- Sku: 706
- Vendor: Seachem
Seachem Cichlid Trace
Seachem Cichlid Trace replaces the trace elements a cichlid aquarium runs down between water changes. Fish take up nutrients from the water around them as well as from their food, and trace elements steadily disappear through uptake, oxidation and precipitation. This puts them back, twice a week, with one capful. Browse our other additives and supplements.
Why Trace Elements Run Out
A closed aquarium is not a lake. In a Rift Lake the water is constantly renewed, so the minor elements fish draw on are always present. In a tank they are consumed by the fish, oxidized by the filtration and lost to precipitation onto rock and substrate, and nothing replaces them until you do. Water changes help, but tap water is not a reliable source of the specific elements fish use. Dosing a trace supplement on a schedule is the straightforward fix.
Features
Dosing
Use 1 capful (5 mL) for every 80 L (20 US gallons), twice a week. Seachem also recommends feeding NutriDiet Cichlid Flakes alongside it, on the principle that fish take nutrients from both food and water.
Choose Your Size
| Size | Volume | Approx. capfuls | SKU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 mL | 250 mL (8.5 fl oz) | About 50 | 706 |
| 500 mL | 500 mL (16.9 fl oz) | About 100 | 703 |
Capful counts are the bottle volume divided by the 5 mL dose. Each capful treats 20 US gallons, dosed twice a week.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Liquid trace element supplement |
| Dose | 1 capful (5 mL) per 80 L (20 US gal) |
| Frequency | Twice a week |
| Affects pH, KH or GH | No |
| Water type | Freshwater |
| Made in | USA |
The Full Rift Lake Set
Seachem builds these to work together. A complete African cichlid setup usually runs all three:
- pH and KH from Malawi/Victoria Buffer (pH 7.8 to 8.4) or Tanganyika Buffer (pH 9.0 to 9.4)
- GH and minerals from Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt, dosed per lake, or a Rift Lake salt such as the Fritz Rift Lake Cichlid Salt
- Trace elements from this product
- Food, with NutriDiet Cichlid Flakes and other cichlid foods
- Substrate, with an aragonite blend like CaribSea African Cichlid Mix that supports hard water
FAQ
Will this change my pH or hardness?
No. Trace elements are a separate axis from pH, KH and GH. Dose it alongside your buffer and salt, not instead of them.
Do I need to test for anything?
There is no practical hobby test for most trace elements, which is why this is dosed on a schedule rather than to a target. Keep testing pH, KH and GH as usual.
Can I use it in a non-cichlid freshwater tank?
It is formulated and dosed for cichlids. For a planted tank, Seachem's Flourish Trace is aimed at plant requirements instead.
Does water changing replace the need for it?
Partly, but tap water is not a dependable source of the specific elements fish use, and the amount varies by region and season. Seachem's position is that regular restoration is more reliable.
How long will a bottle last?
A 250 mL bottle is about 50 capfuls. A 40 gallon tank takes 2 capfuls a dose, twice a week, so that is 4 a week and the bottle runs about 12 weeks. Double it for the 500 mL.
Have a question?
Seachem Cichlid Trace
