Peat Filtration

[Robin]

Well, in order to keep Apistos (and most other SA cichlids) I am going to have to bring my pH down from 7.8. I've read that the easiest method is to drop a bag of peat into the filter box. My question is how evaporation top offs and general water changes are handled using this method? Do they need any special treatment (ie. use of DI or RO water) before being added to the tank?

After 24 hours my tap water registeres the 7.7-7.8, no other chemicals such as dechlorinators have been added yet.

Some params:

pH: 7.8
GH: 7 degrees
KH: 5 degrees

Any other pH/hardness advice is welcome as well, not just to this method.

Thanks!

 

[johninfrance]

Robin,

Read the post above about lowering pH without CO2 (which is another option). Apparently a little bag of peat in the filter lasts about 3 weeks and then you need to change it.

I found that I keep testing the pH to make sure it's okay. I may however buy a RO thing-a-magig to get lowered pH without lugging bottles of RO water from the LFS.

Good luck !

 

[Neil]

Robin,
johninfrance is correct. You will definitely see results using peat on your tap water considering your KH, but it will be much easier to deal with your pH if you "cut" the water with RO. The fish that you are considering (in the other thread) will probably be fine in your straight tap, but you leave yourself fairly restricted on what types of fish that you can easily house and, even, breed. You may also try Seachem Acid Buffer, if you aren't inclined to get a small RO or purchase water. This should help achieve the desired results, as I believe it reduces KH as well as lowers pH. This can be obtained at the "store" here via tjudy, as well as an RO unit (if that is the way you want to go).
Good luck,
Neil