driftwood and ph

[abstract]

I'm pretty sure i have read everywhere that driftwood will generally lower your pH. Well I just put a piece in a 20 long tank I'm cycling and it seems that it raised the pH dramatically. Is that possible? Should regular water changes eventually solve this problem if it IS raising the pH? I bought it from the lfs labeled as "safe for terrarium and aquarium usage"....soaked in boiling water a couple hours scrubbed, rinsed, repeat....some yellowing of the tank water but not too bad so far.

 

[Aquascaper]

It shouldn't do anything to the pH on it's own. Did you 'clean' it with anything that could raise the pH?

 

[CFC]

I dont see how wood can raise the pH, the tannins released are rich in humic acid which can only lower pH. Have you added or changed anything else in the tank or could the pH of your tapwater have gone up?