supasi Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 hi all can anyone tell me about the benefits of using peat in my discus tank. i read somewhere that is can be used to help lower the ph and reduce hardness of water, ill be the first to admit i am not really an expert on water conditioning so any help appreciated :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke* Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 The natural elements in peat make it ideal to use in a discus tank, as well as for many south american species. It's properties calm the fish and can also make them so randy they'll spawn. Peat does reduce the pH and the hardness in the water making it also more ideal for these species. Peat also darkens the water making it more like the natural habitat of these great fish. We should all try to do what we can to make it as homelike as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 whats the best way to use in a tank with a ugf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 will the colouring of the water affect the lighting fo my plants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirkus Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 it will attenuate some of the light but i dont think it would harm the plants too much if at all, there are plants growing in blackwater regions of the amazon afterall, im not sure on the dosage though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke* Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 You can either add it in a stocking floating in the tank, or boil it up in a pot or similar and once cool strain it straight in to the tank. It doesn't colour the water that much to really affect the light levels. I'd recommend a couple of handfuls. A stocking peat bomb will last a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 the other option, which I have done is to have a storage tank for softening the water. I have a 200L plastic drum that I fill with the garden hose. I have peat in a stocking in it & a air pump which evaporates the chlorine. When I do a water change I replace the water removed with water out of my storage tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 i personally dont use peat in my discus tank because my water is extremely soft but would like to but im too lazy (have to add more shell grit to the filters and make sure its stable which can take a few weeks). they do like it but it isnt essential and i wouldnt reccomend it if your kh is low as that may increase your changes of a ph crash/large swings. the LFS will be able to give you a base test of your tap and tank water to see what you are dealing with, if its above 4 DGH then your good to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 hi sharn i dont know my kh as have never tested it but i do know that the water here is regarded as quite hard, spose i should test it. thanks for comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 You may find that if your water is hard it will neutralize the acidity of the peat. There are tanins and other minerals that some fish like released from the peat (or a tea bag). Some plants like peaty, soft acid water and others do not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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