API pH Proper 8.2 Powder Jar 200gm
Pack size
200 g
Water type
Freshwater + Marine + Brackish + Reef
API pH Proper 8.2 Powder Jar 200gm
Sets pH at 8.2 for African cichlid, brackish and marine tanks. API Proper pH 8.2 is a phosphate-free carbonate/bicarbonate buffer that raises and stabilises pH at 8.2, the level African rift lake cichlids, brackish-water species and saltwater aquariums are built for. The same dose removes chlorine, neutralises chloramine, detoxifies heavy metals and adds electrolytes.
Key features
- Sets and holds pH at 8.2 – a carbonate/bicarbonate buffer resists drift, rather than moving the reading once like a liquid adjuster.
- Phosphate-free – won't feed algae the way a phosphate buffer can.
- Also conditions the water – removes chlorine, neutralises chloramine, detoxifies heavy metals, adds electrolytes.
- Suits saltwater, brackish and African cichlid tanks – anywhere the target is a high, stable pH.
- 200 g jar, dosed with the enclosed scoop.
How much do I use?
API's label rate is 1 level scoop, roughly 5 mL, for every 10 US gallons (38 L) of aquarium water. Pre-dissolve it in a separate container of aquarium water before adding, and repeat only when a pH test shows a drift of more than 0.2 from 8.2.
| Aquarium volume | Dose at API's label rate |
|---|---|
| 38 L | 1 level scoop (~5 mL) |
| 76 L | 2 level scoops (~10 mL) |
| 114 L | 3 level scoops (~15 mL) |
| 190 L | 5 level scoops (~25 mL) |
| 380 L | 10 level scoops (~50 mL) |
Specifications
| Type | pH buffer and water conditioner, powder |
|---|---|
| Sets pH at | 8.2 |
| Buffer chemistry | Carbonate/bicarbonate buffer, phosphate-free |
| Also does | Removes chlorine, neutralises chloramine, detoxifies heavy metals, adds electrolytes |
| Pack size | 200 g jar |
| Dose rate | 1 level scoop (~5 mL) per 10 US gallons (38 L); repeat only when pH drifts more than 0.2 |
| Water type | Saltwater, brackish and African cichlid freshwater tanks |
| Cost per litre treated | Not shown – API does not publish a grams-per-dose figure, so litres treated per jar cannot be calculated honestly |
| Freight | Standard |
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for:
- African rift lake cichlid tanks (Malawi and Tanganyikan setups)
- Brackish-water aquariums
- Marine fish-only systems needing a pH correction
Not suitable for:
- Standard community freshwater tanks at neutral pH – use API Proper pH 7.5 instead
- Planted aquariums – buffers of this type are not recommended where live plants need trace elements left free in the water
- A one-off large correction – shift pH gradually and re-test rather than chasing a big swing in a single dose
Care and maintenance
Test pH weekly with a liquid or marine-rated test kit rather than dosing to a schedule. Cloudiness after dosing in hard or mineral-rich water is common with Proper pH powders and typically clears within 24–48 hours.
Safety and handling
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Store the jar sealed and dry.
- Pre-dissolve in a separate container of tank water before adding, rather than pouring powder directly into the aquarium or sump.
Goes well with
- API Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit 5 in 1 – to confirm the reading before and after dosing in a cichlid tank.
- API pH Up – for a smaller day-to-day nudge between full re-doses of Proper pH.
- API Aquarium Salt – many African cichlid setups are also run with added tonic salt; check your species' requirements first.
Warranty and delivery
This 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. Ships as standard freight.
Common questions
Will this work for a saltwater reef tank?
API rates Proper pH 8.2 for saltwater and brackish aquariums generally. For a reef system carrying corals, check the effect on carbonate hardness (KH) alongside your usual reef dosing regime before using a bulk buffer like this one.
Can I use Proper pH 8.2 in a standard community freshwater tank?
You can, but most community species are kept at a lower, more neutral pH. If your tank isn't a cichlid, brackish or marine setup, API Proper pH 7.5 is the better match.
Is it phosphate-free?
Yes. API states Proper pH 8.2 uses a carbonate/bicarbonate buffer with no added phosphates.
How often do I need to re-dose?
Only when a pH test shows a drift of more than 0.2 from 8.2 – not on a fixed schedule.
Why does the water go cloudy after I dose it?
This is common in hard or mineral-rich water and is harmless. It typically clears within 24 to 48 hours.
