KpT

Hey everyone

Im really unsure of why my peat filtration is not working basically.

I have two corner filters connected to an air pump. The plastic boxes have a layer of peat granules on the bottom and synthetic wool on top, with the bubbles comming up through the bottoma nd out the top.

The KH of the aquarium ihas GOT to be VERY low becasue i dont add any minerals to my rainwater when i add it and i put peat in the water when i do water changes and the pH of it changes from 7 to 6 EASILY.

To be fair this is becasue i crush the peat and mix it in a long with liquid blackwater extract but you would of thought the filters would do something to change the PH??

ANY HELP GREATLY APPRECIATED

Thanks

Sam

PS: I havnt ignored peoples advice on not adjusting PH i jsut dont think it would be a biotope of south american amazon basin without the PH being very low.

Butterfly

What are you using to test your ph?
Carol

KpT

Its actually i really accurate PH stick from my dads work so thats one of the reasons im so confused hehe

Cheers

Sam

Butterfly

I was just wondering if you had access to aquarium Pharmaceuticals master freshwater test kit. For some reason the liquid tests seem to be more accurate for aquarium testing.
How long have the peat filled filters been in the tank? for your fishes comfort it should be a slow process changing the ph. So maybe it's slowly changing. Fast changes up/down can be stressful and cause your fish to be sick.
Carol

KpT

Theyve been in the tank nearly a week

If its slow its VERY slow lol

Cheers

Sam

Butterfly

I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong but i think it takes longer than a week, I guess it would also depend on how much you have in there also. If you are doing large or frequent water changes that can also keep it from changing as fast.(No don't stop doing water changes )
Carol

Dino

I full point drop in pH, 7 to 6 is very stressful to fish.
As Carol stated, this should be done slowly.
I would run the peat filter and add your usual tap water.
Most species that are from the Amazon found in the stores are from Florida or Israel and raised in conditions far from what is found in the Amazon.

What species of fish are you working with?

Coryd55

I believe he has Microgeophagus ramirezi and plans on adding either Apisto. cacutoides, Apisto. nijsseni or Apisto. macmasteri.

KpT

Yer thats right.

I cant add my tap water! All those parameters are well off what i need

ITS A BIOTOPE

Sam

KpT

I think ill just crush peat in the aquarium itself and monitor what happens

Cheers

Sam

KpT

I think ill just crush peat in the aquarium itself and monitor what happens

Cheers

Sam