{"product_id":"seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer","title":"Seachem Malawi\/Victoria Buffer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuffers your water to the alkaline chemistry Malawi and Victoria cichlids need to thrive.\u003c\/strong\u003e Seachem Malawi\/Victoria Buffer is a blend of carbonate buffer salts that raises and holds pH at 7.8–8.4 and lifts carbonate hardness (KH) without disturbing general hardness (GH) — recreating the mineral-rich water of Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria in a standard freshwater tank. It's dosed daily during setup, then only occasionally to maintain the target range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTargets pH 7.8–8.4\u003c\/strong\u003e — the range African Rift Lake cichlids need, not general community-tank pH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRaises KH without moving GH\u003c\/strong\u003e — buffers against pH crashes without over-hardening the water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTreats water for as little as under 1c per litre\u003c\/strong\u003e on the 4 kg pack — see Cost per litre below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDissolves directly into tank or top-up water\u003c\/strong\u003e — no premixing required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePairs with Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt\u003c\/strong\u003e for full Rift Lake water chemistry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBarcode\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLitres treated per pack*\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCost per litre*\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\u003e000116029605\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2,000 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e000116029308\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4,000 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.2 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e000116029704\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8,000 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e000116029902\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e26,666 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eunder 1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e*Calculated at Seachem's stated dosing rate of 6 g per 40–80 L, using the concentrated (40 L) end of that range so the figures are conservative. Actual coverage is often higher once a tank is on maintenance dosing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDosage and directions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse 6 g (one level teaspoon) per 40–80 L of water, added daily until the target pH is reached. After that, dose only as needed to maintain pH — typically no more than once every two to three weeks. Combine with Seachem Tanganyika Buffer or Acid Buffer if you need a different target range; this product will not push pH outside 7.8–8.4 by itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot harmful to plants. Dosing well above the stated rate can cause a sudden shift in pH and KH that stresses fish — if that happens, correct it with a partial water change and return to smaller, gradual doses rather than repeated full doses. Seachem's own guidance for scaleless fish and invertebrates (shrimp, snails and other sensitive inhabitants) is to start with a partial dose and work up to the full rate over time, rather than dosing at full strength straight away — check with us first if you're unsure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria cichlid tanks, and any freshwater setup that needs a stable alkaline pH of 7.8–8.4. Not suitable where a lower, acidic pH is the goal — for that, Seachem Acid Buffer is the correct product, not this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/search?q=Seachem+Cichlid+Lake+Salt\"\u003eSeachem Cichlid Lake Salt\u003c\/a\u003e — completes the Rift Lake water profile alongside this buffer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/search?q=Seachem+Tanganyika+Buffer\"\u003eSeachem Tanganyika Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e — for the higher pH Lake Tanganyika cichlids need instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/search?q=pH+test+kit\"\u003eA pH\/KH test kit\u003c\/a\u003e — to dose against your own readings rather than a fixed schedule.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCovered by Seachem's standard product guarantee in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Ships as a standard parcel — no special freight handling required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill this affect my tank's general hardness (GH)?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — Seachem states it raises carbonate hardness (KH) without affecting GH, so it buffers pH without also hardening the water further.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow often do I need to dose it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDaily at first, until your test kit shows the tank has settled in the 7.8–8.4 range. After that, most tanks only need a top-up dose every two to three weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use it with Cichlid Lake Salt?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — Seachem recommends dosing this buffer alongside Cichlid Lake Salt to recreate full Rift Lake water chemistry, not just the pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat happens if I add too much?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn overdose can push pH and KH up too fast, which stresses fish. Do a partial water change and go back to smaller, gradual doses rather than continuing to add more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs it safe for plants and invertebrates?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeachem states it is not harmful to plants. For scaleless fish and invertebrates, Seachem's guidance is to dose more conservatively — start with a partial dose and work up to the full rate over time, rather than the full dose straight away. Check with us first if you're unsure about a specific livestock mix.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"300 g","offer_id":55244182421795,"sku":null,"price":28.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"600 g","offer_id":55244182454563,"sku":null,"price":48.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.2 kg","offer_id":55244182487331,"sku":null,"price":88.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 kg","offer_id":55244182520099,"sku":null,"price":214.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/0299-malawi-victoria_buffer-4_kg_bcff6205-f699-4c90-8b30-dcf65f49dbb4.png?v=1782710749","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/seachem-malawi-victoria-buffer","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}