peat moss or oak leaves

[hpt84]

So I brought a bag of miracle glo peat moss to lower my ph and soften it. Later I notice a lot of algae, and slime on the surface of my water. Apparently the peat moss has fertilizer in it. I check most of the garden/hardware store, and that is the only brand they carry. I read somewhere that you can use oak leaves. Are these the brown leaves that fall from oak tree? If it is, what do I need to do to prepare it for the aquarium.

[shockshockshad]

You can NOT use garden peat. Yes it does have ferts. You NEED to use aquarium peat.

[hpt84]

You can NOT use garden peat. Yes it does have ferts. You NEED to use aquarium peat.
I already removed the peat moss and did a major water change. I'm trying to find pure peat moss, but can't find any. How anyone try using oak leaves?

[Incredulous_Ed]

Sometimes wal mart has pure peat moss. I haven't had much luck looking for it at hardware stores.

You can use oak leaves. Make sure they are completely dry first. Let them sit in water for 48 hrs, then boil them for a bit, then add some of the boiled water (which should be dark brown with tannins) to the tank. Add it very slowly, Just a bit each day, because it can cause majot pH swings.

Or you can just add the leaves to the tank, after they have been washed.

[kkevvy]

Go to a hardware store.

Just get the stuff that says "100% Spaghnum Peat moss"

[smaug]

I have personally never used peat.You can assure yourself of using theproper peat by buying the granular variety sold thru many aquarium supply sites.I have used oak leaves and although I liked the effect I did not appreciate the mess.Do not expect the leaves to soften your water,as in lowering your kh or gh,it will not do that,peat pellets will if you add them to your filter media.Leaves will alter your ph and it is difficult to keep up with as you will always have to be adding new leaves to replace the old broken down ones.