"Proper pH" not for plants?

fishfoodyum

fishfoodyum

AC Members
Mar 4, 2007
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Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA
Okay, so I have been using "Proper pH 7.5" for a long time. (The powder)
Now, I have just purchased a 20 gallon tank which has not yet been set up. I want to add live plants to it when I do get it set up.
However, this product "Proper pH" clearly states on the back: "PROPER pH is a phosphate buffer and should not be used with live aquarium plants."

So... I will have to use another product right? And what would that be?
BTW I am looking for something thats sets the pH to around 7.0-7.5 for a community aquarium.
I'm sorry if the answer to this question is very obvious but I just want to be sure...

Thanks in advance
edit: what I mean to ask is: For all the fish keepers who have live plants, what do you use to set the pH level?
 
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It's generally not necessary to be fooling with your pH for community tanks.

What is your pH without the buffer?
 
Hmm... judging by the coloUr of the tested tap water... It looks around 7.3 - 7.4.
So I only have to use the tap water conditioner? :dance2:
 
planted tanks add another dimension to keeping aquariums.

your pH should be okay..depending on the species you keep.

when you get into CO2 you'll need to check your kh(carbonate hardness)
 
There may be a few rare cases where someone may want to buffer their pH, but I can't think of any right now.

Yes, the only thing you need to add to your water is conditioner to detoxify chlorine/chloramine.
 
star_rider said:
planted tanks add another dimension to keeping aquariums.

your pH should be okay..depending on the species you keep.

when you get into CO2 you'll need to check your kh(carbonate hardness)
Click to expand...
I've just started using CO2 (today).

My pH varies from 6.8 to 7.2 normally.

kH is new to me, what do I need to look out for with kH, i.e. what levels to look for and what action do you take?
 
When injecting Co2 its suggested that you should make sure your water has a kh of 3 (roughly 55ppm) or higher. I don't have one linked, but there is a chart that will show you the relationship between kh, ph, and Co2. If your kh is too low your ph can swing dramatically.
 
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