API Proper pH 7.5 260g

API Proper pH 7.5 260g

API Proper pH 7.5 260g is a powdered freshwater aquarium pH buffer and dechlorinator. It automatically sets and stabilises pH at 7.5 while removing chlorine and detoxifying heavy metals. It is made for keepers of goldfish, barbs, Central American cichlids and common livebearers who want a steady pH when setting up a tank or doing a water change.

Key Benefits

• Automatically sets and stabilises aquarium water at pH 7.5, then holds it there.
• Removes chlorine, so no separate dechlorinator is needed when you treat water with this powder.
• Detoxifies heavy metals in the water.
• Contains electrolytes to help reduce fish stress and support overall health.
• Works as a phosphate buffer. Phosphate buffers are non-toxic to fish and easily "lock in" the pH for extended periods.
• Suits both new aquarium set-ups and routine water changes.

How to Use

• Test your water regularly. If it does not read at the pH you want, add Proper pH 7.5 to adjust it and hold it at 7.5.
• Use it when setting up an aquarium or when performing a water change.
• Normally, one dose sets the pH.
• Some tap water is very hard or alkaline and strongly buffered at pH 8.0 or higher. In that case it may take two doses to overcome the natural buffers and reach a suitable pH. Softening the water first may be advisable.
• Temporary cloudiness can occur when the powder is used in water with high hardness. The hardness minerals come out of solution, which is harmless to fish. It usually settles on its own in 24-48 hours, and API Accu-Clear water clarifier may be used to improve it.
• To avoid hazy water, reduce hardness to 100 ppm CaCO3 before dosing.

Dosage

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

Suitable For

pH measures how acidic or alkaline water is. A reading of 7.0 is neutral, values above 7.0 are alkaline and values below 7.0 are acidic. Different fish need different pH levels to stay healthy, which is why regular testing matters. A pH of 7.5 suits:

• Goldfish
• Barbs
• Central American cichlids
• Common livebearers such as mollies, swordtails and guppies

Compatibility

• Invertebrates: safe to use with invertebrates.
• Live plants: not recommended. The powders in Proper pH 6.5, 7.0 and 7.5 bind to some trace elements that live plants need as nutrients.
• Algae: phosphate buffers do not stimulate algae growth. They combine with essential trace elements such as iron, which causes nutrient deficiencies. Do not use this product in aquariums where algal growth is desirable.
• KH test kits: this product contains no carbonate hardness, but it will cause a spike in KH readings. KH test kits acidify the water sample drop by drop with a reagent until a colour change shows the "end point", and the number of drops indicates KH. Phosphate buffers strongly resist pH change, so they are measured just like bicarbonate and carbonate buffers.

Specifications

• Set pH: 7.5
• Form: powder
• Buffer type: phosphate buffer
• Also: dechlorinates, detoxifies heavy metals, contains electrolytes
• Application rate: 1 scoop per 10 gallons of aquarium water
• Re-dose trigger: pH change of more than 0.2
• Net weight: 260 g (9.2 oz)

What's Included

• One 260 g (9.2 oz) pack of pH 7.5 buffer powder

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need a dechlorinator when using this powder?
No. Proper pH powders are pH buffers that also work as dechlorinators, so no additional dechlorinator is needed when you treat water with them.

My water went cloudy after dosing. Is it safe for my fish?
Yes, the cloudiness is harmless. It happens in hard water, when hardness minerals come out of solution, and usually clears by itself in 24-48 hours. Lowering hardness to 100 ppm CaCO3 beforehand helps avoid it, and API Accu-Clear can be used to improve clarity.

Why is my pH still high after one dose?
Some tap water is very hard or alkaline and strongly buffered at pH 8.0 and higher. It may take two doses to overcome those natural buffers, and softening the water first may be advisable.

Can I use it in a planted aquarium?
It is not recommended with live plants. The powder binds to some trace elements that plants need as nutrients. It is safe with invertebrates.

Does a phosphate buffer feed algae or raise carbonate hardness?
It does not stimulate algae. It binds trace elements such as iron, so avoid it in tanks where algal growth is wanted. It adds no carbonate hardness, but KH test kits will still show a higher reading. By comparison, API Proper pH 8.2 is a bicarbonate and carbonate buffer with no phosphate, and it directly raises carbonate hardness.

How often should I re-dose?
Test the water, and repeat the dose of 1 scoop per 10 gallons when your pH test shows a change of more than 0.2.

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

All orders are sent via Economy Road, typically through Fastway or Internet Express Couriers*. Estimated timeframes are not guaranteed. Once the order is collected by the courier, we have no control over third-party logistics and cannot make any time promises.

If you prefer a faster 🚀 shipping option, we also offer The Courier Guy during checkout in the dropdown selection. Please note that this option is not free, and you must choose it to use it. Please pay careful attention to the cutoff times and delivery timeframe for these options during checkout.

Enjoy the convenience of collection points and lockers! 📦

No more waiting at home or at work for your delivery. Simply choose a collection locker or pickup point and collect your order when it suits you.

Delivery times to lockers and pickup locations typically range from 2–7 working days, depending on your location.*

Search a PUDO Location Near You

Collection timeframes:

• Bob Box: Collect within 2 days of receiving your collection notification.
• PUDO Lockers: Collect within 36 hours of receiving your collection PIN or SMS notification.

If a PUDO parcel is not collected within 36 hours, it will automatically be transferred to the nearest PUDO Kiosk or Depot at no additional cost. The parcel will then be held there for approximately 2 days before being returned.

Please ensure you collect your parcel within the applicable collection period. Uncollected parcels will be returned to the sender, and additional shipping charges may apply should the order need to be resent.