[Aquaman1744]

I have some left over 100% organic peat moss and am about to over haul my 20 gallon planted will this work it has no additives. I am open to using a gravel cap I am planning on getting a bottom matting plant. I have seen vaugue answers saying to soak it for 3 days to remove color. Thanks for anyone that helps, “just keep swimming”

 

[minorhero]

I have some left over 100% organic peat moss and am about to over haul my 20 gallon planted will this work it has no additives. I am open to using a gravel cap I am planning on getting a bottom matting plant. I have seen vaugue answers saying to soak it for 3 days to remove color. Thanks for anyone that helps, “just keep swimming”

Peat moss has a high CEC number but low on nutrients. So if you put a very small amount (think a thin dusting) on the bottom before covering it in 2 inches of sand or fine gravel it will provide greater CEC for in the substrate immediately as compared to waiting months for mulm to accumulate. It will not however provide much in the way of nutrients by itself (you will still need to dose fertilizer), and it is frankly inferior in everyway to aquasoil other then price (peat being free since you already have it). Personally I just buy a cheap bag of aquasoil and put down a 1/2 inch layer on the bottom of my tanks before covering it with sand. But if that's out of your price range then the peat is better then nothing.

 

[Aquaman1744]

Peat moss has a high CEC number but low on nutrients. So if you put a very small amount (think a thin dusting) on the bottom before covering it in 2 inches of sand or fine gravel it will provide greater CEC for in the substrate immediately as compared to waiting months for mulm to accumulate. It will not however provide much in the way of nutrients by itself (you will still need to dose fertilizer), and it is frankly inferior in everyway to aquasoil other then price (peat being free since you already have it). Personally I just buy a cheap bag of aquasoil and put down a 1/2 inch layer on the bottom of my tanks before covering it with sand. But if that's out of your price range then the peat is better then nothing.
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Peat moss has a high CEC number but low on nutrients. So if you put a very small amount (think a thin dusting) on the bottom before covering it in 2 inches of sand or fine gravel it will provide greater CEC for in the substrate immediately as compared to waiting months for mulm to accumulate. It will not however provide much in the way of nutrients by itself (you will still need to dose fertilizer), and it is frankly inferior in everyway to aquasoil other then price (peat being free since you already have it). Personally I just buy a cheap bag of aquasoil and put down a 1/2 inch layer on the bottom of my tanks before covering it with sand. But if that's out of your price range then the peat is better then nothing.

Thanks for the quick response that’s what I was worried about(no nutrition for the plants). I have found some cheap aqua soil planning on using that in conjunction with lava rock.