Peat info please

[Mini Me]

I have heard that peat is good for lowering pH? but how do i know how much it will lower the pH? is it just try smaller and larger amounts untill its about right? if I put it in the external filter, will it ever need changing at all? does it lose its pH lowering value after a while? also will it colour the water at all? and where do i get it from? is it just standard peat from a garden centre?

sorry for all those questions, but i dont like putting things in my tank unless I am certain it is ok todo so! How much peat would u recommend for a big tank, about 70us gal, the normal water pH is about 7.5 and i want it to go down to aroung 6.8

Thanks in advance

 

[wetmanNY]

Peat responses

Originally posted by Mini Me
I have heard that peat is good for lowering pH?Yes.
but how do i know how much it will lower the pH?Depends on how stabilized your pH is with the natural carbonate buffering you have. Is it just try smaller and larger amounts until it's about right?Yes that's about it. If I put it in the external filter, will it ever need changing at all? Nothing is forever in love or filtration.does it lose its pH lowering value after a while?Yes. When your pH starts to slide back up, the peat has done all it can. Use it in the garden. also will it colour the water at all? Yes. Golden. and where do i get it from? is it just standard peat from a garden centre?Yes. Plain unadulterated peat with no additives.

sorry for all those questions, but i dont like putting things in my tank unless I am certain it is ok todo so! I'm with you there!.How much peat would u recommend for a big tank, about 70us gal, the normal water pH is about 7.5 and i want it to go down to aroung 6.8Get a big plastic funnel that sits on a big jug. Wet the peat once with boiling water, and do some inexpensive experimenting! and tell us your results too!.

Thanks in advance

 

[Mini Me]

Thanks for the reply!

Get a big plastic funnel that sits on a big jug. Wet the peat once with boiling water, and do some inexpensive experimenting! and tell us your results too!.

Why does it need to be wet with boiling water first?

Will the pH instantly change as it runs thru the peat then?

and last Q , can i stop it from making the water golden?

Thanks

 

[125gJoe]

Fluval Peat

I bought the Fluval peat granules. Figured this is the easiest way to go. They're little pellets/ganules and I put them in a fine mesh bag near the outlet of the Fluval canister so the water flow will disperse the peat. The first time I used peat, I put it inside the canister filter and put too much in. The water darkened too much for my liking, so had to re-do the canister filter. With having the bag hanging in the tank I can easily remove it when I need to. Also, replace it easily.. I used about 1/3 to 1/2 peat in the small bag.

 

[djlen]

I'm told that the tannins in the peat, which cause the darkening of the water can be removed, over time, in two ways. Water changes, and using charcoal in your filter is supposed to remove it. Again, over time. Keep in mind that as long as you have the peat in the tank it will continue to release the tannins.
Len

 

[BluEyes]

Originally posted by Mini Me
Why does it need to be wet with boiling water first?

*I don't think it does.

Will the pH instantly change as it runs thru the peat then?

*No - it's a gradual process.

and last Q , can i stop it from making the water golden?

*Activated carbon will remove the tannins that make the water golden. But, the tannins are also acidic, and part of the reason that the pH drops, so you'll be partly defeating yourself.

Try it for awhile - it's actually quite nice. When I brewed peat water for my Amazon tank, the glowlites, pencils, and hatchets showed much better color. The effect in the tank was quite beautiful.

 

[famman]

Wet the peat with boiling water to 'prime' it and pull off the worse of the tannins and other stuff that browns your water.

 

[wetmanNY]

When peat is bone dry it refuses to get wet. Instead it floats around till you're irritated and bored. The boiling water that wets it does draw off some darkening tannins. But the same tannins are locking up calcium and magnesium from the water, which is the softening action you're looking for.

I find that water continues to be softened with peat, even after it's no longer discolored. That's my water: very lightly buffered. YMMV.

The problem with water changes to reduce the amber color is that you'd be replacing peat-softened water with unsoftened water with more buffer and higher pH.

Carbon would remove the color without adding dissolved minerals.