The JBL ProFlora u500 takes a unique engineering approach to CO2 injection: rather than placing a glass or ceramic diffuser on the tank glass, it delivers CO2 through a specialised plate buried beneath the substrate. CO2 bubbles percolate up through the substrate layer, increasing contact time with the water and achieving very high dissolution rates before reaching the water column. This system is particularly appealing to aquascapers who want to eliminate all visible equipment from inside the tank.
The regulator included in the u500 features an integrated solenoid valve for automated day/night CO2 cycling, preserving livestock safety during dark periods when CO2 levels rise naturally and plant consumption stops. A dual-gauge display shows cylinder pressure and working pressure for easy monitoring. The system is compatible with standard 500g CO2 cylinders available from most aquarium and welding supply retailers.
For planted tanks up to 200 litres, the u500 provides a complete and well-engineered CO2 solution that will serve hobbyists for many years. The under-gravel delivery method produces excellent plant growth results in planted tanks with an active substrate layer, as CO2 is distributed throughout the root zone alongside nutrient-rich substrate gases.
