[Jacob]

So the tank is peat filtered and tests fine (based on multi puprpose test strips, and except for a little nitrate), but your idea of treating the water with pH lowering chemicals and then adding blackwater extract may be superior to relying on peat, which has to be tested to confirm its properties.
First I wonder what the best test kit is for blackwater, for the pH and hardness. There are low range test kits, I assume those are fine but maybe there are some particular test kits that are the best choice.
Then I would have to change the water until it is replaced with the new ph lowering and blackwater extract treated water.
You said you use a Sera ph lowering product, with that and blackwater extract, would that be good enough of a solution? The Indian Almond leaves I am going to use as substrate, there is no reaosn to add some kind of extract of them to new water as well?
A thick layer of leaves would look nice and probably hold lots of live food, hopefully the antibacterial properties they have would outweigh their ability to accumulate dirt like gravel would. Maybe not that thick a layer, but it is tempting because it would look so natural.