Re: peat as substrate

• To: Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
• Subject: Re: peat as substrate
• From: Elizabeth Worobel <eworobe at cc_UManitoba.CA>
• Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 07:24:04 -0600 (CST)
• Cc: Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
• In-Reply-To: <199602010839.DAA16688 at looney_actwin.com>

Dont add composted manure! The organic matter is way too high ... 
generally a soil substrate should not have more than 20% organic matter 
or the macrophyte growth decreases. Peat is not a problem, however, since 
the organic matter is 'refractive', that is , it is not easily oxidized. 
One of the main benefits of a soil substrate is that it is anaerobic ... 
this solubilizes iron, phosphorus and converts N-NO3 to N-NH4 which is 
preferred by most aquatic plants. You do not want these minerals leaching 
back into the water, in fact a heating coil works the other way by 
bringing water into the soil (or so I'ver read).
The best substrate for growing aquatic plants is a silt or sandy loam 
with about 10 to 20% organic matter. The trick is to find some that is not 
contaminated with chemicals.

Dr. Dave

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