"NetMax" It's been my experience that filtering and water softening with
peat
fibre work best in their own separate external filters. Putting them
together is somewhat klugey, as i) peat clogs easily starving the
filter's biological function, ii) typically requires more room for the
peat than is available and iii) the peat and filters don't often have the
identical maintenance interval. Just my observations. I'm sure many can
make it work. If you want to try it, I suggest you look into
concentrated peat pellets, which are better designed for this.

For your 'natural' nitrates, look to natural plants, either in the tank
or in a planted reservoir (ie: algae scrubbers).

Ok Thanks.

two external filters? Oh dear - still negotiating to be allowed to put ONE
on the floor behind the unit.......

can you put the peat pellets in loose?


I have it quite heavily planted - and after a couple of years of replacing
plants every few weeks I thought to ask the chap in the shop. His
recommendations for this area are going like the clappers.

But i have just tested my tank and tap water this evening at the same time -
and I couldn't tell the two purples apart - both about 20. makes it a bit
academic to change the water to reduce nitrate levels.... still - need to
siphon off the wastes i suppose.

ken