Peat moss?

[Incredulous_Ed]

Can I use pure peat moss as a substrate? The reason I would like to use it is because it simply looks good as a substrate. Is this possible? will it decay? what kind is safe to use? Is potting soil safe? Thanks in advance.

[Lady Hobbs]

Peat can rot more than top soil, I believe, as it contains worm casings, pieces of ground up wood and leaves, etc.

I used the topsoil, planted it, packed the topsoil down and added gravel on top. It worked very well. What would have helped was to stack up gravel all the way around the edge of the tank first, filling the inside area with topsoil. The area's around the edge was where the topsoil snuck into the water. Doing it as I described and you will not see the soil, either.....only the gravel.

Another mistake I made was not to plant heavily enough so I had to keep disturbing the soil. Put everything in the tank you want right from the get-go and you'll not have a problem.

[Incredulous_Ed]

I don't think I was clear enough. Is it possible to only use peat or soil as a substrate? I wold use it more for decorative purposes than planting ones. Thanks hobbs.

[gm72]

Peat moss will rot. Potting soil probably would be okay, just make sure to avoid getting the kinds with chemicals/ferts/etc. added.

[Rue]

...no to the peatmoss...

...some add potting soil to the base, but never 100% potting soil either...it will rot as well...

...and I'm not a planted tank expert by a long-shot...but when I was researching planted tanks I did read a bit...there's also a lot to do with pH and buffering capacity and having the water too soft...that's why even soft-water fish (ie. discus) owners usually only use peat in the filter...

[hungryhound]

You cannot use peat moss as your only substrate. Peat moss will decay and cause your water to become very acidic. Some people use this to their advantage and put a light dusting of peat moss underneath their gravel, but as an entire substrate I do not think the outcome would be pretty.

If you really want to use a soil or soil-like substrate the main one I hear talked about is Soilmaster select. I can look up some info for you if you're interested, but I don't currently have anything bookmarked about it. I do know that it regularly retails for $17 for a 50lb bag and can generally be found at lawn care specialty shops. In fact I know Chrona has put a post up about this and if you search the forum you should be able to find it.

[Chrona]

A light dusting of peat moss will acidify the substrate and allow the plants to uptake nutrients better, as HH said, as well as providing nutrients themselves, but light is the key. You should still be able to see the tank bottom through the dusting of it. A whole substrate with peat moss would just be painful to see, lol.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Thanks guys. What do you think would be a good decorative seubsrate that would look nice with plants?

[cocoa_pleco]

fluorite with medium sized natural rocks on top is nice

[Chrona]

Ecocomplete or something black. I'm not fond of the reddish look of Flourite

[Incredulous_Ed]

Thanks guys!

[Lady Hobbs]

Ecocomplete or something black. I'm not fond of the reddish look of Flourite

Me neither! I hated it. I ordered the grey and it was still reddish

Ed......You can not use only peat or topsoil. It has to be anquored down with sand or gravel.

[hungryhound]

I have used ecocomplete in all four of my planted tanks and love it. While more expensive then normal substrate I get good plant growth and I like the black color.

[Genirous]

I don't know if you can buy this in US, but it worth a try showing it to you...
Take a look at the product here: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Hope to be of your satisfaction and help a bit...!

[willisrad]

I have flourite in my tank, but I also mixed in the cheap black acrylic (or whatever the cheap cheap substrates made out of) gravel a bit to give it some contrast.

It turned out pretty nicely, and the flourite naturally settles below the gravel just a bit.