ph dropping

[Marekzero]

Hi guys I just put some driftwood into my aquarium and am worried that this may drag my ph down, so i was wondering what could i do to help combat the fall naturally?

Thanks for any advice

[Mick John]

G'day Mate. Just curious in knowing what kind of fish you keep? As a drop in PH may be ok. I'm having the opposite problem in my tank. The PH wants to keep rising despite the wood and the already Soft Water. You can get buffers that can stabilize the PH. I tend to use a product called Aquadur (when needed). This is full of minerals such as calcium and magnesium and it increases the Hardness of the water. This with "buffer" against any tannins (acids)that may leach out of the wood. Or you can use any substance that releases say Carbon or calcium such as coral etc.. A buffer is handy to have if your planning on using CO2 in say a planted Amazonian Tank and assuming your local water is already naturally very soft or for obviously African Cichlids etc. which require much harder water. But depending on what kind of Fish you have I would try and keep the Hardness of your water as close to their Natural Habitat as possible by using a Hardness Test Kit.

[Woodsy]

Mick's right mate, but the natural methods will not remove the stain that the tannins are responsible for. May I ask why you are set on a natural method of tannin control?

[Marekzero]

Sorry guys my first post may have been misleading, the tannin isn't a problem as i boiled the driftwood for several hours and then left it in a bucket of water for about a week. But if i do get some tannin into the water i have carbon pads for my fluval 2.

Its been in my tank for about a day now and doesn't look like any tannin has released.

I had read that driftwood can lower your ph, which is the reason for this thread.

Not too long ago i had a problem with my ph going up, but i started doing more regular maintenance such as gravel cleaning and water changes and that seemed to stabilize it at around 6.8-7.0. But i have tested the ph yesterday and today and it seems to be dropping from 6.6 and then to around 6.4.

As for my fish i have:
1 Red hump earth eater
1 Bolivian ram
1 swordtail
1 guppy
2 Bristlenose catfish

Thanks for any advice

[costatoolio]

Hey champ. you can add shell grit or limestone rocks if u can get them. this will harden the water and bring your ph back up.

[wangxinjia]

my fish tank has the same problem: PH dropping down no matter how much PH up I added in. I have once asked a aquarium owner and he said:" that's life my friend, PH is always dropping down naturally, you only worry about your tank but i have to worry every tank here......"

i don't think i can give you any good idea except use PH up. anyway, don't worry too much my firend.

[Woodsy]

pH up is not a buffer, and so depending on your tanks' make-up, may not be effective. Phosphate buffers should help dramatically, but may be undesirable in a planted tank.

[GoGuppy]

I would add some crushed sheel (preferable oyster shell, after having cleaned it very well) in an old nylon stocking foot and tie a knot in it. Place the sock say near the filter intake, or anywhere else there is a slight current flowing. Monitor pH and when it rises the sock can be removed easily.:D

Cheers

[dragonhunter]

chuck in coral bone