Peat Moss as Substrate

This is a great book which describes a killifish setup (biotope of sorts) using peat moss as a substrate:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Aquarium-Peter-W-Scott/dp/0785770534

I would say, try it. If killifish are the only residents, you are not likely to have anything stirring up the substrate and probably won't have much detritus to clean up either. If you are running only gentle filtration (no powerful HOBs or canister filters blasting water out) then again, it should not really make too much of a mess. Coir fiber could also be used instead of peat.

If you don't like how much it stains the water, run some carbon. If it gets moved around too much (by your hands in the tank, for example) cover it with brown gravel. The worst thing that can happen is that you'll have to remove it and use something else!
 
...peat-lover...:headshake2:
How about placing it into a little pouch into the filter - then U can remove it at will without having billions of peat particle floating all over in the tank water...just a suggestion...
 
I dont see the need to spend $20 or any $ on such elementary book. I would rather spend that $ obtaining new rearing tanks.

No need for carbon either. You can soak peat in water and squeeze the Black Water Extract out of swelled peat. Repeat several times and now you have exhausted/greatly reduced their properties.

What to do with Black Water Extract? Im sure you will find someone who can use such product on the forum. DOnt know if you will make any $ but should find very appreciative members.:)
 
Cerianthus said:
I dont see the need to spend $20 or any $ on such elementary book. I would rather spend that $ obtaining new rearing tanks.
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Have you even read this book? It has 13 detailed freshwater setups, not strictly biotopes, but close. Each setup gets a 6 page spread, including a beautiful finished photo. They have names like "West Africa floodplain swamp" and "Papua New Guinea sandy river" so not really beginner setups.

I got this book for a penny used, paid $4 shipping...I've referred to it many times for inspiration, and it cost less than a magazine from the book store! I would probably stop and think for a moment before I say to someone that the book they are recommending is elementary or overpriced. Especially if it is available as a penny Amazon book, and is not a book that I am familiar with.
 
:thm: Heh, how about a picture of the book's cover? Would love to see it and then look it up on the internet.

I have a whole library of aquarium books at home, and I love it. Many of these books are from the Tetra company - $15 per book, HOWEVER, I purchased them at $2.50 at our small monthly auctions.
Stop fighting boys.:headshake2:
 
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This is the book. I know from the description it sounds like a basic "how to" book, but it's obviously not - or it wouldn't have a killifish setup! That's under "West Africa floodplain swamp"

It's really much more like this book, by Peter Hiscock:
http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Desi...=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298740297&sr=1-3

Another excellent resource, btw :)
 
WeedCali said:
I think he judged the book by its cover :laugh:
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Assumption is bad habit!!:joke::laugh:

I wouldnt paid a $ for either books, especially $ 100 for design/aquascaping books. Would look at it though for free if and when possible, (received and still receiving enough of such books from occasion to occasion only to return for credits toward children's book/informative fish books which I may not own yet when and if possible) as it may give me ideas to create my own versions, incorporated into what I want to achieve.

I may still have such books collecting dust in my collections after giving away most elementary books.

One of good things about being in Fish industry was that it allowed me to view the books before buying.

Besides, forum like this provide ample suggestions, hopefully from ones experiences + reading materials.
 
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I've tried peat as a substrate in several experimental set-ups with smaller tanks, I've tried filtering water meant for water changes through peat, and I've tried peat in the filter. I was never very happy with having peat substrate, for many reasons I don't care to elaborate on here. Suffice it to say, it didn't provide very stable support for planting (can be overcome), you really can't clean it, and eventually you have to replace it (if you're counting on it to keep the pH lower). Filtering water through peat for each water change is great, but it was time consuming and ended up being a messy affair. Placing peat in the filters never really seemed to have much affect on pH or hardness (maybe I didn't use enough) and even with carbon filtering, the water would stain too dark to really enjoy the color of the fish. I'm sure the fish loved it though.

When your brother mentioned that the killies love peat, I wonder if he meant that they are peat spawners? If that's the case, you really don't need to have peat in the tank at all times, just if you want them to breed and spawn. In that case, its possible to place some presoaked peat into a small dish...just enough for them to lay their eggs in and that will suffice.

If I overlooked this tidbit, I apologize, but did you find out what kind of killifish you have? Ask your brother if you can and let us know, or maybe post photos if you can.

And my humble opinion, you can use peat as a substrate, I just didn't find it to my liking, that doesn't mean you won't. You might want to test it out in a small experimental set-up the way I did, and use that to make your final decision. Personally, I don't think it's necessary for any of the more common killies, except for spawning some "annuals" and even then there are alternatives like the dish method I mentioned. Also, if something goes wrong with a peat substrate, it'd be a shame to lose such lovely fish to an accident.
 
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