{"product_id":"seachem-tanganyika-buffer","title":"Seachem Tanganyika 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 Tanganyika Buffer\u003c\/strong\u003e is a blend of carbonate salts for the hardest, highest pH water in the cichlid hobby. Lake Tanganyika sits well above the other Rift Lakes on the pH scale, and this buffer is formulated to hold a tank at \u003cstrong\u003epH 9.0 to 9.4\u003c\/strong\u003e while raising alkalinity, carbonate hardness and buffer capacity along with it. 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\u003eAdjusts pH to 9.0 to 9.4.\u003c\/strong\u003e Raises KH as well as pH, and \u003cstrong\u003ewill not affect GH\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is the Tanganyikan range, for frontosa, Tropheus, Julidochromis, Altolamprologus and the shell dwelling Neolamprologus.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-warn\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMake sure Tanganyika is the lake you mean.\u003c\/strong\u003e pH 9.0 to 9.4 is high even by African cichlid standards, and it is wrong for Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria fish, which want 7.8 to 8.4. If you keep mbuna, peacocks or haps, you want \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer\"\u003eMalawi\/Victoria Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e instead. Seachem also notes the two can be combined to land between the ranges.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy KH Matters More Than pH\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHolding a pH above 9 is not something water does on its own. Without carbonate hardness behind it the number drifts down between water changes, and chasing it with a pH-only product produces a swing rather than a setting. Tanganyika Buffer raises KH and alkalinity at the same time it raises pH, which is what makes the result stable. It is also why dosing tapers off quickly once you are dialled in, usually to once every two or three weeks.\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 9.0 to 9.4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe range Lake Tanganyika cichlids evolved in.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aq-feature-card\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRaises KH and Alkalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilds real 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\u003e5 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. Where it settles inside the 9.0 to 9.4 band depends on how much you use. For a lower pH, use Malawi\/Victoria Buffer, either on its own or in combination with this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"aq-note\"\u003eNote the dose differs from Malawi\/Victoria Buffer, which uses 6 g per teaspoon. Do not carry one product's figure across to the other.\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 provide the general hardness and mineral content Tanganyikan 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 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\u003e250 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 g (8.8 oz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 50\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e286\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\u003eAbout 100\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e283\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\u003eAbout 200\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e287\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 5 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\u003e9.0 to 9.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaises\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH, alkalinity, carbonate hardness (KH) and buffer capacity\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\u003e5 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-malawi-victoria-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Malawi\/Victoria Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e for Malawi and Victoria tanks, or combined with this one to land between the ranges\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\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eCichlid foods\u003c\/a\u003e\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\u003eIs pH 9 really right for my fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor Lake Tanganyika species, yes, that is the water they come from. For Malawi or Victoria cichlids it is too high, and for anything outside the Rift Lakes it is far too high. Check which lake your fish are from before dosing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference from Malawi\/Victoria Buffer?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe target range and the dose. This one holds 9.0 to 9.4 at 5 g per teaspoon; Malawi\/Victoria holds 7.8 to 8.4 at 6 g. Everything else about how they work is the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I land somewhere between the two ranges?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Seachem says the two buffers can be combined, so a blend lets you target a pH between the Malawi and Tanganyika bands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this raise my GH too?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It leaves general hardness untouched by design, so you still need a cichlid salt for the mineral side.\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, which matters more at this pH.\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 target and holds. After that it is usually no more than once every two to three weeks, plus what you add back at water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"250 g (8.8 oz)","offer_id":50593799209179,"sku":"286","price":7.63,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500 g (1.1 lbs)","offer_id":50593799241947,"sku":"283","price":13.01,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 kg (2.2 lbs)","offer_id":50593799274715,"sku":"287","price":23.62,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/sq-46497981759707.jpg?v=1791448590","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-tanganyika-buffer","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}