Does anyone use Peat Moss anymore?

John N. · 03-18-2008, 04:06 AM

In the past, most people often recommended using a sprinkle of peat moss as a base layer of a substrate. I don't think I hear this recommendation as much anymore, most like due to do more nutrient rich substrates available. Does anyone use Peat Moss anymore? Do you recommend using peat moss and what's the purpose?

-John N.

Brian · 03-18-2008, 01:33 PM

im thinking to use peat moss as a base layer of Eco substrate for low the ph. what is the pro and the cons of using it?

Pat7676 · 03-18-2008, 07:13 PM

What is peat moss?

JDowns · 03-19-2008, 05:48 AM

Peat releases humic acids that make Fe++ available in the water and to the roots (or something to that affect).

I use a base of peat with a layer of onyx sand on top of that. Then a layer of SMS to achieve just under an 1"+ of a base (basic cheap filler). Then on top of that I use a 50/50 mix of SMS and EC. I mix in the EC to make the SMS a little more compact and easier to hold plants until they root.

Brian · 03-19-2008, 01:39 PM

I was reading and the point is that the peat moss lows ph. only a thin layer is good to use, too munch peat causes very low ph and disolves a lot of iron in the wather column if you use iron rich substrate.

Jdinh04 · 03-19-2008, 04:13 PM

I haven't really used peat moss all that much but I am thinking about using it more in my next setup.

Nabobmob · 04-08-2008, 03:44 PM

I just recently did a 6 gallon tank with Fluorite with a small amount of Peat soil mixed, topped with Black sand and I am really impressed, the tank is for fry but I wanted to give this a try.

The tank has only been running a 3 weeks and I had to trim my sunset twice because it over took the surface and then some, keep in mind the tank is only 10 inches tall but still, the sunset was 2-3 in tops when I set it up. Italian Vals and Glosso also seem to be thriving

No CO2 1.5 WPG

Garhan · 04-08-2008, 04:34 PM

I have used a small dusting of peat moss invirtually every tank I have setup and in pots that I use to growout crypts and swords in a grow tank. My display tanks usually either have peat moss or peatballs. I use approxamately 2cups per 20 gallons of tank. With redart clay at 1 cup per 20 gallons. Then of course an aquarium sand or Schultz Profile.

John N. · 04-09-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garhan

I have used a small dusting of peat moss invirtually every tank I have setup and in pots that I use to growout crypts and swords in a grow tank. My display tanks usually either have peat moss or peatballs. I use approxamately 2cups per 20 gallons of tank. With redart clay at 1 cup per 20 gallons. Then of course an aquarium sand or Schultz Profile.

When you put the peat in pots for your crypts and swords, how do you keep the peat from floating up and out?

PS: Garhan, I would love to see some of your display tanks posted sometime. Welcome to ASW.

-John N.

JDowns · 04-10-2008, 01:04 AM

You can buy at your local HD or Lowes peat pots. From very small to large that are 100% pressure compacted peat. They hold thier shape as a pot and don't fall apart quickly under water. You can cut them up into bits also and place them around plants that prefer an acidic substrate, ie Tonina's. The peat pots are meant as a liner for clay/plastic pots.

Just a tip if you ever wanted to add peat selectively to parts of our tank after its already established without a large mess.

**goalcreas** · 04-10-2008, 01:10 AM

Good tip Jeff, I have a shipment of tonina's coming in next week, I will try a few just like they were fert tabs.

JDowns · 04-10-2008, 01:32 AM

So you know what your looking for.

http://www.ferry-morse.com/seed_starting.asp?folder=productssplash&type=peat% 20pots

Reminder that peat pellets expand when exposes to water and contain a potting mix that has trace ammonia.

Remember these are compressed peat. So use dilligence when adding to an established tank.

Thats an example and you can find similar products at Ace, Home Depot (Go 20), Lowes, and probably any gardening center.

jfrank85 · 04-10-2008, 11:00 AM

i use it alot with my soil base mixtures. I usually only use a little maybe about 1:5 ratio, 1 part peat, 5 parts soil. It has seemed to work very well as long as it isnt in abundance. Also do not use it in conjunction with a high iron substrate as you will have a huge amount of iron in your water column (as experienced).

Garhan · 04-10-2008, 02:53 PM

When I mix the substrate base it has the forementioned ingredients. I top it with a layer of gravel to keep it all together. Approxamately 1 inch for the pots and 2 to 3 inches for the aquariums. I also boil the peat moss for 20 minutes before I use it in my tanks along with earthworm castings. i purchased the peat moss at the local Canadian Tire store. In the gardening section of most large stores here in Canada (Zellers, Home Depot, Rona, etc...usually a spring stock item) they sell peat moss to put into your gardens or flower beads. You can buy it literally in bales. It measures from a 1 foot square bale to 20"x 20" x 48" bales for the garden.

Garhan · 04-10-2008, 02:55 PM

will try this instead

Garhan · 04-10-2008, 03:15 PM

Here are a few more pics. I can grow virtually any plant that has come to me using this substrate mix with Dry fert dosing with or without C02. I just dont have an eye for building a nice aquascape, yet.

Garhan

jfrank85 · 04-10-2008, 03:39 PM

Well said Garhan! I honestly beleive the best plant growth ive had has came from my home made soil base mix. I have little problems with algae, and what i do have is easily treated with excel and my otos. The truth is in the plant growth.

That is close to two months of growth. The barclaya in the back has just flourished! This is done with 3wpg and no co2 injection.

Garhan · 04-10-2008, 05:54 PM

here is a pic of a couple of tanks that has been setup for 2 years on the 40 gallon and 3 years on the 120 gallon. Like I said I dont have a good eye for aquascaping a beautiful tank.

Pat7676 · 04-10-2008, 06:40 PM

Garhan that is a nice looking tank you have there. I love your middle grouping of plants.

Garhan · 04-10-2008, 09:58 PM

jfrank85 that is wonderful growth on your plants. Especially the Barclaya longifolia. And thanks Pat7676.
All my tanks usually focus on 2-3 watts per gallon. For me thats enough light for what I grow and it doesnt get out of hand usually with a hyper excelerated growth rates.. also I have found for me many *very high light* requirement plants will do just fine (**as posted on some plant reference catalogues) with lower light levels in watts per gallon. It just depends on what you are doing. My grow tanks are a bit more boosted because of the C02, but still dont have more than 3 watts per gallon max.

03-18-2008, 04:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
John N. Administrator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,242	Does anyone use Peat Moss anymore? In the past, most people often recommended using a sprinkle of peat moss as a base layer of a substrate. I don't think I hear this recommendation as much anymore, most like due to do more nutrient rich substrates available. Does anyone use Peat Moss anymore? Do you recommend using peat moss and what's the purpose? -John N. __________________ Welcome to AquaScaping World!

03-19-2008, 04:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jdinh04 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 297	I haven't really used peat moss all that much but I am thinking about using it more in my next setup. __________________

04-10-2008, 01:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
goalcreas Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 265	Good tip Jeff, I have a shipment of tonina's coming in next week, I will try a few just like they were fert tabs. __________________ www.aape.naturalaquariums.com No mess, no fuss - the pfertz™ aquatic fertilizer system

04-10-2008, 02:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
Garhan Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 47	When I mix the substrate base it has the forementioned ingredients. I top it with a layer of gravel to keep it all together. Approxamately 1 inch for the pots and 2 to 3 inches for the aquariums. I also boil the peat moss for 20 minutes before I use it in my tanks along with earthworm castings. i purchased the peat moss at the local Canadian Tire store. In the gardening section of most large stores here in Canada (Zellers, Home Depot, Rona, etc...usually a spring stock item) they sell peat moss to put into your gardens or flower beads. You can buy it literally in bales. It measures from a 1 foot square bale to 20"x 20" x 48" bales for the garden. Last edited by Garhan; 04-10-2008 at 03:22 PM. Reason: photo wont work

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03-18-2008, 01:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Brian Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: comerio Posts: 202	im thinking to use peat moss as a base layer of Eco substrate for low the ph. what is the pro and the cons of using it?

03-18-2008, 07:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pat7676 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, Mississippi Posts: 753	What is peat moss?

03-19-2008, 05:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
JDowns Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 148	Peat releases humic acids that make Fe++ available in the water and to the roots (or something to that affect). I use a base of peat with a layer of onyx sand on top of that. Then a layer of SMS to achieve just under an 1"+ of a base (basic cheap filler). Then on top of that I use a 50/50 mix of SMS and EC. I mix in the EC to make the SMS a little more compact and easier to hold plants until they root.

03-19-2008, 01:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Brian Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: comerio Posts: 202	I was reading and the point is that the peat moss lows ph. only a thin layer is good to use, too munch peat causes very low ph and disolves a lot of iron in the wather column if you use iron rich substrate.

04-08-2008, 03:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nabobmob Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 7	I just recently did a 6 gallon tank with Fluorite with a small amount of Peat soil mixed, topped with Black sand and I am really impressed, the tank is for fry but I wanted to give this a try. The tank has only been running a 3 weeks and I had to trim my sunset twice because it over took the surface and then some, keep in mind the tank is only 10 inches tall but still, the sunset was 2-3 in tops when I set it up. Italian Vals and Glosso also seem to be thriving No CO2 1.5 WPG

04-08-2008, 04:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
Garhan Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 47	I have used a small dusting of peat moss invirtually every tank I have setup and in pots that I use to growout crypts and swords in a grow tank. My display tanks usually either have peat moss or peatballs. I use approxamately 2cups per 20 gallons of tank. With redart clay at 1 cup per 20 gallons. Then of course an aquarium sand or Schultz Profile.

04-10-2008, 01:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
JDowns Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 148	You can buy at your local HD or Lowes peat pots. From very small to large that are 100% pressure compacted peat. They hold thier shape as a pot and don't fall apart quickly under water. You can cut them up into bits also and place them around plants that prefer an acidic substrate, ie Tonina's. The peat pots are meant as a liner for clay/plastic pots. Just a tip if you ever wanted to add peat selectively to parts of our tank after its already established without a large mess.

04-10-2008, 01:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
JDowns Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 148	So you know what your looking for. http://www.ferry-morse.com/seed_starting.asp?folder=productssplash&type=peat% 20pots Reminder that peat pellets expand when exposes to water and contain a potting mix that has trace ammonia. Remember these are compressed peat. So use dilligence when adding to an established tank. Thats an example and you can find similar products at Ace, Home Depot (Go 20), Lowes, and probably any gardening center.

04-10-2008, 11:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
jfrank85 Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Edwardsburg, MI Posts: 11	i use it alot with my soil base mixtures. I usually only use a little maybe about 1:5 ratio, 1 part peat, 5 parts soil. It has seemed to work very well as long as it isnt in abundance. Also do not use it in conjunction with a high iron substrate as you will have a huge amount of iron in your water column (as experienced).

04-10-2008, 02:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
Garhan Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 47	will try this instead

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04-10-2008, 03:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
Garhan Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 47	Here are a few more pics. I can grow virtually any plant that has come to me using this substrate mix with Dry fert dosing with or without C02. I just dont have an eye for building a nice aquascape, yet. Garhan

04-10-2008, 03:39 PM	#17 (permalink)
jfrank85 Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Edwardsburg, MI Posts: 11	Well said Garhan! I honestly beleive the best plant growth ive had has came from my home made soil base mix. I have little problems with algae, and what i do have is easily treated with excel and my otos. The truth is in the plant growth. That is close to two months of growth. The barclaya in the back has just flourished! This is done with 3wpg and no co2 injection.

04-10-2008, 05:54 PM	#18 (permalink)
Garhan Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 47	here is a pic of a couple of tanks that has been setup for 2 years on the 40 gallon and 3 years on the 120 gallon. Like I said I dont have a good eye for aquascaping a beautiful tank.

04-10-2008, 06:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
Pat7676 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, Mississippi Posts: 753	Garhan that is a nice looking tank you have there. I love your middle grouping of plants.

04-10-2008, 09:58 PM	#20 (permalink)
Garhan Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 47	jfrank85 that is wonderful growth on your plants. Especially the Barclaya longifolia. And thanks Pat7676. All my tanks usually focus on 2-3 watts per gallon. For me thats enough light for what I grow and it doesnt get out of hand usually with a hyper excelerated growth rates.. also I have found for me many very high light requirement plants will do just fine (**as posted on some plant reference catalogues) with lower light levels in watts per gallon. It just depends on what you are doing. My grow tanks are a bit more boosted because of the C02, but still dont have more than 3 watts per gallon max.