Is peat needed?

[dothedew]

Ok, I'm setting up an Angel tank in a 45H (36Lx24Hx12W). My PH is about 7.4.

The things in the tank will be:
2 angels
2 bolivian rams
6 or 7 cories
2 rubber lip plecs
10 black skirt tetras

The filter is AC300.
So, should I use peat in the filter to lower it? I understand that Angels like low PH, and I also understand that altering the PH isn't always the best.

Opinions please.

 

[freddyk]

Your ph is fine, it's not worth the bother. You'd need quite a bit of it to make any real difference, and it will tint your water yellow-brown.

 

[dothedew]

I might put some wood in there anyways, so it might lower it a bit, although I'll probably still get the tannins.

 

[mrV]

You'd need quite a bit of it to make any real difference

Meaning? pH is logarithimcal unit and 1 unit means ten times change.

, and it will tint your water yellow-brown.

But isn't it same in amazon river where angels live?

 

[Colin_BC]

I'd suggest not bothering with your pH. It's best to leave your pH as is unless you plan on breeding. Even then, necesity depends on the fish. My tap pH is about the same as yours and I keep angels in it. Keep in mind that as mrv said, pH is logarithimcal unit and 1 unit means ten times change. From what I understand, a 1 unit change would be from 7.0 to 7.1; not 7 to 8. This being said, a sudden change in pH is going to be more harmful to a fish than keeping it at a steady pH differenmt from it's natural habitat. If you did add peat to make you water more acidic (let's say your targeting 6.5 pH), once you got the pH down, you would then have to use reverse osmosis water and/or pH adjusted water when doing water changes to prevent major shock.

When you consider how much more of a hassle that would make this labour of love, it just makes more sense to leave the water as it is.

EDIT; Oh yeah, as for the brown and the tannins, I actually prefer that slight brownish hue to the water. It's a little excessive with brand new driftwood, but it cleared with me to an acceptable within a few weeks from frequent water changes and new carbon every week. Now I don't bother with any carbon. the water has a very nice natural look to it now. I have wood in every tank other than my bare H-tank.

Colin

 

[Griz]

I also like the looks of tannin stained water. I first began using peat in the hopes of lowering the pH but it doesn't seem to be helping much. I will continue using it though since I like the look and it is a more natural environment for my fish.

 

[mrV]

If carbonate hardness is high, then peat won't work as well as in soft water. E.g. if i use too much peat, the pH will drop down. I keep it only about 1-2 handfuls in external filter. My water is very soft (KH ~ 2 °dH, GH ~ 3 °dH)