Re: Apistogramma borelli

[IDMiamiBob <IDMiamiBob@aol.com>]

In a message dated 5/19/98 9:45:33 AM EST, gomberg@wcf.com writes:

<< No tablets!   Use peat.

Just for the record, I just gave up on peat this week.  After two months of
running a box filter with sphagnum moss in my two 10 gallon tanks, all I had
was brown water with a pH of 7.8.  Hardness tested at 40 ppm, but I've come to
the conclusion that my Wardley's hardness test kit only checks non-carbonate
hardness.  My water has a very high buffering capacity, which I think is from
dissolved carbonate.  Strange, dissolved CO2 will lower pH by forming carbonic
acid (H2CO3), yet carbonate (CO3) in other ionic mixes
makes it very hard to lower pH.  I agree that peat usually works, and I have
used it in the past with great success.  

Anyone out there know a good way for someone without the room or budget to
invest in RO or DI to lower carbonates?

Bob Dixon