Peat moss

[perplex]

just wondering if anyone has used the peat moss from bunnings?

 

is it safe? it looks like its in a new bag from last time i looked at it, looking to lower the ph so

 

http://www.bunnings.com.au/brunnings-peat-moss-5l-_p3010202

[kizshrimp]

Hey Perps, I've used that moss for plants and it's pretty rubbish. I use peat granules for ponds in my aquaria; the bag I've got is from JBL but most of the good german brands have a peat granulate - certainly Eheim and Sera both have one available here in a kg box. The granules are nice because they're not messy like raw peat. 

If you want to use raw peat then unfortunately it has to be a quality one which you buy in 200L bales. If you have no luck finding granules pm me and I'll send you a bag of raw if you want. Sorry, not enough granules to spare. 

[Grubs]

NO.   Brunnings Peat Moss @Bunnings is a Peat Moss substitute made from composted pine bark (stated in the fine print only).

I just went thought this last week. I did confirm by phoning two manufacturers that "Attunga" and "Searles" brand peat moss is New Zealand sphagnum peat... but I had to go to an independent garden center to find it. 

[perplex]

Hey Perps, I've used that moss for plants and it's pretty rubbish. I use peat granules for ponds in my aquaria; the bag I've got is from JBL but most of the good german brands have a peat granulate - certainly Eheim and Sera both have one available here in a kg box. The granules are nice because they're not messy like raw peat. 

If you want to use raw peat then unfortunately it has to be a quality one which you buy in 200L bales. If you have no luck finding granules pm me and I'll send you a bag of raw if you want. Sorry, not enough granules to spare. 

whats the difference with raw peat and peat moss? ill im after is something to lower the ph and cheap, sick of using ph down, and currently out of my original peat moss

NO.   Brunnings Peat Moss @Bunnings is a Peat Moss substitute made from composted pine bark (stated in the fine print only).

I just went thought this last week. I did confirm by phoning two manufacturers that "Attunga" and "Searles" brand peat moss is New Zealand sphagnum peat... but I had to go to an independent garden center to find it. 

ok thanks mate, did you find any other peat moss?

[revolutionhope]

my 2cents - using peat to lower pH (at least ime in aquariums) is hard to manage and mild in effect at best. i asked this same question a while ago here on skf and was advised to get benibachi fulvic grains. i havent got some yet i think it may be expensive? anyway just thought id chime in. :-) love n peace will

[perplex]

my 2cents - using peat to lower pH (at least ime in aquariums) is hard to manage and mild in effect at best. i asked this same question a while ago here on skf and was advised to get benibachi fulvic grains. i havent got some yet i think it may be expensive? anyway just thought id chime in. :-) love n peace will

yea, ive used it, and got some, it only lasts 6 months and expensive for the amount you get.

 

what do you mean by its hard to manage and mild in effect at best?

[kizshrimp]

Yeah, what Grubs said. I assume the Attunga and Searles peat are in smaller volumes than the bales I buy which would be great for smaller volume users. I seem to get Canadian or Lithuanian Sphagnum peat rather than NZ. 

Will is also right about peat. It's slow to have much effect unless you have a lot in a small volume of water. If your pH is ok anyway but you'd just like to see it slightly lower, peat is great. If you want some tannin in the water, same. You could get a quicker effect with blackwater extracts with peat a slow release source. You could use IAL, Oak, Alder etc. Fulvic acid granules are similar in that they act by releasing fulvates and humates, but being a refined product will have a stronger effect than peat. 

If you need to quickly drop the pH of your water peat will probably be the wrong way to go. CO2 would be safe and effective if dosed correctly. Sulphuric acid works without adding phosphorus and is in the liquid "pH down" products. If you need to use something like that you probably need to step back and evaluate your water supply. 

 

[Grubs]

I went to Banksia nursery on Burwood Hwy near knox. The Searles is in a 70l compressed down to 35l bale for $25.  The Attunga was in a 7litre bag for ~$10.  I only chose these because it was what I found quickly and I was only planting up crypts.

[perplex]

hmm peat moss seems to hard to get...

[perplex]

so is there anything else i can use since no one knows where i can get peat moss?

[Jenbenwren]

I know of a place that will post 10 litres of good quality Canadian TE-EM sphagnum peat moss but it's a little pricey at $30 including postage or $32 with Express post. if thats any help

 

[perplex]

thanks but i ended up getting some peat pellets from The Tech Den, and after that i may try bunnings one, but if thats no good, ill send you a message

thanks

[coryjames]

Being in Canada it's very cheap, I buy large 2 foot cube bales for 7$ 

I use it in a small hob filter to release tannins and other good stuff in my    remineralized ro water , I find it's not as stressful when preforming water changes.