peat?

B

b rob

AC Members
Dec 17, 2006
67
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pittsburgh
What is it, where do I find it, how do I use it, and is it safe? Lots of detail would be appreciated.

It's gunna be used for lowering my ph, in case you were unsure.
 
Hope this helps:
Peat moss softens water and reduces its hardness (GH). The most effective way to soften water via peat is to aerate water for 1-2 weeks in a bucket containing peat moss. For example, get a (plastic) bucket of the appropriate size. Then, get a large quantity of peat (a gallon or more), boil it (so that it sinks), stuff it in a pillow case, and place it in the water bucket. Use an air pump to aerate it. In 1-2 weeks, the water will be softer and more acidic. Use this aged water when making partial water changes on your tank.

Peat can be bought at pet shops, but it is expensive. It is much more cost-effective to buy it in bulk at a local gardening shop. Read labels carefully! You don't want to use peat containing fertilizers or other additives.

Although some folks place peat in the filters of their tanks, the technique has a number of drawbacks. First, peat clogs easily, so adding peat isn't always effective. Second, peat can be messy and may cloud the water in your tank. Third, the exact quantity of peat needed to effectively soften your water is difficult to estimate. Using the wrong amount results in the wrong water chemistry. Finally, when doing water changes, your tank's chemistry changes when new water is added (it has the wrong properties). Over the next few days, the chemistry changes as the peat takes effect. Using aged water helps ensure that the chemistry of your tank doesn't fluctuate while doing water changes.
Click to expand...

from http://fins.actwin.com/aquariafaq.html
 
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can this be kept in the tank as a plant substrate?
 
I used to put peat in panty hose, tie that shut and place it in my aquaclear filter for my discus tank.
 
hmm, in the next tank I will have to try it. I have always wondered.
 
I think I'm gunna try the bucket method. Seems the best way to get a stable ph. Do you think it'd be wise to monitor my gh and kh as well?
 
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I have done peat- did it in the stocking in the filter- almost crashed the tank. Since then gave up peat. If I want to change my paramas from what comes from the tap, I will get an ro unit etc etc.
 
peat is overrated. only wild discus need it to simulate the place they came from. i have 9 discus that never knew what peat was and still had babies. also if you have problems breeding discus, one of the changes that you bring in to stimulate spawning is add peat extract. never you should add peat itself into the filter, because it will acumulate the durt and will do more harm than good. use RO units, much better
 
mmk.... so I went to old wally world and got some peat moss and a 26 gallon garbage can for like 10 bucks. Not bad for an experiment. That article says to use an air pump... but I dunno why? I'm gunna leave it out unless someone comes up with some sort of logical explaination of why I should use one, and how powerful of one I should get. I looked at a 5 - 15 gallon, but said forget it. Any suggestions? Oh, and I have to leave this in the cold cuz my moms won't let me do it inside, think this will have any effect? I know I'll have to bring it to temp before it goes in the tank, but I don't want it to effect the process or whatever is going on in the can.
 
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