Peat in my filter: Good idea?

[Bruce's Reformed Nephew]

I am expecting to start my fishless cycle in four days, and I have been reading Baensch's "Aquarium Atlas", and I found the following info out about the fish I am planning to keep one the tank is cycled:

Zebra Danios: I could fill the tank with gravy and they would be okay (just kidding but they are very hardy and tolerant...)

Cardinal Tetras: Prefer soft, acidic water.

Dwarf Gouramis: Peat filtration is recommended.


Based on the fact that I have hard water, and peat is suppossed to soften and make the water more acidic, can I just put some aquarium grade peat in the extra media container in my power filter?

Should I add it during the cycling or after?

Thanks for your time!
-BRN

 

[Cian McLiam]

Hi BRN

The Baensch Atlas is a great book, meant for serious hobbyists who intend on reproducing the best conditions for fish possible. The concept is fine for people like that, but for your average community tank with fish from all over the world that have been bred for hundreds of generations in tanks, its easier to strike a balance because the fish are accustomed to domestic water and aquarium life.

With that in mind, you will find that a lot of the additional care tips in the book are stated as 'recommended' that means for your average fishkeeper that providing stable, healthy conditions is adequate. I would not worry too much about creating natural conditions until you have decided to specialise in a particular species or habitat. The chances are that a beginner will make mistakes trying to get things perfect, and that really the fish would be much better off with imperfect but stable water.

Peat is a good additive for some fish, but I dont know of any fish for which it is necessary. It produces a tea coloured water which a lot of people just find dirty looking. It also lowers pH and hardness, so if you aren't keeping the aquarium in top shape with water changes, you may run into trouble.

Ken

 

[Bruce's Reformed Nephew]

Hi Ken,
Thanks very much for your help!
-BRN

 

[Sky042]

Now there are other sources that say cardinals don't need excessively soft water but that neons do need that. There does seem to be confusion on who needs what when it comes to fishkeeping.

 

[Bruce's Reformed Nephew]

Now there are other sources that say cardinals don't need excessively soft water but that neons do need that. There does seem to be confusion on who needs what when it comes to fishkeeping.

Thanks! You are not kidding. I have been doing web searches about Cardinals and Dwarf Gouramis, and I am seeing some conflicting stuff.

I am opposed to dumping chemicals into my tank (except dechlorinator) but I think that some peat would naturally make my water softer and less alkaline. I am in the beginning stages of my cycle, so now seems like a good time to try out different things in hopes of getting it right before I get the fish (Father's Day).

I have done a forum search going back a year and haven't seen much advice about the subject. Can I just put some peat fibers in my filter's media basket (Emperor 280)? How much should I use? How often should I change it?

Many questions, I know. Thanks for your time and help!
-BRN

 

[tstenback]

At this point, unless you want to do it just to try it out you will probably be doing it for nothing. As when your fishless cycle ends you will be doing a 90% water change. Nothing wrong with testing out the waters though to see if it has the desired effect on your parameters and to see if you like the tint it gives the water.