{"product_id":"seachem-cichlid-trace","title":"Seachem Cichlid Trace","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:460px;}\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 Trace\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\"\u003eadditives and supplements\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnly what fish actually need.\u003c\/strong\u003e Seachem formulates Cichlid Trace with only those elements demonstrated to be required by fish, citing \u003cem\u003eNutrient Requirements of Fish\u003c\/em\u003e (National Academy of Sciences, 1993), rather than a long list chosen for the label.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Trace Elements Run Out\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\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\u003eMade for Cichlids\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA trace element supplement formulated around what cichlids draw from their water.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvidence Led Formula\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContains only elements actually demonstrated to be required by fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSimple Schedule\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne capful per 20 US gallons, twice a week. No ramp up and no testing cycle.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiquid Dosing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasured with the cap, so there is nothing to weigh or dissolve first.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorks With Your Buffer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrace elements are separate from pH, KH and GH, so it layers on top of your existing water chemistry.\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\u003eDosing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse \u003cstrong\u003e1 capful (5 mL) for every 80 L (20 US gallons), twice a week\u003c\/strong\u003e. Seachem also recommends feeding \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-cichlid-flakes-probiotic\"\u003eNutriDiet Cichlid Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e alongside it, on the principle that fish take nutrients from both food and water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-warn\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrace elements are the third piece, not a substitute for the first two.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cichlid Trace does not change pH, KH or GH. A Rift Lake tank still needs a buffer for pH and carbonate hardness, and a cichlid salt for general hardness. See \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer\"\u003eMalawi\/Victoria Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-tanganyika-buffer\"\u003eTanganyika Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e for the lake you keep.\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\u003eVolume\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eApprox. capfuls\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 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 mL (8.5 fl oz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 50\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e706\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 mL (16.9 fl oz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 100\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e703\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"aq-note\"\u003eCapful counts are the bottle volume divided by the 5 mL dose. Each capful treats 20 US gallons, dosed twice a week.\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\u003eLiquid trace element supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDose\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 capful (5 mL) per 80 L (20 US gal)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrequency\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwice a week\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAffects pH, KH or GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\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 Full Rift Lake Set\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeachem builds these to work together. A complete African cichlid setup usually runs all three:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH and KH\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer\"\u003eMalawi\/Victoria Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e (pH 7.8 to 8.4) or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-tanganyika-buffer\"\u003eTanganyika Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e (pH 9.0 to 9.4)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGH and minerals\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-cichlid-lake-salt\"\u003eSeachem Cichlid Lake Salt\u003c\/a\u003e, dosed per lake, or a Rift Lake salt such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-probiotic-salt-african-gh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Salt\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrace elements\u003c\/strong\u003e from this product\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFood\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \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\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e, with an aragonite blend like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-african-cichlid-mix-ivory-coast-sand\"\u003eCaribSea African Cichlid Mix\u003c\/a\u003e that supports hard water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this change my pH or hardness?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Trace elements are a separate axis from pH, KH and GH. Dose it alongside your buffer and salt, not instead of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to test for anything?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it in a non-cichlid freshwater tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is formulated and dosed for cichlids. For a planted tank, Seachem's Flourish Trace is aimed at plant requirements instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes water changing replace the need for it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePartly, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long will a bottle last?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"250 mL (8.5 fl oz)","offer_id":50593928216795,"sku":"706","price":7.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500 mL (16.9 fl oz)","offer_id":50593928249563,"sku":"703","price":11.55,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/0706-Cichlid-Trace-250-mL.png?v=1791385486","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-cichlid-trace","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}