{"product_id":"seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer","title":"Seachem Malawi\/Victoria Buffer","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:520px;}\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 Malawi\/Victoria Buffer\u003c\/strong\u003e is a blend of carbonate salts that holds a hard water aquarium at the pH African Rift Lake cichlids evolved in. It raises carbonate hardness and buffer capacity along with pH, which is the part that matters: a tank with real KH behind it holds its pH steady between water changes instead of drifting down as the week goes on. Formulated to maintain \u003cstrong\u003epH 7.8 to 8.4\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\u003eBuffers to pH 7.8 to 8.4.\u003c\/strong\u003e Raises KH as well as pH, and \u003cstrong\u003ewill not affect GH\u003c\/strong\u003e. Mbuna and peacocks from Lake Malawi, and the haps and cichlids of Lake Victoria, all want this range.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy KH Matters More Than pH\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChasing pH with a pH-only product is how people end up on a swing: the number moves, nothing holds it, and a few days later it has slid back. Carbonate hardness is the buffer that resists that slide. Malawi\/Victoria Buffer raises KH at the same time it raises pH, so the value you set is the value the tank actually keeps. It is also why dosing drops off sharply once you are dialled in, usually to once every two or three weeks rather than daily.\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\u003eHolds pH 7.8 to 8.4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe range Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria cichlids come from.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRaises KH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilds carbonate hardness and buffer capacity, not just a pH reading.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeaves GH Alone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWill not affect general hardness, so you can set GH separately with a cichlid salt.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarbonate Salt Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDry powder, so there is nothing to shake, settle or go off.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEconomical Dosing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne level teaspoon treats 10 to 20 US gallons, and tapers to once every few weeks.\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\u003e6 g, one level teaspoon, for each 40 to 80 L (10 to 20 US gallons)\u003c\/strong\u003e of water each day until the pH you want is reached and holding. After that, use as required to maintain it, which is usually no more than once every two to three weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTips from Seachem.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dissolve the buffer in fresh water before adding it. Use it when setting up the aquarium and when making water changes, preferably after adding a cichlid lake salt, and between water changes as needed. The pH it settles at inside the 7.8 to 8.4 band depends on how much you use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"aq-note\"\u003eTo hold lower than 7.8, Seachem pairs this with their Acid Buffer. To hold higher than 8.4, use \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-tanganyika-buffer\"\u003eTanganyika Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e, formulated for the deeper, harder lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-warn\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuffer is only half of Rift Lake water.\u003c\/strong\u003e This product deliberately does not touch GH, so on its own it will not give you the general hardness and mineral content those cichlids also need. Pair it with a Rift Lake cichlid 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, and test both KH and GH rather than pH alone.\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\u003eApprox. level teaspoons\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 g (10.6 oz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 50\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e296\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 g (1.3 lbs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 100\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e293\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.2 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.2 kg (2.6 lbs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 200\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e297\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"aq-note\"\u003eTeaspoon counts are the net weight divided by the 6 g dose. Each teaspoon treats 10 to 20 US gallons.\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 carbonate salt blend\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTarget pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaises\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH and carbonate hardness (KH)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEffect on GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDose\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 g (one level teaspoon) per 40 to 80 L (10 to 20 US gal)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaintenance frequency\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTypically once every 2 to 3 weeks once established\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\u003ePairs With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-tanganyika-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Tanganyika Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e for Lake Tanganyika tanks at pH 9.0 to 9.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-probiotic-salt-african-gh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Salt\u003c\/a\u003e for the GH side this buffer leaves alone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-cichlid-lake-salt\"\u003eSeachem Cichlid Lake Salt\u003c\/a\u003e, the matched Seachem salt for GH, dosed separately for each lake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-cichlid-trace\"\u003eSeachem Cichlid Trace\u003c\/a\u003e to restore the trace elements the tank uses up between water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-african-cichlid-mix-ivory-coast-sand\"\u003eCaribSea African Cichlid Mix sand\u003c\/a\u003e, an aragonite substrate that supports hard water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-staple\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Staple\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\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e for planted and general freshwater tanks that need KH without the cichlid pH range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eKH and GH test kits\u003c\/a\u003e, because buffering without testing is guesswork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this raise my GH too?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Seachem formulates it to leave general hardness untouched. That is intentional, so you can set KH and GH independently, but it does mean you need a separate cichlid salt for the mineral side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often will I be dosing it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDaily at first, until the pH reaches your target and stays there. After that it is usually no more than once every two to three weeks, plus whatever you add back with water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it in a planted tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt will work as a buffer, but 7.8 to 8.4 is high for most planted setups and the high KH works against CO2 injection. For a planted tank, Seachem Alkaline Buffer is the better fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe for Tanganyika cichlids?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Tanganyika runs higher and harder, at pH 9.0 to 9.4. Use \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-tanganyika-buffer\"\u003eTanganyika Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e for those fish. This one is formulated for Malawi and Victoria. Seachem says the two can also be combined to target a pH between the ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I add it straight to the tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDissolve it in fresh water first, then add. Dumping dry powder onto the substrate gives you a local spike where the fish are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat should I be testing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKH and pH, and GH if you are also dosing a cichlid salt. pH alone will not tell you whether the buffer behind it is holding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"300 g (10.6 oz)","offer_id":50593788068059,"sku":"296","price":7.63,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"600 g (1.3 lbs)","offer_id":50593788100827,"sku":"293","price":13.01,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.2 kg (2.6 lbs)","offer_id":50593788133595,"sku":"297","price":23.62,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/0296-Malawi-Victoria-Buffer-300.png?v=1791384707","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}