I bought some aquarium peat to put in one of my filters to encourage my angel pair to breed. it is just pellets, not in any mesh or anything and comes with very little instruction. I want make sure that I use it properly and help my fish not hurt them.

Yoda the best way is to experiment first to see how much peat will drop your ph to the desired amount. I would try it in a rubbermaid container or something first that way you can control it rather than putting it in your tanks filters and having ph swings while you experiment and endangering your fish.

What is your water like? They may not need the peat at all. How old are they? What are you feeding them?

I have heard that our water is like 8.2 ph out of the tap, but I have never tested it. The pair I ahve are a little over a year old; don't know the exact age. The guy I bought them from had had two spawn with them but no surviving fry. I am feeding them a angel/discus pellets that are high in protein alternated with regular tetra flakes with some freeze dried shrimp mixed in.

The tank is a planted tank and the back corner has a amazon sword and slate for them to lay eggs on. I think that I might need to thin out the crytocorne in the back to give them more room.

The guy I bought them from did not use peat as far as I know; I just read that it could help.

Well, they are definitely old enough. I suspect the high pH isn't helping, but the real question is actually, how hard is your water? If you don't know, you should able to call your water provider, or at least someone who sells water softeners. They often know the general readings of the local water.

Hey Yodahorn, the tapwater out of my faucet where we both live
is 8.2.

HTH