how soft should peat be able to make my water?

[pcam86]

Hi i'm using peat in my filter aswell as soaking peat in a bucket of water for my water changes. I was just wondering how soft the peat is able to lower to GH. Anyone have an idea?

 

[BigC]

There are too many variables here as to
How much peat are you using?
How much tannins are left in the peat after soaking?
Peat source?
etc.etc.etc.
Really it's anybody's guess.
Peat will not lower the pH straight away, it takes time.

 

[pcam86]

well i'm using both the peat from a garden centre and also the Fuval filter peat.

I didn't say anything about PH!!!!

 

[BigC]

) Sorry pcam86, misread. I think it would be true to say the same though as there are too many variables.

 

[The-Wolf]

the effect of peat on gH will be negligable.
peat is primarily used to lower the pH and to
some extent the kH (which buffers pH)

perhaps this topic will give you more insight to your gH
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=59467

 

[pcam86]

ok well basically what i was asking is: is it possible for peat to make the water REALLY soft if used constantly OR is there a cut off point???

 

[The-Wolf]

yes there is a cut off point peat will only lower pH, gH and kH to a certain level. it also looses its effectivness over time and needs to be replaced frequently.
the best and safest way of lowering gH is by the use of RO water.

Why do you want to mess around with the water chemistry anyway, it is far better to have a stable enviroment than one that is always changing.

 

[pcam86]

because i wanna get a better water chemistry for my angels and eventually discus and i wanted to see how good i could get it without using R/O water first.