[Jacob]

So germ free water is needed- my tank has peat filtration, driftwood, and will have almond leaves as a substrate. All of this is decaying organic matter- it’s not likely to introduce germs the way a thick layer of gravel substrate would, is it?
I thought the leaves, driftwood and peat could be thought of as contributing humic substances, which is a good thing (and a quality of blackwater along with low ph and hardness and high temperature which all work together to kill most forms of life that live in freshwater habitats). But would a layer of almond leaves as a substrate and constant peat filtration make the tank not as germ free as it should be because of all the ever present decaying matter?
This is probably a VERY basic science question but I am just an aquarium hobbyist, not a scientist!