Peat as a Substrate?

[vail94]

Does anyone have experience with paet as a substrate i currenttly have a thirty gallon tank that i am try this out in and the sponge filters that i am using appear to attract a lot of peat particles. Is a 30 gallon big enough for one male Orange Flash and 2 females and 3 blue rams? If you have any suggeations on peat as a substrate please let me know.

 

[Apistomaster]

As a Killiefish breeder I have experience with peat substrate. There isn't anything that will keep it from sticking to the sponge filter but that will not diminish the filter's usefulness.

I think it is something many Apistos could deal with but I don't think rams would be happy trying to breed in it. Then again if there are some smooth rocks available they may manage to spawn just fine. I think rams are likely to eat their own eggs regardless of the type of substrate you use.

Do you plan on a peat only or peat over sand arrangement? I would think peat over sand would be closer to the conditions natural for Apistogramma and would allow them to dig and keep clean the night time bedding pits for the fry.