{"product_id":"seachem-acid-buffer","title":"Seachem Acid Buffer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLower pH and free up CO2 without adding any phosphate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Seachem Acid Buffer is a dry, non-phosphate buffer for freshwater aquariums. It lowers pH by converting carbonate alkalinity (KH, your tank's pH buffer) into dissolved CO2, so a 2 g dose per 80 L drops alkalinity by about 0.6 dKH and releases carbon your plants can use. It suits planted tanks and soft-water community setups, and pairs with Alkaline Buffer to hold a chosen pH between 6.0 and 8.0.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContains no phosphate\u003c\/strong\u003e — it will not add the nutrient that feeds nuisance algae, unlike phosphate-buffered pH-down products.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTurns KH into plant-available CO2\u003c\/strong\u003e — the carbonate it removes becomes dissolved carbon, so pH control and plant growth come from the same dose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePredictable step size\u003c\/strong\u003e — every 2 g per 80 L moves alkalinity about 0.2 meq\/L, which is roughly 0.6 dKH, so you can plan the drop instead of chasing it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDry powder\u003c\/strong\u003e — no water to pay freight on, and it does not weaken once the tub is opened.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorks as a pair\u003c\/strong\u003e — with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e it holds a target anywhere from pH 6.0 to 8.0 rather than drifting back up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour pack sizes\u003c\/strong\u003e — 70 g to 1.2 kg, so a single planted tank and a fish room buy the same chemistry at the right scale.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDose and response\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDose daily until you reach the pH you want, then dose at water changes to hold it. Each dose in this table lowers alkalinity by roughly 0.2 meq\/L, which is about 0.6 dKH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater volume\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eApproximate measure\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.025 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/320 teaspoon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.1 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/80 teaspoon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/8 teaspoon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/4 teaspoon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5\/8 teaspoon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery hard or strongly alkaline tap water needs larger doses to shift the same amount. Test alkalinity before and after. Dosing to a pH reading alone hides what is actually happening to your KH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSetting a target pH\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsed on its own in soft or poorly buffered water, this buffer can take pH lower than you intended, because there is little carbonate left to resist the change. Adding \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eAlkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e alongside it gives you a stable target instead of a one-way slide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeachem publishes a ratio chart for hitting a specific pH between 6.0 and 8.0, with the mix shifting toward more Alkaline Buffer as the target rises. Those ratios are worked out for unbuffered water and usually need adjusting in tap water, so step toward your target over several days and test as you go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich pack size do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFull 2 g doses\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDoses for a 200 L tank\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSuits\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA nano or single planted tank, or trying it before committing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne or two display tanks on hard tap water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeveral tanks, or a large planted display dosed weekly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.2 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e240\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFish rooms, breeding racks and shops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA full dose here is the 2 g that treats 80 L. Bigger tanks use more per dose, which is why the 200 L column is lower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlanted freshwater aquariums, particularly those without gas CO2 injection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoft-water community fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish and dwarf cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreshwater tanks running on hard, high-KH tap water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRO or rainwater being remineralised to a set pH with Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarine and reef aquariums — use \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-marine-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Marine Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-reef-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Reef Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e instead\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRift lake cichlid tanks, which need pH and hardness raised rather than lowered — see \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Malawi\/Victoria Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who simply wants pH held at 7.0 — \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-neutral-regulator\"\u003eSeachem Neutral Regulator\u003c\/a\u003e does that in one product\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTanks already sitting at or below the pH you are aiming for\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety and handling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCauses serious eye irritation. Avoid contact with skin and keep out of reach of children.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDissolve the measured dose in a cup of tank water and add it near an outlet or powerhead, so it mixes rather than settling on the substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMove pH in small steps. Fish cope with a slow shift of about 0.2 pH a day far better than a fast correction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStore sealed and dry. Damp powder cakes and stops measuring accurately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e — the other half of the pair, and what you need to hold a target rather than just fall to one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-ph-alkalinity-kit-75-tests\"\u003eSeachem pH \u0026amp; Alkalinity Kit, 75 tests\u003c\/a\u003e — this product is dosed against alkalinity, so a KH test is not optional.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-prime\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — dechlorinate change water before it ever meets a buffer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-acid-regulator\"\u003eSeachem Acid Regulator\u003c\/a\u003e — the phosphate-buffered alternative if you need to go below pH 6.0 into blackwater territory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and Australian notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplied as a dry powder in a sealed tub. Faults, short fills and misdescription are covered by the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law, which apply in addition to anything the manufacturer offers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStore sealed and dry, away from acids and oxidisers. Keep the scoop or spoon you measure with dedicated to this product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Seachem Acid Buffer contain phosphate?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Seachem Acid Buffer is a non-phosphate buffer, which is why it is the usual choice for planted and algae-prone freshwater tanks. Seachem's phosphate-buffered products, such as Acid Regulator, are a different formulation for a different job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow far does one dose lower pH?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is dosed against alkalinity rather than pH. A 2 g dose per 80 L lowers alkalinity by about 0.2 meq\/L, or 0.6 dKH. How far pH actually moves depends on how much carbonate was there to begin with, so hard water shifts less per dose than soft water does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use it in a marine or reef aquarium?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This is a freshwater product. Stripping carbonate alkalinity out of a marine system works directly against the chemistry that corals and coralline algae depend on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I have to buy Alkaline Buffer as well?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly if you want to hold a specific pH. Used alone in soft or poorly buffered water it can push pH below your target, because there is nothing left to resist the change. The two products together buffer anywhere between pH 6.0 and 8.0.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it replace CO2 injection in a planted tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, but it does help. Converting carbonate alkalinity releases dissolved CO2 that plants can use, which suits a low-tech planted tank well. A high-light tank with demanding plants still needs a gas system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs it safe for shrimp and snails?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeachem does not publish a specific invertebrate warning for this product, but shrimp and snails react more sharply to swings in pH and hardness than most fish do. Move in steps of about 0.2 pH per day and match your change water to the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"70 g","offer_id":55244183601443,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300 g","offer_id":55244183634211,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"600 g","offer_id":55244183666979,"sku":null,"price":50.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.2 kg","offer_id":55244183699747,"sku":null,"price":91.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/0244-acid-buffer-70-g-scaled.png?v=1782710750","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/seachem-acid-buffer","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}