Saturating Peat Moss

[gwbasley]

I put together a mini-bog in a pottery pot, more as a feature than as a practical filtering system, but, nonetheless,something that will contribute to the pond's water quality. I have a bottom layer of pea gravel, a mid layer of fine gravel and topped off with sphagnum peat. The water source is at the bottom and percolates up through the media to a stand pipe drain. Fortunately, I had the foresight to place a screen over the standpipe because the peat moss is just floating! Can I expect it to settle with time or should I do something to help it along?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

First time that I have actually heard of using peat moss in a bog. That is where it originates.
This will likely continue to float no matter what. It has been processed from its harvested form and is no longer densely compacted.

 

[gwbasley]

What would you suggest in lieu of the peat?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

What would you suggest in lieu of the peat?

More gravel.

 

[Mucky_Waters]

And you might try planting some sort of marginal plants on the top in the gravel.

 

[gwbasley]

Yes, I do intend to add the plants as soon as I get the base up high enough. After skimming off the floating peat, I found that about half of it has sunk. Someone suggested using coarse sand for the top, (which we have a lot of here in FL), which would also stabilize the sunken peat...thoughts?

 

[snoozer]

I agree that gravel would be a better option. The peat will wash into the pond with the water that flows through even if topped with sand.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Sand will clog very quickly due to the very small void space between the individual grains.

 

[ChrisP]

In addition, peat moss can make the water acidic.

 

[gwbasley]

I removed the peat and replaced it with gravel as suggested, but, really, it is only a couple of gallon pot for a 400 gallon pond and I don't think a 1/2" layer of peat would have impacted the ph level. This pot is just a feature and I thought I'd set it up in a way to help the working Bio-filter.

I'm thinking of planting something grassy with maybe a single tall flowering plant. The open part of the pot is 12" and the center 4" is the outflow standpipe.