Water Hardness and Peat

The discussion about peat in the other thread prompted a thought...

I know that hardness is basically a measure of calcium and/or magnesium concentration in water. This causes water to be more alkaline (i.e., have a higher pH). The addition of peat acidifies the water (lowers the pH) by introducing tannic acids and other compounds. Unless I am thinking incorrectly, this will not lower the hardness of the water, but is merely buffering the alkalinity. However, the wikipedia link defining sphagnum moss in that other thread said that sphagnum (I have to assume it meant living) uptakes calcium and magnesium and releases hydrogen ions. That would reduce the pH and soften the water. I wonder what the rate of this uptake is and how much living spagnum one would need to see an effect per X gallon of water?

Water filtered across peat will come down in pH and hardness within days.....a lot. A friend has conditioned water with a moderate hardness and pH of around 8 to a pH of 4.5 and zero hardness within 3-5 days of filtering....this was on a 30 tank with one small filter.

Here in Portland, Oregon our water is very soft. Hardness of Bull Run water typically ranges from 1/3 to ½ a grain of hardness per gallon. Portland's groundwater hardness is approximately 86 parts per million (about 5 grains per gallon), which is considered moderately hard. The proportion of ground water to Bull Run water changes seasonally without notice. The pH runs between 7.2 to 8.2

My local fish forum is currently having a snit over high pH - no buffer. It all sounds simple enough in theory, but reality is something else all together.

I'm hoping if I revive this thread more folks will have more to say about how to lower pH, preferably "naturally" versus "chemically" as we have our tree hugger image to maintain.

There seems to be a debate as to whether or not peat in the filter will lower pH.

This thread talks about living sphagnum. Do you mean in the filter? or in the tank planted?

I've never really had to worry that much about it before because the fish at my LFS are acclimated to the water from my tap. I'm starting to worry about it more as I'm hoping to go collecting and I'd like the pH/hardness of the water I bring the fish home to, to be similar to what they enjoy in nature.

Thanks!

This thread talks about living sphagnum. Do you mean in the filter? or in the tank planted?

I was thinking live moss in a seperate "cell" in a multiple tank system. The living mat of moss will block out the rest of the tank once it grows in full. You could have fun with pitcher plants and other bog species too. Adding peat moss to the water will lower pH, just like making tea will make the water more acidic. How much depends on the hardness of the water (its buffering capacity).

If you want to lower ph and hardness use collected rain water filtered with charcoal. Peat is best used in conjunction with soil in planted aquariums. Sphagnum moss is often sold as peat but has yet to undergo the decomposition process and leaching of nutrients like actual bog peat. Personally, I dislike the tannin stained water unless its serving a purpose.