API Proper pH 6.5 240g

API Proper pH 6.5 240g

API Proper pH 6.5 is a freshwater aquarium pH buffer and dechlorinator in powder form. It sets and stabilises water at pH 6.5 and is aimed at hobbyists keeping Tetras, Discus and Angelfish. The 240 g pack can be used when setting up a new tank or whenever you change water.

Key Benefits

• Automatically sets and stabilises aquarium water at pH 6.5, so you don't have to adjust it by trial and error.
• Removes chlorine and detoxifies heavy metals in the same dose, so no additional dechlorinator is needed when treating water with it.
• Contains electrolytes to help reduce fish stress.
• Uses a phosphate buffer, which is non-toxic to fish and easily "locks in" the pH for extended periods of time.
• Works best with Tetras, Discus and Angelfish.
• Safe with invertebrates.

How to Use

• Use it when setting up an aquarium, or when changing water.
• Add the powder to the aquarium water according to the dosage below.
• Test the pH afterwards. Only repeat the dose once your pH test shows a change of more than 0.2.
• Normally one dose will set the pH. Some tap water in freshwater aquariums is very hard or alkaline and strongly buffered at pH 8.0 and higher. In that case it may take two doses to overcome the natural buffers and reach the desired level, and it may be advisable to soften the water first.
• Cloudy water can happen when the powder is used in water with high hardness. To avoid hazy water, reduce hardness to 100 ppm CaCO3 first.

Dosage

• Add 1 scoop for every 10 gallons of aquarium water.
• Repeat the dose when a pH test indicates a pH change of more than 0.2.

Suitable For

• Freshwater aquariums housing Tetras, Discus and Angelfish.
• New tank set-ups and routine water changes.
• Tanks with invertebrates.

Compatibility

• Live plants: the powder binds to some trace elements that live plants need as nutrients, so it is not recommended for aquariums with live plants.
• Algae: phosphate buffers combine with essential trace elements such as iron, causing nutrient deficiencies. It should not be used in aquariums where algal growth is desirable.
• Cloudiness: any cloudiness is harmless. It is caused by hardness minerals coming out of solution and usually settles on its own in 24-48 hours. API Accu-Clear water clarifier can be used to improve it.
• KH test kits: the powder contains no carbonate hardness, but it will cause a spike in KH as measured with KH test kits. Phosphate buffers strongly resist pH change, so test kits read them just like bicarbonate and carbonate buffers.

Specifications

• Sets and stabilises pH at 6.5
• Phosphate-based buffer
• Powder format, dosed by the scoop
• Contains electrolytes
• Removes chlorine and detoxifies heavy metals

What's Included

• API Proper pH 6.5 powder, 240 g (8.5 oz)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does API Proper pH 6.5 actually do?
It is a pH buffer that sets aquarium water at a particular level, in this case pH 6.5. It also works as a dechlorinator, so you don't need to add a separate one when treating water with it.

My water went cloudy after dosing. Is it safe for my fish?
Yes, the cloudiness is harmless. It happens when the powder is used in water with high hardness and the hardness minerals come out of solution. It usually settles within 24-48 hours, and API Accu-Clear can help clear it. To avoid it, reduce hardness to 100 ppm CaCO3.

Why is my pH still high after one dose?
One dose normally sets the pH. Very hard or alkaline tap water that is strongly buffered at pH 8.0 and higher may need two doses to overcome the natural buffers. In that situation, softening the water first may be advisable.

Can I use it in a planted aquarium?
It is not recommended with live plants. The powders in API Proper pH 6.5, 7.0 and 7.5 bind to some trace elements that plants need as nutrients. It is safe with invertebrates.

Is it a phosphate buffer, and will it feed algae?
API Proper pH 6.5 is a phosphate buffer, and phosphate buffers are considered the most reliable for freshwater aquariums. They do not stimulate algae. They combine with trace elements such as iron and cause nutrient deficiencies, so avoid it where algal growth is desirable.

Will it raise my carbonate hardness (KH)?
It contains no carbonate hardness, but KH test kits will show a higher reading. These kits acidify a water sample drop by drop until a colour change marks the "end point", and a phosphate buffer resists that acidification just as carbonate buffers do. By contrast, API Proper pH 8.2 is a bicarbonate and carbonate buffer with no phosphate, and it does directly increase carbonate hardness.

When can I expect delivery?

• Gauteng (Jhb/Pta) - 1-3 working days
• Nationwide (Cpt/Dbn+) - 2-5 working days
• Outlying Areas - 3-7 working days

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