Re: Peat Moss vs. Oak Leaves

[Scheele Juergen <juesche@earthlink.net>]

...and here is something to read about peat !

http://www.mindspring.com/~nestor10/trials/peat_trials.htm

and BTW...

I use a cone coffee filter, # 4,
fill it up with peat,
pore boiling water over it,
and voila !

4 cups of this extract , gives my 40 G water change
every week a nice tint !
Fish dig it.....

Juergen

Chris Jewell wrote:

> Yup, both leaves and peat by their acidic water will reduce the kH, lowering
> the buffering capacity of the water, which is its resistance to acidic
> change. A very low kH will give a low resistance to change, and in a
> "loaded tank", the acidifying action of fish, plants, filter bacteria and
> decmposing waste can cause sudden drops in pH, aka the "crash". Well, thats
> how I see it anyhow :)
>
> The problem is that peat can also cause a crash (  as will oak leaves) if
> left in the tank too long, as they will react with the dissolved minerals,
> reducing the kH, and then start reducing the pH ( well, thats a bit
> simplified but hey!), so it may be better to filter the water through peat
> to get it to the required  levels BEFORE putting it in the tank. I can
> filter my local water through peat and get 0 Kh and a pH well off the bottom
> of test kits. My local water is soft to start with, if your taps produce
> liquid rock then the effects may not be so pronounced.
>
> Obviously, there is less risk of pH crash from bio load in a tank with a
> pair of apistos in than a well stocked tank of community fish, and the
> apisto's may welcomr the super soft acidic water, but the fluctuations and
> sudden change can still be harmfull.
>
> Peat can be excellent, aslong as its used with common sense.
>
> As the saying goes, thats my 2 cents worth!
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: William Vannerson <William_Vannerson@ama-assn.org>
> To: <apisto@listbox.com>
> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 4:39 PM
> Subject: Re: Peat Moss vs. Oak Leaves
>
> >>>My plan is to let a sack of one or the other either float in my power
> filter, or just let the sack float in a bucket of water to be used in a
> water change later.<<<
>
> I can't speak from experience, but I would think that the oak leaves would
> have a slower effect than peat on changing water conditions.  Peat has more
> surface area and has physical properties that are more reactive.  Several
> folks on the Killie Talk email list have gone into details on this subject,
> so you may want to scan their archives as well (www.aka.org and follow
> links).
>
> As a practical matter, try putting a sample of both in separate containers
> and track the changes in water over time.  This will give you a sense of how
> your leaves (Southern Pin Oaks) reacts to your local water.  You could even
> try putting some in a power filter and testing that as well.  But be
> careful, a tank with a full bioload will act differently than an empty jar
> or bucket.  Also, as you lower the pH, you also reduce buffering capacity so
> it's easier to crash a tank.  (Hey!  Chemistry types, did I get that right?)
>
> Lastly, I have some more info on the properties of oak leaves that I gleaned
> from the book I'm reading.  I'll try to transcribe that info and pass that
> on by next week.  Nothing dramatic, just more explanation on the chemical
> make up of oak leaves.
>
> Bill Vannerson
> McHenry, IL
> http://vannerson.home.att.net/
>
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