adding peat to my tank

[Paul_MTS]

I need some help lowering my PH for my 950 litre tank (including sump volume).

I looked into using peat before but got scared off but quite some complecated levels etc.

I have a PH of about 8 an would like to lower it to neutral (7).

How much do I need, how often should it be replaced???

 

[mwm]

This is kinda stupid since you probaly know this but sometimes playing with your PH is more harn then good

 

[Paul_MTS]

Yeah, it culd end in tears but in long term having a PH of 8 isn't good for the fish I'm keeping, especially a £100 arowana I'm picking up tomorrow.

 

[mwm]

holy jesus 100 British cash! thats like 200+$ Can good luck with arrow they are so cool

 

[Paul_MTS]

any one??

 

[Griz]

This may help you out a bit. I'm using about 1-2 cups of granular peat in a 125 litre tank and my pH hasn't budged. That's with a KH of 6. Fluval recommends changing it every month which seems about right since the tannin began to fade a bit after about a month. Too early in the AM for me to do the maths, but I think you are looking a quite a large amount of peat, especially if your KH is higher than mine. And the granular stuff isn't cheap.

 

[Paul_MTS]

I'll have to order in a KH and GH testing kit at the moment i only have the usual.

Luckily I work in a lFS so i get everything trade plux VAT so shouldn't be too bad....fingers crossed.

 

[Griz]

You may (hopefully) have better luck than me, especially if yout KH is lower than mine. Start out with less peat and monitor your pH, then gradually add more. You don't want to too drastic a change but since you read these forums you probably know that. Nice that you can get it cheap. Cheers

 

[Paul_MTS]

Yeh I hear high PH isn't too healthy long term for my fishes.

Yeah I won't be making any sudeen changes in that tank, I just put £100 of green arowana in there (check out pictures section!)

I'll get the test first before I play with the peat.

So if I have a lower KH i will require less to move the PH down? and at what KH level would the PH begin to drop? 0?

 

[CFC]

Read through this page, it is the best guide ive read of how to use peat and get the right results.

http/hjem.get2net.dk/Best_of_the_Web/peat%20page.html

 

[Paul_MTS]

I think thats what i read before which got my head doing several laps on a round about!!

I'll have another go at reading it though. Try and get me head round it.

Just bougth myself a digital PH tester, rather than messing around with test tubes!!

 

[aqtaquaman]

Peat can be messy and loses effectiveness quickly, creating fluctuating ph values. Try adding neutral regulator. A white powder buffer designed to keep the ph at 7.

 

[Paul_MTS]

Using a chemical in my tank would cost loads even if i can get it trade, 950 litres would need alot of powder!!

Plus i hear the chemicals are more unstable only keeping levels for a few hours.