Help A.S.A.P - Peat Moss

[Steven A]

I pruchased some peat moss and wa sinformed that all I do is simply add it into the tank. So i did ! The water is black and all the peat moss is floating ?

How can I get it to sink ?

 

[rich311k]

I would put it in a bag in the filter.

 

[Steven A]

I thought it was meant to help plant growth ?

 

[rich311k]

It softens the water by releasing tannins, just like driftwood. Only it has a lot more tannins. Have you checked your PH.

 

[Steven A]

Yes ... 6.5. since added.

 

[Steven A]

It is still floating so do I just remove it all ?

 

[rich311k]

If you take it all out the PH is going to go back up. Did iit drop a lot or a little?

 

[Steven A]

It dropped .5 after looking at options etc ... I am considering to put a pair of yellow labs in there which means I want it to go back up so I empty 3/4 of water and then refilled. I am waiting for some of it to settle and then am going to do another water change.

 

[rich311k]

No fish in the tank? AC in the filter will help get rid of it too.

 

[Steven A]

There are no fish in the tank. I have managed to get rid of alot and am scopping lots of the rest out every so often so it is starting to clear up.

 

[malkore]

I admit I've never used peat, but from what I've read, you'd use peat plates, underneath the substrate, when it's for plant use.

 

[Jchillin]

Not to go off topic but:

I thought it was meant to help plant growth ?

I would love to know where that advice came from.

 

[malkore]

I know some people who go the whole layered substrate system swear by it. layer of peat, layer of soil, layer of gravel on top.

More often, i see peat used to release tannins to replicate 'blackwater' conditions that some fish live in.

The only time I ever used peat was peat moss in a diorama for a 7th grade English project. I recall getting an A- 8)

 

[sudz]

I used peat in my 10 gallon to lower the GH. didn't do squat. Maybe lowered it a degree or 2, and made my tank into tea water

I got peat pellets from a fluval peat kit, and wrapped it in the polyester stuffing i use as my filter (god bless Aquaclear filters)

I have also heard of using it as an under-substrate fertilizer. I imagine it turns messy after a while though!

 

[czcz]

As Malkore said it needs to be below the substrate to help plants while avoiding issues. It takes a couple days of soaking to get water logged and stay down.

FWIW: I used peat plates below the substrate in my Walstad-ish tank and they come up after uprooting too easily once crypts reach down there. I will not use peat plates again.

I have a thin layer of Canadian sphagnum peat moss below pumice and mulm below ADA Aquasoil in another tank. A young tank but so far so good.

 

[Steven A]

Well I dida 75% water change and tank P.H. has risen to 6.8.
Water is a bit merky still but doing fine. I added just normal pea gravel after the water change. The tank has rcovered and looks well. What should I add then? LOL

 

[czcz]

You could just fertilize in the water column if your plants need it. Check out all the stickies if you have not already

 

[Orcus332]

Yes, I have heard of using peat as a bottom layer. Due to its acidic properties, it is able to facilitate the leeching of minerals out of whatever it is in proximity with (eco-complete, flourite, etc.) thus providing more nutrients for your plants.

 

[Crusis]

Does the peat contain trace nutrients and minerals the plants need as well? Or does it just suck the stuff out of the other substrate and bring it into the proximity of roots? I'm curious, because I hear that peat will dramatically lower your Ph, and that is something I really need for my newer tanks. My tap Ph is 8.4. If it helps plants, that's even better.

 

[Jchillin]

Not to go off topic but:

I thought it was meant to help plant growth ?

I would love to know where that advice came from.

Sorry about not being clear. The original statement I wanted clarification on was dosing the peat directly into the water column.