View Full Version : peat moss ????
I picked up a couple different bags of peat moss
1 bag from Home Depot; Scott's Sphagnum Peat moss in a small 8qt bag..the ingedients say: Contains 100% spagnum peat moss (pic of bag below)
and 1 small bag from the pet shop thats just moss in a clear bag.
now neither of these bags say anything about additives,but I decided to check first..I put a handfull of each in a separate 2l bottle then added a few cups of RO/DI water;let those sit and soak for a few days shaking them up whenever I remembered to do so..
Last night I filtered some of the water through coffee filters and tested the 5ml of water for Nitrate....
really red,I'd say 60 on the API color card so obviously both bags of the peat have some ferts in them;so now what do I do ?http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/images/smilies/help.gif
I wanted to use the peat as a replacement for buying blackwater extract,use in the filter and as a layer under the substrate. Where can I find some peat moss that I can use and what am I looking for ? anyone have a pic of the stuff they use or pics of the bag ??
jm1212
05-26-2008, 2:29 PM
why do you need to use peat moss?
DAVIDFBT
05-26-2008, 2:33 PM
^It makes a blackwater environment that most Amazonian fish like.
I got a big bulk bag of sphagnum peat moss from Lowe's too, except that it was in a 40-50 pound bag and the brand was greensmix. It comes in a rectanglish green-ish compressed bag.
EDIT: I also use this peat moss as a substrate for my Fire-Bellied Toads, so I know it is safe for fish. (FBTs have extremely sensitive skin) Although I haven't used it for fish yet.
Rbishop
05-26-2008, 3:30 PM
It wouldn't surprise me to see some nitrates...it is rotting vegetation.
Can you shoot us a pic of the label of ingedients?
It wouldn't surprise me to see some nitrates...it is rotting vegetation.
Can you shoot us a pic of the label of ingedients?
I could,but all it says is : Ingredients:
Contains 100% spagnum peat moss
The stuff from the pet shop is in a clear bag with Peat Moss written on it in black sharpie;just a small bag from a bulk bag they buy and sell smaller batches of in the reptile supplies :confused:
echoofformless
05-26-2008, 4:15 PM
I've used it before and it works okay - but it's not as good as the proper aquarium peat that you can get from Sera or Hagen. The reasons being that their peat is compressed into pellets which not only means you get more peat into smaller volume but also that the water can flow through the media and make more contact with it. Plain old garden peat just clumps and the water mainly will flow around it rather than through it. Plus with all but the most tightly woven media bags you will get a lot of mess as the smallest granules will constantly be coming through the bag and into the tank.
True that the aquarium peat will cost you a bit, but I offset that cost by buying the pond sized bags. Keep in mind also that you can run the aquarium peat far longer than the garden stuff. I've had it remain effective for months at a time. The garden stuff needs almost biweekly replacement.
I've never had a nitrate issue with either of the choices. But then I also use it in well planted tanks where I have to add nitrate anyway. And on top of that when I did use garden peat it was a different brand. One of those huge bales with no particularly memorable brand name.
DAVIDFBT
05-26-2008, 4:16 PM
I forgot to mention that the big compressed bag I bought was about 12 dollars. The bag has lasted me about a year and it is only half empty. (Or half full)
I used peat from Sera in granules form like echoofformless mentioned with the additional Indian almond leaves.:)
I'll have my wife drive me the 30min+ each way to a Lowes and see what I can find..if nothing then I'll just order a bag or two of the pond peat pellets and some Indian Almond leaves..
anyone have a good place to get the pond size bags of peat pellets ??
Lupin
05-26-2008, 11:52 PM
Icom, you could try oak leaves if almond leaves are not prominent there.:)
Icom, you could try oak leaves if almond leaves are not prominent there.:)
I can get all the Oak leaves I want..they would be leaves that fell last fall though,would they be ok to use ? I can get bucket loads of them from the farm I deer hunt on;there's a small pond by the house lined with huge oaks,that water is almost black from them leaves falling in there.
no alomond leaves around here,I'd have to order them from someplace:confused:
revernance
05-29-2008, 3:08 AM
Hey! I've been planning to use the peat moss for my Walstad Style tank.
I think the brand you were using is Scotts, which is affiliated with Miracle grow, which are known for adding fertilizers.
http://www.builderdepot.com/seo/THESCOTTSCO_BM/138584_8QT_SPHAGNUM_PEAT_MOSS.ihtml
http://www.acehardware.com/sm-schultz-and-reg-peat-moss-20278--pi-1335620.html
There's another brand called Schultz Spagnum Peat moss.
I hope I'm not mistaken.
Anyway, I've been meaning to try Peat moss. I wonder if I should give the Schultz Brand a Try.
http://www.schultz.com/ProductCategories/Soilsamendments/PeatMoss/
I might give Schultz a call tomorrow. :)
It does say that Spaghnum Peat Moss contain organic material. I think it might release A LOT of nutrient in the water column, and therefore might increase algae growth.
EDIT: I did a bit of reading. I think Schultz is the better brand for this purpose.
I can get all the Oak leaves I want..they would be leaves that fell last fall though,would they be ok to use ? I can get bucket loads of them from the farm I deer hunt on;there's a small pond by the house lined with huge oaks,that water is almost black from them leaves falling in there.
no alomond leaves around here,I'd have to order them from someplace:confused:
If you are sure the place where the leaves fall is safe from possible pollution, contamination of pesticides, etc, then go for it.
Draal5
05-29-2008, 8:05 AM
I use Schultz's peat and have had no ill effects over the past 2 years that I have been using it.
I use it in terracotta pots for my plants thou not for the black water effect in a filter
revernance
05-29-2008, 1:02 PM
I use Schultz's peat and have had no ill effects over the past 2 years that I have been using it.
I use it in terracotta pots for my plants thou not for the black water effect in a filter
That's good to hear :).
What else is in your substrate besides Schultz peat?
If you are sure the place where the leaves fall is safe from possible pollution, contamination of pesticides, etc, then go for it.
pretty sure..the house sits on a hill and is surrounded by huge oak trees.The grain fields are well below there.
I went to Lowes and picked up one of the compressed bales of peat,no problem with it:headbang2:..I got the smallest bale and its probably going to last me a few years;still something like 20lbs maybe more. The brand is Premier,green and white square compressed bale