dimensions (l/h/w):
43/225/125 mm

Properties

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, Tetra, Tropical terrapin, Veiltails, Water turtles, blood parrot cichlids, freshwater butterflyfish
Animal size: For all animal sizes
Animal age group: All aquarium fish
Volume habitat: 90-300 L (80-120cm)
Material: Bioplastics (PHA polyhydroxyalkanoate)
Colour: natural
Dosage: 100 balls for 200l aquarium water

Electronic label / illuminant

Mercury: No
Dimmable: No
FAQ
Do bio-filter balls for nitrate removal have to be replaced after a while?

No, it is not necessary to replace the JBL BioNitratEx filter balls for nitrate removal. The balls are broken down by the bacteria and the carbon source they contain is used for nitrate removal. After 6 months you’ll need to refill the missing quantity (1 ball per 2-3 l water). Please do not remove the remaining balls, as they serve to inoculate the newly added balls. Please note that the balls need to be embedded in a layer of fine filter fleece so that the smallest parts of the degradation do not get into the other filter material. In marine water, the additional use of activated carbon is recommended to avoid initial cloudiness.

What is the diameter of a JBL BioNitratEx ball?

The diameter is 20 – 20.5 mm.

How does JBL BioNitrat Ex act?

JBL BioNitrat Ex acts more slowly than JBL NitratEx, with so-called denitrification by bacteria forming the basis. The material can be effective for up to 12 months.

Can I use BioNitratEx with an internal filter as well?

Yes, of course, you can also use BioNitratEx in an internal filter. We have inserts for the internal filter series that are just for this purpose.

Where did my algae come from?

Algae problems in an aquarium can never be traced to just one factor or general condition, and instead, are always the result of a combination of different factors, which include light, fertilization, water changes – specifically, how often and how much – feeding, fish population and, of course, the specific water parameters.

According to analyses that were performed over a course of a number of years, red algae, at least the common brush algae and beard algae, occur in descending order at the following parameters:

1) too little carbon dioxide (in relationship to 100 % of the measured tank); the pH level should be in the slightly acetic range, depending on the carbonate hardness, in every case.
2) elevated phosphate levels (over 90 %); phosphate limitation by means of JBL PhosEx ultra is often helpful here.
3) too little and too irregular fertilization (there should always be traces of iron at least).
4) insufficient water changes; a weekly water change of over 30 % is recommended for algae problems.
5) not enough fast-growing plants.

Blog (opinions & experiences)

BL TV 40: Selection of filter material for the aquarium - Biological. Mechanical. Troubleshooter.

Why are there different types of activated carbon? What is sintered glass filter material and where in the filter do you place the dedicated filter materials?

Find out more

JBL TV #32: Quick and easy cleaning tips - for internal & external filters

Sooner or later your aquarium filter will get dirty. This is how to clean it properly.

Find out more

What's going on in the filter - How murder and bacteria make the water clear

The aquarist isn’t even aware he has committed mass murder by his well-intentioned addition of salt and now a tidal wave of problems is heading his way.

Find out more

JBL TV #28 Part 4: Aquarium care is so easy! Monthly tasks.

How to care for your aquarium properly: What do you need to do every month?

Find out more

Biotope Aquatics Part 3: Southeast Asia, Vietnam: Tram Chim Melaleuca Forests, Dong Thap Province

Lots of leaves on the ground, some half rotten wood as roots, which look like they are jutting into the aquarium and a few nymphaea plants on one side.

Find out more

Misunderstandings – typical beginner mistakes

Based on our own experience in customer service and the many messages and questions we receive, we have put together the typical mistakes beginners may make. The experienced aquarist might well smile, but if they are honest, these are mistakes we all made at the start, aren’t they?

Find out more

Outline: Fertilisation in the Aquarium

The JBL plant care concept leads to vigorous and healthy growth even with the most demanding aquatic plants. JBL has all the components you need, whether it’s a fertiliser, a bottom substrate or a fully automatic CO2 fertiliser system.

Find out more

Which is the Best Filter Media?

Special filter media can also be used to target and remove any problem substances, such as nitrate or phosphate, from the aquarium water. This table gives you an outline:

Find out more

Keeping an eye on the most important water values

Professional water analysis sounds very expensive. But the professional water testing in your aquarium or pond at home also works on a high level and above all it is simple and inexpensive.

Find out more

Water values for water plants in detail

If we transfer this Liebig’s Law of the Minimum to the aquatic field it quickly becomes clear how important balanced fertilisation is for plant aquariums.

Find out more
Press

07.08.2018

Degrading nitrate is not as easy as you think

Developing a filter material to counteract algae-promoting nitrate (NO3) is no easy matter. Bacteria only degrade nitrate when the oxygen content in water is practically non-existent and carbon is present as a food source for them.

Find out more

11.09.2017

JBL Nitrate Remover: Simply Professional

High nitrate values mostly lead to algae problems and are thus undesirable. The new JBL filter material JBL BioNitrat Ex “NEW“ is the perfect solution:

Find out more
Reference guide (Themeworld)

Marine water

There is a solution to almost every problem! And the hardest part is finding the cause of the problem.

Reducing problematic water values

How to lower critical water values.

Deficiency symptoms

Here’s how to prevent deficiency symptoms in fish and plants

Algae control

Here’s how to combat algae successfully and lastingly.

Daily care

How much daily or weekly care is involved? What are the basic maintenance measures for your aquarium?

Water values

Which water tests are important? How can you achieve perfect water values?

Water treatment

What does water treatment mean? How do you make tropical water using tap water?

UV-C

Would you like to get your green water clear again? Would you like to decrease the germ counts in the aquarium water? Would you like to use technical items instead of liquid preparations to clear your water?

The right filter material

What sort of filter material to choose? What filter material solves which problems? How can you clean it? Where does it need to be positioned in the filter?

Aquarium filters and aquarium accessories

Why is a filter important? What function does your filter have? What do you have to look out for when choosing a filter? What types of filter are available?

The marine aquarium

Holiday at the coral reef - in your own living room! Marine aquariums are the most exciting branch of aquatics

Biotope (habitat) aquarium types

A real piece of the Amazon or, with the Congo, a piece of the heart of Africa. A habitat (biotope) aquarium is a challenge. Can you emulate nature?

Jungle aquarium type JBL Rio Pantanal®

A bit of jungle river in your living room. Lively underwater action! No problem with the JBL Rio Pantanal® aquarium

Rocky reef aquarium type JBL Malawi Rocks®

The fish of Lake Malawi are as colourful as the fish in the coral reefs. This aquarium brings a bit of freshwater reef into your living room

Goldfish aquarium type JBL Goldfish Paradise®

Lively goldfish in the aquarium enhance any room perfectly! Invite some new flatmates into your home with this goldfish aquarium.

Aquascaping aquarium type JBL Dreamscape®

Mountains, valleys, meadows and fish! Create your dreamlike landscape under water with the Dreamscape® aquarium
Download

Instructions

safety instructions

  • safety instruction for accessories
    • Filename:
      safety_instructions_zubehoer.pdf
    Download
Customer reviews

Reviews

Overall rating: 5.0
5 public review(s) for this product.

0 Reviews

5 more reviews in other languages

5 Reviews in other languages

Smells_Like_Seawater - German
2022-02-13T21:09:15Z

Einfach super ich benutz dieses Produkt bei meinem Außenfilter im Meerwasseraquarium und bin sehr zufrieden damit.

Gruß Martin


diskusowner - German
2022-01-18T19:25:05Z

Das Produkt hat sich in der Beschreibung tatsächlich sehr interessant angehört, so sehr das ich sehr skeptisch wurde. Nunja was soll ich sagen. Nachdem ich es benutzt habe sank der Nitratwert significant und ich war sprachlos. Unbedingt weiter zu empfehlen


malawi_aquaristic - German
2021-12-02T11:56:53Z

In meinem Aufzuchtbecken sind seit einiger Zeit immer mal Fische gestorben, ohne ersichtlichen Grund. Bis ich festgestellt habe, dass der Nitrat-Wert zu hoch ist. Daraufhin habe ich BioNitratEx in meinen Filter gegeben und es war eine deutliche Besserung der Nitrat-Werte erkennbar. Dennoch sollten natürlich regelmäßige Wasserwechsel nicht fehlen!

Das Produkt kann ich jedem empfehlen, der Probleme mit seinen Nitrat-Werten hat!


langlang_shrimps langlang_design - German
2021-09-26T21:22:28Z

Ein sehr tolles Produkt welches ich in jedem meiner Außenfilter verwende! Ein Bio Filtermedium darf in einem Außenfilter nicht fehlen. Meine Aquarien laufen mit den Außenfilter von JBL und den verschiedenen Filtermedien sehr gut und stabil. Eine klare Empfehlung!


german_monstertank - German
2021-05-20T21:34:50Z

Ein tolles Produkt !

Auch für Aquarium Neulinge leicht zu verstehen ist das Medium weg wird es Zeit für neues 😄👍


A word about cookies before we continue

The JBL Homepage also uses several types of cookies to provide you with full functionality and many services: We require technical and functional cookies to ensure that everything works when you visit this website. We also use cookies for marketing purposes. This ensures that we recognise you when you visit our extensive site again, that we can measure the success of our campaigns and that the personalisation cookies allow us to address you individually and directly, adapted to your needs - even outside our website. You can determine at any time - even at a later date - which cookies you allow and which you do not allow (more on this under "Change settings").

The JBL website uses several types of cookies to provide you with full functionality and many services: Technical and functional cookies are absolutely necessary so that everything works when you visit this website. In addition, we use cookies for marketing purposes. You can determine at any time - even at a later date - which cookies you allow and which you do not (more on this under "Change settings").

Our data protection declaration tells you how we process personal data and what purposes we use the data processing for. tells you how we process personal data and what purposes we use the data processing for. Please confirm the use of all cookies by clicking "Accept" - and you're on your way.

Are you over 16 years old? Then confirm the use of all cookies with "Noticed" and you are ready to go.

Choose your cookie settings

Technical and functional cookies, so that everything works when you visit our website.
Marketing cookies, so that we recognize you on our pages and can measure the success of our campaigns.

PUSH messages from JBL

What are PUSH messages? As part of the W3C standard, web notifications define an API for end-user notifications that are sent to the user's desktop and/or mobile devices via the browser. Notifications appear on the end devices as they are familiar to the end user from apps installed on the device (e.g. emails). Notifications appear on the end user’s device, just like an app (e.g. for emails) installed on the device.

These notifications enable a website operator to contact its users whenever they have a browser open - it doesn’t matter whether the user is currently visiting the website or not.

To be able to send web push notifications, all you need is a website with a web push code installed. This allows brands without apps to take advantage of many of the benefits of push notifications (personalised real-time communications at just the right moment).

Web notifications are part of the W3C standard and define an API for end user notifications. A notification makes it possible to inform the user about an event, such as a new blog post, outside the context of a website.

JBL GmbH & Co. KG provides this service free of charge, and it is easy to activate or deactivate.