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sen
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 Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:48 am Post subject: Peat for substrate |
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Hi Friends,
What is the advantage and disadvantage of using peat in the substrate medium.. ?
What is the Ideal and recommended "substrate layers" and "thickness" for a planted aquarium ?
Can I have polished granite chips (4 to 7 mm size) as the top most layer for aesthetics, if so what can be the maximum thickness.
Thanks,
G.Senthil Kumar |
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Madan
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sen
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| Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:25 am Post subject: |
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Hi Madan,
This statement in the article made me to rethink abt the usage of peat  .
"Some people are so fascinated by peat that they want to add it to the substrate"
Does this mean, it is unnecessary to add Peat?
Also can I go for a layer 5 to 7mm polished granite chips as a top layer ?
Thanks,
G.Senthil Kumar |
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vinven
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| Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 1:38 pm Post subject: peat |
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Silly question i know,but can somebody tell me what exactly peat is :roll:and whats its value in a planted tank.I've heard about it alright but i dont know what exactly it is.Where would you find peat ?
thanks |
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Madan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Peat increases the CEC of the substrate. Too much is not good.
I included the sentence so that people do not over do it. (There was one person who added 1/2 peat and 1/2 gravel.) Excess peat will turn the substrate acidic as the peat decomposes burning away the roots.
Peat will provide an additional source of carbon for the plants. If you use CO2 it is not necessary at all but helps in very small quantities.
As for polished granite chips the choice is yours. I don't think anyone has used it to comment.
Locally available Cocopeat will not work. This is artificially produced and what I have seen it does not even leach out any tannins after 3 months under water. This peat is made by some kind of accelerated process. I don't like it one bit.
You need good quality Canadian Sphagnum peat. Unforunately this is very rarely available. |
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Madan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: peat |
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| vinven wrote:
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Silly question i know,but can somebody tell me what exactly peat is :roll:and whats its value in a planted tank.I've heard about it alright but i dont know what exactly it is.Where would you find peat ?
thanks
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Peat is decomposed organic matter found as the substrate in very old dense forests or areas that were once forests. It is formed over eons and is a useful additive in agriculture where the soil is extremely alkaline. |
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sen
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| Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Madhan |
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