Peat Moss Filtration...

[Apistoman]

Hi all,

Im just about to start peat moss filtration (never attempted before). Which is the best way to to it? Is it to put it into the sponge filter like carbon or is it to just let it lie on the substrate?
Also, when you use it how often does it need changing? Does it lose its ever lose its pH lowering properties? And finally, how much do you add?
Sorry for all the questions haha but i want to get it right first time!

Cheers

 

[Mike Wise]

First, I hope you are using something like sphagnum peat, not peat moss. Peat moss is a nice flower, but I don't think it will do much for your tank.

There are many ways to use peat. I personally don't put it in my tanks. Instead, I use a separate container, put it in a bag and allow water to cycle through it. I then use the peat-treated water in water changes. Others put peat in their power box/canister filters. I don't care for this method because water values are harder to control. Yes, peat will lose its pH/KH lowering ability. It really depends on the values of the water with which you start and how soft/acid you want the water to be. Again, how much you use depends on the pH/hardness of the original water and what values you want the water to finally be.

 

[Linus_Cello]

One suggestion for a porous "bag"- panty hose.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Like Mike says, I use a variation on the panty hose ("tights" for those in the UK) theme, a cotton pillow case in a water butt full of rain water.

This subject comes up quite often, so if you do need more information than Mike gave you, we have a number of threads, which I think should link to this one: <http://www.apistogramma.com/forum/index.php?threads/sphagnum-moss.12164/>.

cheers Darrel

 

[Apistoman]

Okay thanks for the info guys!

How much would you put in the tights for a 60L tank and how long would that last for?

 

[Mike Wise]

Is this a 60L tank with fish or a 60L tank used solely for making blackwater? And how hard is your water right now (dGH/dKH)? And what values do you want for your aquarium water?

 

[ButtNekkid]

Hi,

How do you guys add peat filtered water to your tanks?
I filter it through Jbl´s fine filter bags during water changes. https://www.jbl.de/?lang=en&mod=products&func=detail&id=2430

Is there any harm to livestock if I just pour it in straight from the peatbucket.
Will the filters clog up if I do?

 

[Mike Wise]

Everyone has a different system. I don't add peat to my aquariums. I just add peat-treated water from a holding tank to my fish tanks as water changes.

 

[ButtNekkid]

Everyone has a different system. I don't add peat to my aquariums. I just add peat-treated water from a holding tank to my fish tanks as water changes.

Yes, I know you do, but do you pour it straight from the holding tank? No filtration in this phase?

 

[Mike Wise]

Define 'holding tank'? If you mean the processing tank, I circulate R/O water through the peat until I need it. If you mean the fish tank, I add it to the tank like I would any other water I would use for water changes.

 

[ButtNekkid]

Allrighty, that clears things up. I just wanted to know how pros do it. I´ll try your way in next water change