I just bought a thousand pounds (or it seems) for $5 and want to use it. I put some in a nylon and have it sitting in the tank, its been a few days and I haven't noticed any benefits, or changes for that matter.
Anyone use peat moss?
- Thread starter electromen
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Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
Right. I wasn't too specific.
I have it in the nylon, in the filter.. but the problem is that it doesn't pass through it that fast and causes the filter to back up. I've tried the media bags sold at the LFS and those work ok, not great. I've just used the peat in a whisper bag but a lot of debris seems to get through... is that something I'll have to accept using this crap?
Oh BTW I'm going for a blackwater setup.
Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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You have to wash it first before you place it in your filter to remove debris. What is your KH? High KH makes lowering pH difficult.
I'll have to check my KH in the morning.. I can't remember what it is right now.
I wash it before I use it.. this stuff just doesn't rinse clean. I just get it as good as I can.
I wash it before I use it.. this stuff just doesn't rinse clean. I just get it as good as I can.
I've never been a big fan of peat moss. It is difficult to regulate the usage, is high maintainance, and just plain messy. I suggest using a combination of products such as Proper pH 6.5 (Aquarium Pharmacuticals) and a Blackwater Extract additive.
Using peat to lower hardness and pH is similar to using an undergravel filter for biological filtration. It works, but there are just so many other options you have no reason to use a cave-man technique.
Using peat to lower hardness and pH is similar to using an undergravel filter for biological filtration. It works, but there are just so many other options you have no reason to use a cave-man technique.
A highish kH will give you a high pH, but at least it will be a stable pH. Just stick with it. A high stable pH is fine and you can have any fish you want in that for the most part... Tetra in 8.5 here...
lets go ahead and bring up the question.. why are you trying to lower your pH? MOST fish can adapt to a wide range of pH, and i CERTAINLY do not recommend using chemical additives to alter your pH, since it doesnt REALLY alter the pH and you'll find yourself having to check it daily and keep adding more chemicals, and have to deal with it swinging back and forth, which will cause more problems than leaving it alone. 
I would have to say that using any of the "Proper pH" type products can be just as tricky to maintain a stable environment. They are usually large doses of phosphates and can really mess with the TDS of your water.
If peat were a caveman technique then why do so many planted tanks still use it. And tell me how a undergravel filter is cavemanish? Does it not filter?
My goal is to make a blackwater biotope and eventually hold some discus in there. I would buy RO water but I have a back injury and live on the 3rd floor. I'm working on getting an RO unit, thats why I don't have discus yet. I've heard methods of having a container full of water, using peat in a stocking, measure the PH that way, and add to the tank. That way you'd be able to keep a close eye on it and accurately maintain the PH in the tank.lets go ahead and bring up the question.. why are you trying to lower your pH? MOST fish can adapt to a wide range of pH, and i CERTAINLY do not recommend using chemical additives to alter your pH, since it doesnt REALLY alter the pH and you'll find yourself having to check it daily and keep adding more chemicals, and have to deal with it swinging back and forth, which will cause more problems than leaving it alone.