{"product_id":"api-ph-proper-6-5-powder-jar-240gm","title":"API pH Proper 6.5 Powder Jar 240gm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuffers to 6.5 and holds it, rather than nudging pH once and leaving it to drift.\u003c\/strong\u003e API Proper pH 6.5 is a powdered buffer for freshwater aquariums that sets pH to 6.5 and resists the tank's natural drift back — suited to soft-water communities such as tetras, rasboras, discus and other Amazonian species. It doses at 2 teaspoons (or one supplied scoop) per 10 US gallons (38 L), sold here in a 240 g jar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHolds pH at 6.5\u003c\/strong\u003e, not just a one-off correction — a phosphate buffer resists drift the way a one-shot pH adjuster can't.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlso conditions the water\u003c\/strong\u003e — neutralises chlorine and chloramine and detoxifies heavy metals in the same dose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorks out to roughly 5.7c per litre\u003c\/strong\u003e of aquarium water treated, at the label dose (see below).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSimple dosing\u003c\/strong\u003e — 2 teaspoons, or one scoop, per 10 US gallons (38 L).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e240 g jar\u003c\/strong\u003e — a distributor-stated yield of around 200 US gallons (757 L) at the label dose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCost per litre\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt API's label dose of 2 teaspoons per 10 US gallons (38 L), a 240 g jar treats an estimated 757 L (about 200 US gallons), based on a specialist distributor's stated pack yield rather than a figure API itself publishes. At $42.95 per jar, that works out to roughly 5.7c per litre of treated water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePowdered pH buffer and water conditioner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTarget pH\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e240 g jar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDose rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 teaspoons (1 scoop) per 10 US gallons (38 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEstimated yield\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~757 L (~200 US gal) per jar at label dose\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlant safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot recommended for planted tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eInvertebrate safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSafe, per API\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFreight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much do I use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAquarium volume\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 US gal (38 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 teaspoons (1 scoop)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 US gal (76 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 teaspoons (2 scoops)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e55 US gal (208 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 teaspoons (5.5 scoops)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDissolve the dose in a small amount of tank water first, then distribute it across the aquarium near the filter outlet. Retest and repeat only if pH has drifted more than 0.2 from 6.5 — this is a buffer, not a one-shot adjuster, so it shouldn't need frequent redosing once the tank has settled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIngredients\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI's Safety Data Sheet for this specific 6.5 formulation could not be retrieved during this run, so exact percentages are not stated here to avoid guessing. The ingredient classes are consistent with the rest of the API Proper pH range — confirmed on the 7.0 formulation's own SDS — and API's own product description: a phosphate buffer as the main pH-holding agent, a chlorine and chloramine neutraliser, and a heavy-metal detoxifier, plus electrolytes to reduce handling stress. Checked 7 August 2026; flagged below for a supplier SDS follow-up specific to this pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoft-water freshwater communities — tetras, rasboras, discus, Amazonian species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew tank setup, established tank pH correction, and water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvertebrate-safe freshwater systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlanted aquariums — the phosphate buffer binds trace elements live plants need\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarine or reef aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery hard tap water without expecting some temporary cloudiness (harmless, clears within 24–48 hours)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep out of reach of children\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShake or stir thoroughly before dosing so the powder disperses evenly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid direct skin and eye contact with the concentrated powder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStore the jar sealed and dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit 5 in 1\u003c\/a\u003e — confirm pH is holding at 6.5 and check KH, which drives how often you'll need to redose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-ph-down\"\u003eAPI pH Down\u003c\/a\u003e — for an established tank that needs a larger initial pH correction before this buffer takes over holding it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-quick-start\"\u003eAPI Quick Start\u003c\/a\u003e — live nitrifying bacteria for new tank setups, which this product is also commonly dosed during.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a consumable, so no manufacturer warranty period applies. That does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law: if the product is faulty, unsafe or not as described, you are entitled to a remedy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShips as standard freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs this a one-off pH adjuster or an ongoing buffer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a buffer — it's designed to hold pH at 6.5 against the tank's natural drift, rather than moving pH once like API pH Down. You should need to redose only when a test shows pH has drifted more than 0.2 from the target.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use this in a planted tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI advises against it. The phosphate buffer binds trace elements that live plants need, so a planted display is better served by an unbuffered pH product or by managing pH through other means.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy did my water go cloudy after dosing?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTemporary cloudiness in hard water is a known, harmless reaction as the buffer interacts with dissolved minerals. It typically clears within 24 to 48 hours and does not affect fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs it safe for shrimp and snails?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI states the product is safe for invertebrates. As with any new product, dose at the stated rate and monitor rather than double-dosing on a heavily stocked invertebrate tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow much does one jar cost per litre of water treated?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on a distributor-stated yield of around 757 L per 240 g jar at the label dose, and this store's price, that's roughly 5.7c per litre — cheaper than repeatedly dosing a liquid one-shot adjuster to the same effect.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54774196076835,"sku":null,"price":42.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/api-ph-proper-65-powder-jar-240gm-3000425-1600.jpg?v=1781836804","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-ph-proper-6-5-powder-jar-240gm","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}