{"product_id":"seachem-cichlid-lake-salt","title":"Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.aq-pd{font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;margin:0 auto;line-height:1.7;}\n.aq-pd h2{font-size:1.45em;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:-0.01em;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:12px;margin:2em 0 0.6em;}\n.aq-pd p{margin:0.5em 0 1em;}\n.aq-callout{background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;border-radius:4px;padding:16px 20px;margin:1.6em 0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.93em;line-height:1.6;}\n.aq-callout strong{color:#f5c518;}\n.aq-warn{background:#fff8e1;border-left:4px solid #b8860b;padding:12px 16px;margin:1.4em 0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.88em;line-height:1.6;}\n.aq-features{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(240px,1fr));gap:14px;margin:1em 0 1.6em;}\n.aq-feature-card{background:#f4f4f4;border-radius:4px;padding:14px 16px;border-left:3px solid #666;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.9em;}\n.aq-feature-card strong{display:block;margin-bottom:3px;color:#1a1a1a;}\n.aq-feature-card span{color:#555;}\n.aq-compare{overflow-x:auto;margin:1em 0 1.6em;}\n.aq-compare table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.88em;min-width:540px;}\n.aq-compare th{background:#666;color:#fff;padding:9px 14px;text-align:center;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;}\n.aq-compare th:first-child{background:#1a1a1a;text-align:left;}\n.aq-compare td{padding:8px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;text-align:center;}\n.aq-compare td:first-child{text-align:left;font-weight:600;color:#444;background:#fafafa;}\n.aq-compare tr:nth-child(even) td:not(:first-child){background:#fafafa;}\n.aq-specs-table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:1em;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.93em;}\n.aq-specs-table th{background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:9px 14px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:0.04em;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.82em;}\n.aq-specs-table td{padding:8px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;vertical-align:top;}\n.aq-specs-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f9f9f9;}\n.aq-specs-table td:first-child{font-weight:600;width:42%;color:#444;}\n.aq-note{font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.82em;color:#777;font-style:italic;}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-pd\"\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeachem Cichlid Lake Salt\u003c\/strong\u003e is the mineral half of Rift Lake water. It is a blend of salts built to replicate what African cichlids actually swim in, carrying the physiologically essential elements, \u003cstrong\u003emagnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium\u003c\/strong\u003e, plus trace components including iron, aluminum and iodide. This is the product that sets your \u003cstrong\u003eGH\u003c\/strong\u003e. Browse our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003ewater care\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDosed by lake, not by tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tanganyika, Malawi and Victoria hold the same mineral salts at very different concentrations, so Cichlid Lake Salt has a separate dose for each. Know your fish's lake before you measure.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDosing by Lake\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll doses are given per \u003cstrong\u003e40 L (10 US gallons)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-compare\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLake\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDose per 10 US gal\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRaises GH by\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTarget GH\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTanganyika\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 g (1.5 teaspoons)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.8 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 to 14 dGH (3 to 5.5 meq\/L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMalawi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5 g (3\/4 teaspoon)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.4 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 to 8 dGH (1.5 to 3 meq\/L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVictoria\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.6 g (1\/2 teaspoon)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 to 6 dGH (1 to 2 meq\/L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-warn\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThose doses assume RO or DI water.\u003c\/strong\u003e If you are starting from tap water, measure your GH first and add only what you need to reach the target above. Tap water already carries minerals, and dosing the full amount on top of it will overshoot.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Use It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd Cichlid Lake Salt when setting up an aquarium and when making water changes. On an established tank, base the dose on the volume of water you are \u003cstrong\u003echanging\u003c\/strong\u003e, not the whole tank. Dissolve it in fresh water before adding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo not add salt when you are only topping up evaporated water.\u003c\/strong\u003e Evaporation removes water and leaves the minerals behind, so replacing it with more salt steadily drives hardness up. Top-ups get plain fresh water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Makes It Different\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeachem's point about this product is worth repeating because it is checkable: a mineral blend built mostly from Epsom salt and bicarbonate of soda will raise hardness, but it does not replicate lake water, because it is short on \u003cstrong\u003ecalcium and potassium\u003c\/strong\u003e. Those are named on the label here alongside magnesium and sodium, which is what makes it a replication product rather than just a hardness booster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-features\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplicates Rift Lake Water\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilt to match the mineral profile of the African lakes, not just raise a number.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCalcium and Potassium Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlong with magnesium and sodium, the elements an Epsom-based blend leaves out.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrace Components\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes iron, aluminum and iodide.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePer Lake Dosing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeparate rates for Tanganyika, Malawi and Victoria, with published dGH figures.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnly at Setup and Changes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot a daily dose. Add it with new water and leave it alone between.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced by Seachem Laboratories in Madison, Georgia.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChoose Your Size\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-compare\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNet weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eContainer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 g (8.8 oz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e276\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 g (1.1 lbs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e273\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 kg (2.2 lbs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e277\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 kg (8.8 lbs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBucket with handle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e279\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"aq-note\"\u003eSeachem states the 4 kg bucket treats 14,400 to 45,600 L, the range reflecting the Tanganyika dose at one end and the Victoria dose at the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"aq-specs-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eValue\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDry mineral salt blend\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeneral hardness (GH) and mineral content\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEssential elements\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMagnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrace components\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIron, aluminum, iodide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAffects pH or KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo, use a buffer for those\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhen to dose\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAt setup and with water changes only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Other Half: pH and KH\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCichlid Lake Salt sets GH and minerals. It does not set pH or carbonate hardness, and Seachem is explicit that you should pair it with the matching buffer:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer\"\u003eMalawi\/Victoria Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e for pH 7.8 to 8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-tanganyika-buffer\"\u003eTanganyika Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e for pH 9.0 to 9.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-cichlid-trace\"\u003eCichlid Trace\u003c\/a\u003e for the trace elements the tank uses up between changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-cichlid-flakes-probiotic\"\u003eNutriDiet Cichlid Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e and other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003ecichlid foods\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eGH and KH test kits\u003c\/a\u003e, which this product genuinely needs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-american-cichlid-salt\"\u003eSeachem American Cichlid Salt\u003c\/a\u003e if you keep New World cichlids instead of African\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI used this with a buffer and my pH came out at 8.6, higher than expected. What went wrong?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProbably nothing. Seachem's directions assume relatively pure RO or DI source water. Untreated tap water, or a dissolving substrate such as aragonite sand, adds its own minerals on top. Seachem expects the pH to settle closer to 8.2 or 8.3 even with other mineral sources present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it raise pH or KH?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. This is the GH and mineral side. Use Malawi\/Victoria Buffer or Tanganyika Buffer for pH and carbonate hardness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from aquarium salt?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlain aquarium salt is sodium chloride. This is a multi-mineral blend built to a lake profile, with calcium, magnesium and potassium in it. They are not interchangeable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I dose it every week?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly with new water. Add it at setup, then with each water change based on the volume being replaced. Never for evaporation top-ups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich lake are my fish from?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMbuna, peacocks and haps are Malawi. Frontosa, Tropheus, Julidochromis, Altolamprologus and the shell dwellers are Tanganyika. Ask us if you are unsure, it changes the dose by a factor of three. If your cichlids are from South or Central America rather than Africa, you want \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-american-cichlid-salt\"\u003eAmerican Cichlid Salt\u003c\/a\u003e instead, which is dosed far lighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat should I be testing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGH, to confirm you have hit the target range for your lake, and KH and pH alongside whichever buffer you are running.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"250 g (8.8 oz)","offer_id":50594030158043,"sku":"276","price":7.63,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500 g (1.1 lbs)","offer_id":50594030190811,"sku":"273","price":13.01,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 kg (2.2 lbs)","offer_id":50594030223579,"sku":"277","price":22.92,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"4 kg (8.8 lbs)","offer_id":50594030256347,"sku":"279","price":74.71,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/sq-46498364489947.jpg?v=1791448615","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-cichlid-lake-salt","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}