skoram
Active Member
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Although I have an RO/DI filter, there are times when I'd prefer to use tap water that has been softened just a bit (water from my tap comes out at around 107 ppm TDS and pH 7.4) instead of re-mineralizing 0 TDS water.
I have read about peat filtration methods from various sources (and tried it myself a few times) but I have always been slightly uncertain as to what should actually be used. Some sources just refer to "peat" while others refer to ""peat moss" and yet others mention sphagnum peat moss. I know that these all basically come from the same source, but I ask here in case one type may be better or more effective than another. To my understanding, there are basically two "types" of peat.
There is the processed peat (see below) that is dark brown which somewhat resembles soil (and is frequently used in substrate mixes) and is also sold in a compressed pellet form for use as filter media. For this latter reason I believed that this was the type of peat which should be used for conditioning water.
Then there is the unprocessed dried sphagnum peat moss which is, well, just dried sphagnum peat moss:
As mentioned above, my understanding is that the soil-like processed peat should be used but I also know that the dried yellow stuff should also soften and acidify water. If they are both equally effective, I would in fact prefer to use the dried yellow stuff as the resulting water will come out a bit "cleaner" (I have enough rotting leaves and driftwood to provide tannins and humic compounds) but would like to absolutely certain.
I have read about peat filtration methods from various sources (and tried it myself a few times) but I have always been slightly uncertain as to what should actually be used. Some sources just refer to "peat" while others refer to ""peat moss" and yet others mention sphagnum peat moss. I know that these all basically come from the same source, but I ask here in case one type may be better or more effective than another. To my understanding, there are basically two "types" of peat.
There is the processed peat (see below) that is dark brown which somewhat resembles soil (and is frequently used in substrate mixes) and is also sold in a compressed pellet form for use as filter media. For this latter reason I believed that this was the type of peat which should be used for conditioning water.

Then there is the unprocessed dried sphagnum peat moss which is, well, just dried sphagnum peat moss:

As mentioned above, my understanding is that the soil-like processed peat should be used but I also know that the dried yellow stuff should also soften and acidify water. If they are both equally effective, I would in fact prefer to use the dried yellow stuff as the resulting water will come out a bit "cleaner" (I have enough rotting leaves and driftwood to provide tannins and humic compounds) but would like to absolutely certain.