{"product_id":"seachem-alkaline-regulator","title":"Seachem Alkaline Regulator","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhosphate buffering holds a pH that carbonate buffering lets drift.\u003c\/strong\u003e Seachem Alkaline Regulator sets freshwater pH into the alkaline range of 7.1 to 7.6 and holds it there, using phosphate buffers together with conditioning agents. Phosphate buffers grip pH harder than carbonate ones — the trade is that they leave phosphate in the water, which is why this is a hard-water and African cichlid product rather than a planted-tank one. Dose is one level teaspoon per 40 to 80 litres, daily, until the pH you want arrives. Stocked in 50 g, 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAlkaline Buffer or Alkaline Regulator?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeachem makes two ways to push a freshwater tank alkaline and they are not interchangeable. This is the decision worth getting right before you open either container.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e \u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlkaline Regulator\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlkaline Buffer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003epH it holds\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.1 – 7.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.2 – 8.5, above 7.6 when used alone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBuffer chemistry\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhosphate buffers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-phosphate, carbonate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAdds phosphate to the tank\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrip on pH\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLocks in firmly, resists CO2 swings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirmer KH reserve, still moves with CO2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest in\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water and African cichlid tanks, fish-only setups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted tanks, community tanks, remineralised RO\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe short version: if the tank has plants or an algae history, choose the buffer. If pH stability in a fish-only hard-water tank matters more than phosphate, choose the regulator.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSets and holds 7.1 to 7.6\u003c\/strong\u003e — an alkaline range without pushing a tank up towards the 8.5 a carbonate buffer can reach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhosphate-buffered\u003c\/strong\u003e — Seachem's own comparison is that phosphate buffers lock pH in well, where non-phosphate buffers see more movement as CO2 comes and goes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContains conditioning agents\u003c\/strong\u003e — alongside the buffer salts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTargets a specific pH with Neutral Regulator\u003c\/strong\u003e — the two blend to land between 7.1 and 7.5, using the ratio chart printed on the container\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance dosing is monthly\u003c\/strong\u003e — once at target, dose monthly or with water changes rather than continuously\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhosphate-buffered freshwater pH regulator\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003epH range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.1 – 7.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eContains phosphate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStarting dose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 level teaspoon per 40 – 80 L, daily until target pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaintenance dose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMonthly, or with water changes as required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDechlorinates\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo — treat tap water separately before a water change\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack sizes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eForm\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDry powder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDosage and directions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse 1 level teaspoon for every 40 to 80 litres, daily, until the intended pH is reached\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce there, dose once a month, or with water changes, to hold it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe wider 40 to 80 litre range exists because tap water varies. Start at the weaker end, test, and work up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDissolve the dose in a cup of tank water before adding it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTo land on a specific pH between 7.1 and 7.5, run it against \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-neutral-regulator\"\u003eSeachem Neutral Regulator\u003c\/a\u003e at the ratio printed on the container\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e African cichlid tanks · livebearer and rainbowfish setups · hard-water fish-only aquariums · tanks where pH will not stay put with a carbonate buffer alone · fish already acclimated to alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e planted tanks and any tank with an algae problem, because the phosphate it adds is an algae nutrient · marine and reef aquariums · soft, acidic-water species such as discus, wild-caught tetras and most Apistogramma · use as a dechlorinator — it does not remove chlorine or chloramine · tanks where you monitor phosphate to a target, since this will move that reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCare and storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the container sealed and dry; caked powder makes teaspoon dosing unreliable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTest pH before each dose rather than counting doses — phosphate buffers hold firmly, so an overshoot is slow to walk back\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpect your phosphate test to read higher after dosing. That is the buffer, not a nutrient problem in the tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDechlorinate tap water separately before every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-neutral-regulator\"\u003eSeachem Neutral Regulator\u003c\/a\u003e — blend with this to land on a specific pH between 7.1 and 7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-acid-regulator\"\u003eSeachem Acid Regulator\u003c\/a\u003e — the other end of the same system, for pulling pH down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-ph-alkalinity-kit-75-tests\"\u003eSeachem pH \u0026amp; Alkalinity Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — dosing to a target pH means testing before each dose\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-multitest-phosphate-75-tests\"\u003eSeachem MultiTest: Phosphate\u003c\/a\u003e — worth having if you dose a phosphate buffer and also fight algae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e — the non-phosphate alternative for planted tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/seachem\"\u003eThe full Seachem range\u003c\/a\u003e — water care, media and test kits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSold with the manufacturer's shelf life; no separate warranty term is published for a dry regulator. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless and cannot be excluded. A safety data sheet is published by Seachem at sds.seachem.com. Ships as a standard parcel — a dry powder, not a dangerous good.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhat pH does Seachem Alkaline Regulator set?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt adjusts freshwater pH into the alkaline range of 7.1 to 7.6 and holds it there. Blended with Neutral Regulator it can be aimed at a specific figure between 7.1 and 7.5.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDoes Alkaline Regulator contain phosphate?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. It is a phosphate-buffered product. That is what gives it its firm grip on pH, and it is also why it is the wrong choice for a planted tank or a tank fighting algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDoes it remove chlorine or ammonia?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Alkaline Regulator is a pH product only. Seachem's guidance is to dechlorinate tap water separately before a water change.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eShould I use Alkaline Regulator or Alkaline Buffer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose the regulator for a fish-only hard-water or African cichlid tank where pH stability is the priority. Choose the buffer for a planted or display tank, because it adds no phosphate for algae to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eHow long before the pH settles?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eDose daily until the target is reached, then monthly to hold it. Raising pH over several days is far easier on fish than doing it in one go.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWill it work in a marine tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a freshwater product. Saltwater aquariums need a marine-specific buffer instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"50 g","offer_id":55244174459171,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250 g","offer_id":55244174491939,"sku":null,"price":30.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500 g","offer_id":55244174524707,"sku":null,"price":50.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 kg","offer_id":55244174557475,"sku":null,"price":89.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/0099-alkaline_regulator-4_kg-scaled.png?v=1782710726","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/seachem-alkaline-regulator","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}