[Simpte 27]

Has anyone had luck with adding peat to penguin bio-wheel filters? I havent found any empty cartridges to add peat to designed for them. I need to soften my water as R.O. isn't as readily available as I need for all my tanks. My tap is liquid rock (8.6-9.0) and I really would like to soften it in my planted tanks. Any advice would be appreaciated.

 

[Sir_BlackhOle]

just get one of those filter media bags from your LFS and use it.

 

[Bert H]

You call that liquid rock, heck mine comes out as a kh of 9.5 and gh of 13! My plants and fish are happy.

 

[Simpte 27]

Gh of 13? Thats it! try 35! KH of 18! lol R.O. water is hard to get here. Only one place carries it .40 cents a gallon but you can only get on thursday-Sunday. Thats a lot of hauling and nowhere to put it in bulk. (Plus it gets expensive when you need 100 gallons or so.)

 

[anonapersona]

Check this link -- Peat Page

http://hjem.get2net.dk/Best_of_the_Web/peat page.html

you might find a solution for this at The Peat Page

Otherwise, there is a clam-shell type replacement for the filter cartridge that could apparently be filled with peat, but you'd lose your mechanical filtration by pulling the cartridge. You might be able to add a sponge to the intake for mech filtration.

But do read this link, there are some things about pH stability you need to know.

 

[Simpte 27]

Great link! Not too worried about the stability. I can manage that with the right mixture. Thanks for the link.

 

[bharada]

I think you're confusing hardness with pH. Adding peat will only raise the acidity of the water (lowering the pH). It does nothing to remove the Ca or Mg that makes up the hardness in your water. For that you'll need to dilute your hardwater with DI/RO/distilled water.

I add CO2 to my tank and can easily get my pH down to 6.5...but through all this my water still has 22dGH and 12dKH. So while my water is acidic it is by no means soft.