driftwood and PH

[Ann from Vermont]

I've been told that driftwood will lower PH. My well water has a PH of 7.8. My aquarium is 125 gallons. I'm planning to put in a really large piece of drift wood .. around 3 feet long. What is the most that any of you have seen drift wood lower your PH ?
Ann from Vermont

 

[freddyk]

The effect of driftwood on the tank depends on the water and the type of wood used. At a ph of 7.8 you'll probably find the effect of it minimal, but your KH is a determining factor as well as dissolved mineral content.

In my experience though, the effect is negligible and nothing to worry about.

 

[Ann from Vermont]

My KH is 5 and my GH is 6....both pretty low to have a PH of 7.8. don't you think?? I was hoping that if I put in a large piece of driftwood that it might lower the PH a little. The driftwood I am thinking about buying is from a place called www.aquariumdriftwood.com. It's in florida and is collected underwater so they say it does not need to be attached to a slate piece ...that it will naturally sink. I would like to be able to have angel fish, cardinal tetras and possibly discus, and would like to see the PH drop a little. I also have about 20 live plants, however the tank is only about 2 months old. Sounds like a CO2 system might help lower the PH but for that size tank that would be at least a couple hundred dollars and I'm not sure tht is the way I want to go. Thanks for your response.

Ann from Vermont