Peat preparation for substrate

beviking

beviking

Senior Member, Sophomoric Attitude
Feb 16, 2002
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I don't want my water turning brown and since I'm planning on using peat under my Onyx sand, should I boil it like driftwood until it's clear?
Also, I should use just enough to cover the bottom of the tank, correct? I plan on using all the mulm I can syphon out of my tank too.
 
I add peat, but not much. It does not discolor the water in my tanks. If you plan on lots of peat, that is different. But extensive pre-treatment is going to remove some of things which you are using the peat to do - sort of a self-defeating process.
 
Just a dusting is all you need. This will not discolor the water and you won't even know it's there if you cover it with a nice layer of substrate.
I agree with RTR. Pre-treatment is not necessary.

Len
 
Thanks. Dusted the bottom, actually, I soaked it to get it water logged so it would sit on the bottom (still had a little water in the tank). I used Hagen peat plates (broke them up) and the directions say cover the bottom with them. These things are 1/2"-3/4" thick! Must be for some serious depth in the substrate?
 
It's not necessary to cover the bottom with those thick plates. That will take an awful lot of room. Shred and grind them up into as fine a consistency as possible and sprinkle it on the bottom. A very light dusting is all that is necessary.
If you have some mulm from an established filter pad/sponge to squeeze out onto the peat that would be great.
Then lay in the substrate on top of that and fill slowly.

Len
 
Yeah, I did shred them and only cover the bottom. Plus I used all the mulm from my last vaccuming. Holy cr@p, I did something right! Yahoooooo!!:D
 
Well you'll see a difference in the start up.
Make sure to add as many plants as you can from day one.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
Certainly. I've actually cut back a little on my planned order because I don't think there will be enough room! Better to have too many than too few so I haven't cut it back too drastically!
 
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