Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt – Rift Lake Mineral Salt for African Cichlids

Give African cichlids the mineral-rich water of their home lakes.

Rift Lake cichlids evolved in hard, mineral-dense water — and plain tap water leaves out the calcium, magnesium, and potassium they need for color, growth, and breeding.

Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt is a chemically complete blend that replicates the Rift Lake environment, with all the essential elements (magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium) plus trace iron, aluminum, and iodide — not just Epsom salt and baking soda like cheaper mixes. Pair with Malawi/Victoria or Tanganyika Buffer to set carbonate hardness and pH.

Seachem Laboratories has engineered aquarium water chemistry since 1979 from its labs in Madison, Georgia, where in-house chemists formulate products that work together as a system. Cichlid Lake Salt reflects that approach: rather than a two-ingredient substitute, it delivers the full spectrum of major and trace elements found in the Rift Lakes, and it is designed to pair with Seachem's buffers so general hardness, carbonate hardness, and pH are all set deliberately.

1. Dissolve in fresh water and add when setting up or with water changes.
2. Per 40 L (10 gal): Tanganyika 11 g, Malawi 5.5 g, Victoria 3.6 g.
3. Don't add when only replacing evaporated water.

Recreate the lakes of Africa. Add to cart.

Why Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt

• Chemically complete: supplies calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium plus trace iron, aluminum, and iodide — not just Epsom salt and baking soda.
• Replicates the Rift Lakes: recreates the hard, mineral-dense water Tanganyika, Malawi, and Victoria cichlids evolved in.
• Species-specific dosing: published per-lake doses and target GH ranges so you match each lake precisely.
• Part of a system: engineered by Seachem to pair with Malawi/Victoria or Tanganyika Buffer for KH and pH.

Best For

Rift Lake African cichlids — Tanganyikan, Malawi (mbuna and haps), and Victorian species that need hard, mineral-rich water for color, growth, and breeding.

FAQ

Which lake and species is this for? African Rift Lake cichlids from Tanganyika, Malawi, and Victoria; each lake has its own dose and target GH (Tanganyika 8–14 dGH, Malawi 4–8 dGH, Victoria 3–6 dGH).

Does this set pH? No — Cichlid Lake Salt adjusts general hardness (GH). Pair it with a Seachem buffer (Malawi/Victoria or Tanganyika Buffer) to set carbonate hardness (KH) and pH.

How do I dose to a target GH? Doses are based on DI/RO water (per 40 L: Tanganyika 11 g, Malawi 5.5 g, Victoria 3.6 g). For other water, measure GH first and add to reach your target range.

What It Does

A complete Rift-Lake mineral salt blend supplying calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and trace elements to replicate the African cichlid environment. Adjusts general hardness (GH); use with a Seachem buffer for KH and pH.

Directions

All doses per 40 L (10 US gallons): Tanganyika 11 g (1.5 tsp), Malawi 5.5 g (3/4 tsp), Victoria 3.6 g (1/2 tsp). Doses are based on DI/RO water — for other water, measure GH first and add to need. Recommended GH: Tanganyika 8–14 dGH, Malawi 4–8 dGH, Victoria 3–6 dGH. Best dissolved in fresh water first; use at setup and with water changes, not when topping off evaporation.

Guaranteed Analysis (per 1 g)

Calcium 3.24–3.50% · Magnesium 11.83% (min) · Potassium 10.08% (min) · Sodium 3.53–3.75% · Aluminum 0.90 mg · Iodine 0.02 mg · Iron 0.20 mg · Selenium 0.00002 mg · Zinc 0.007 mg.

Ingredients

Magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium sulfate, sodium chloride, aluminum sulfate, iron sulfate, potassium iodide.

Available Sizes

250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 4 kg

Caution

Causes serious eye irritation; may cause skin burns. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid skin contact and wear suitable gloves.