Could I Use Peat As Part Of The Substrate

[martin_jones]

I am just setting up a 75G (US) and plan to put eco complete as the substrate. However, I can't afford to get the 6-8 20lb bags that I'd require for the 2" depth of the substrate - I can only manage 4 bags of it. Base size is 4 foot x 18 inches

Could I put a base layer of peat, then the eco complete on top of this? I need to lower the pH of my water as it's about 8 out of the tap and I want rams and cardinal tetra which need softer water.

TIA

Martin

 

[Shrimper]

4 Bags of eco complete might be enough. I used 2 bags of eco-complete and 1 bag of sand in my 180l tank and created a separate sand area. To be honest I don't recommend this as i'm always moving bits of eco complete off of the sand as it tries to mix itself!

If I was going to mix it with anything again I would probably use plain black gravel as a base layer so you can't tell when it mixes.

The problem I can see with peat in the substrate compared to peat in a bag in the filter is you can remove the filter peat if the water gets too acidic but you can't with the substrate.

 

[aaronnorth]

I would use black gravel also, if you are going to be injecing CO2, then it will lower your ph anyway.

 

[SuperColey1]

peat is often suggested for a bottom layer (peat - nutrient rich - sand/gravel)

I tend to use Leonardite instead but it basically performs a similar function. Earthworks make some called 'Soil Builder Granules' and it is quite cheap.

Andy