{"product_id":"seachem-axolotl-buffer-250ml","title":"Seachem Axolotl Buffer 250ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe one pH window axolotls actually want, held there.\u003c\/strong\u003e Seachem Axolotl Buffer takes tank pH to 7.4–7.6 from above or below and buffers it against the drift that happens between water changes. It also softens hard water by precipitating calcium and magnesium out of solution. The dose is one capful — 5 mL — per 10 L, twice a week. A 250 mL bottle holds 50 capfuls, enough to dose 500 litres once over.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy a buffer rather than a pH-adjusting product\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAxolotls are cold-water amphibians with permeable skin and external gills. They are sensitive to moving water chemistry in a way a hardy tropical fish is not, and axolotl tanks are typically kept cool and lightly filtered — exactly the combination in which pH wanders.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA one-way pH product corrects the reading. A buffer solves the drift. Seachem formulates this one to sit at 7.4–7.6 and stay there, so the tank stops moving between water changes instead of being pulled back after every one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt also works from either side. A tank sitting at 7.9 comes down, a tank at 7.0 comes up, and both land in the same window.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTargets 7.4–7.6 from either direction\u003c\/strong\u003e — raises a low pH and pulls down a high one, rather than only pushing one way\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuffers against drift\u003c\/strong\u003e — holds the figure between water changes instead of correcting after the fact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftens hard water\u003c\/strong\u003e — precipitates calcium and magnesium out of solution, which lowers general hardness rather than masking it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhosphate buffer system\u003c\/strong\u003e — a firmer grip on pH than carbonate buffering gives, with the phosphate trade-off spelled out below\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDosed straight into the tank\u003c\/strong\u003e — no mixing station, no waiting period, no separate container\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6c per litre treated\u003c\/strong\u003e — worked from the 5 mL per 10 L dose across the full 250 mL bottle\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 pH buffer and water softener\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTarget pH\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.4 – 7.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eApproaches target from\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbove or below\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEffect on hardness\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoftens — precipitates calcium and magnesium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStandard dose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 capful (5 mL) per 10 L, twice a week\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVery hard water\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDouble or triple dose\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDoses per bottle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 capfuls\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater treated per bottle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 L, dosed once\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCost per litre\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6c, worked from the 5 mL per 10 L dose across the bottle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDechlorinates\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo — treat replacement water separately\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater, coldwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eForm\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDosage and directions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWorked from Seachem's 5 mL per 10 L, twice-weekly rate. This is dosed more often than most buffers, so the bottle moves faster than 250 mL suggests — worth knowing before you size your order.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTank volume\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDose, twice weekly\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e250 mL bottle lasts about\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 mL (2 capfuls)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 mL (4 capfuls)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e37.5 mL (7½ capfuls)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 mL (12 capfuls)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMay be added directly to the aquarium at any time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwice a week, or as often as needed to hold pH between 7.4 and 7.6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery hard water may need a double or triple dose to get there\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTest before dosing rather than dosing to a calendar. Once the tank is holding, it may need less than twice weekly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe phosphate trade-off\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a phosphate-buffered product, and that is what gives it a firm grip on pH. The consequence is that phosphate goes into the water, so a phosphate test will read higher after dosing. That is the buffer, not a nutrient problem in the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn a bare or lightly planted axolotl tank this is usually a non-issue. In a tank already fighting algae, or one where you track phosphate to a target, it is worth knowing before the first dose rather than after.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e axolotl tanks · other cold-water amphibian setups wanting a stable, slightly alkaline pH · tanks whose pH slides between water changes · hard tap water that needs softening as well as buffering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e marine and reef aquariums · planted tanks and tanks with an algae problem, because of the phosphate · soft acidic-water species such as discus and wild-caught tetras · use as a dechlorinator, which it does not do — that is \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-axolotl-conditioner-250ml\"\u003eSeachem Axolotl Conditioner\u003c\/a\u003e's job · same-day pH correction, which is harder on an axolotl than a stable wrong figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCare and storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the cap on and store out of direct sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse the capful measure rather than leaving residue to dry in it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpect a haze in very hard water as calcium and magnesium precipitate out. It clears\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTest pH before dosing. Phosphate buffers hold firmly, so an overshoot takes a while to walk back\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-axolotl-conditioner-250ml\"\u003eSeachem Axolotl Conditioner\u003c\/a\u003e — removes chlorine and chloramine and detoxifies ammonia at water changes, none of which this buffer does\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-fresh-trace\"\u003eSeachem Fresh Trace\u003c\/a\u003e — restores trace elements that softening and water changes strip out; Seachem recommends it alongside this product\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-ph-alert-6-month\"\u003eSeachem pH Alert\u003c\/a\u003e — continuous pH in the tank, so you dose to a colour rather than to a calendar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-ammonia-alert-1-year\"\u003eSeachem Ammonia Alert\u003c\/a\u003e — axolotl tanks run cool and lightly filtered, and ammonia is what catches people out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-ph-alkalinity-kit-75-tests\"\u003eSeachem pH \u0026amp; Alkalinity Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — for when you want a number rather than a band\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 liquid buffer. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhat pH should an axolotl tank sit at?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeachem formulates this buffer to 7.4–7.6, and that is the window it holds. It reaches that figure from a higher or a lower starting point.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eHow much Axolotl Buffer do I use?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne capful — 5 mL — for every 10 litres, twice a week. Very hard water may need double or triple that. A 250 mL bottle is 50 capfuls.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eHow long does a 250 mL bottle last?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn a 40 litre axolotl tank dosed twice weekly, about six weeks. On a 20 litre tank, about twelve. It is dosed more often than most buffers, so plan for that.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDoes it remove chlorine or ammonia?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a pH and hardness product only. Axolotl Conditioner is the one that handles chlorine, chloramine and ammonia at water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWill it raise my phosphate reading?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. It uses phosphate buffers, so a phosphate test reads higher after dosing. In a bare axolotl tank that rarely matters; in a planted tank with algae it does.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I add it with the axolotl still in the tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Seachem states it may be added directly to the aquarium at any time. Dosing into the flow rather than straight onto the animal is still the sensible way to do it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54773856764195,"sku":"725094-8146","price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/seachem-axolotl-buffer-250ml-820899.webp?v=1790230837","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/seachem-axolotl-buffer-250ml","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}