Athena Balance Athena Balance, a concentrated potassium silicate formula that can buffer irrigation water to maintain a pH of 9.5 to 10, is simple to use. Additionally, silicon benefits stem growth, stem structure and water use (osmoregulation) as well as nutrient usage. When buffering with Athena Balance first, commercial growers get better results. The chemical structure of pure RO water can trap additional nutrients if it is not added to a buffer. Athena Balance is a water additive that adds enough of a homogenous fertilizer to make it more uniform and less likely to need to adjust the pH after mixing. Formula does not contain sediment and can be used with Dosatron mechanical dosing machines. Athena Balance should not be used in electronic dosing devices (Netafim).