peat moss ????

[Icom]

Icom, you could try oak leaves if almond leaves are not prominent there.

I can get all the Oak leaves I want..they would be leaves that fell last fall though,would they be ok to use ? I can get bucket loads of them from the farm I deer hunt on;there's a small pond by the house lined with huge oaks,that water is almost black from them leaves falling in there.

no alomond leaves around here,I'd have to order them from someplace

 

[revernance]

Hey! I've been planning to use the peat moss for my Walstad Style tank.
I think the brand you were using is Scotts, which is affiliated with Miracle grow, which are known for adding fertilizers.
http://www.builderdepot.com/seo/THESCOTTSCO_BM/138584_8QT_SPHAGNUM_PEAT_MOSS.ihtml
http://www.acehardware.com/sm-schultz-and-reg-peat-moss-20278--pi-1335620.html

There's another brand called Schultz Spagnum Peat moss.
I hope I'm not mistaken.

Anyway, I've been meaning to try Peat moss. I wonder if I should give the Schultz Brand a Try.
http://www.schultz.com/ProductCategories/Soilsamendments/PeatMoss/

I might give Schultz a call tomorrow.

It does say that Spaghnum Peat Moss contain organic material. I think it might release A LOT of nutrient in the water column, and therefore might increase algae growth.

EDIT: I did a bit of reading. I think Schultz is the better brand for this purpose.

 

[Lupin]

I can get all the Oak leaves I want..they would be leaves that fell last fall though,would they be ok to use ? I can get bucket loads of them from the farm I deer hunt on;there's a small pond by the house lined with huge oaks,that water is almost black from them leaves falling in there.

no alomond leaves around here,I'd have to order them from someplace

If you are sure the place where the leaves fall is safe from possible pollution, contamination of pesticides, etc, then go for it.

 

[Draal5]

I use Schultz's peat and have had no ill effects over the past 2 years that I have been using it.

I use it in terracotta pots for my plants thou not for the black water effect in a filter

 

[revernance]

I use Schultz's peat and have had no ill effects over the past 2 years that I have been using it.

I use it in terracotta pots for my plants thou not for the black water effect in a filter

That's good to hear .
What else is in your substrate besides Schultz peat?

 

[Icom]

If you are sure the place where the leaves fall is safe from possible pollution, contamination of pesticides, etc, then go for it.

pretty sure..the house sits on a hill and is surrounded by huge oak trees.The grain fields are well below there.

I went to Lowes and picked up one of the compressed bales of peat,no problem with it:headbang2:..I got the smallest bale and its probably going to last me a few years;still something like 20lbs maybe more. The brand is Premier,green and white square compressed bale