Peat filtering.

[Aqua Andy]

Hi,

I am setting up an 8 UK gallon Amazon biotope tank for a small shoal of Tetra's and Oto's.

I have been researching using the internet and have read that peat filtering is benificial for keeping a stable low ph that would be ideal for maintaining optimum conditions for these fish.

I have a Fluval 1 plus internal water pump/filter with a foam filter. Could I and would it be an idea to remove the foam filter and replace it with peat filter media?

Thanks for reading my post.


Andy

 

[The-Wolf]

The fluval 1+ has sponges that are in two halfs.
I would remove one half (i.e. one sponge) and replace this with peat.
this would give you the desired effect of the peat with the additional support of the sponge, where bacteria can grow and live.

 

[Aqua Andy]

Thanks for your reply and info.

Should I put the peat in the filter losely or in a perforated plastic bag/net. I was thinking of something along the lines of a tea bag?

Have you used peat yourself?

If so what results did you get?


Andy

 

[The-Wolf]

rather than buy a bag, use the toe/leg of a stocking or tights.

I use peat in two of my tanks and the pH stays around 6.5;
the only thing is when using peat the pH should be checked at least weekly, when it starts to rise the peat needs replacing.

I must say that I also use blackwater extract in cionjuntion with the peat in one tank and just peat in the other.
I have not lost any fish scince using peat in either tank and my neons and cardinals etc, are really vibrant in colour.

 

[Aqua Andy]

Thanks again for your reply. Your info is really helpfull.

How do you prepare the water for your tank and what water do you use?

I used tap water to fill my recently purchased tank and added Nutrafin Aqua Plus (a dechlorinator etc supplied with my starter kit). I then tested the ph which was high and added a ph 6.5 buffer to try and lower it. The buffer lowered the ph a little but no matter how much I add (over the recommended dosage) it will not lower the ph to anywhere near ph 6.5. I'm not going to use anymore of the ph buffer but will the peat filter lower the ph to 6.0 - 6.5?

I was thinking of maybe filtering my tap water in future using a drinking water filter or maybe using bottled water or rain water collected in a water but.

Your thoughts on this would be very much appreciated.


Andy

 

[fish_keeper2]

thats a big no no! the ph buffer stuff does alot more harm than good. ive never filtered my water with one of those drinking water filters....i would try it(dont add it too the tank though) and then test it. if you do could you post the results

 

[The-Wolf]

I don't prepare the water (when doing water changes)
I just add the water with dechlorinator into the tank,
then top up with the blackwater extract (I put the B/W directly by the filter intake, as I feel that directly recharges/protects the filter. but thats just me, I'm wierd like that).

filtering the water, takes out a lot of the "goodness" too thus this is not really suitable for tanks, especially those that are planted.

IMHO the buffers are not woth a jot, as the peat will do a far better job

 

[Aqua Andy]

Hi,

As The Wolf advised I have cut my sponge filter media in half and added some peat in a section of tights.

The peat filter media has been in my tank for 24 hours now. The ph is approx 7.5 . Will it get lower still over time or is that the best I can achive?


Andy

 

[tigerbarb420]

I am curious to what blackwater extract is. I noticed it is added into the eco-complete substrate but I always wondered what it is and what it does. Pls explain.

 

[The-Wolf]

I will lower in time.
depending on the amount of peat used you may get it to 6.5

 

[Dubby]

I was thinking of maybe filtering my tap water in future using a drinking water filter or maybe using  bottled water or rain water collected in a water but.

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Using a drinking water filter is not recommended as some of them use chemical compounds to make it safe for drinking. These chemicals are not good for fish.