Driftwood Lowered My Ph In 3 Tanks!

[Ruskull]

My tap water is around 7.5 - 7.6 and my (3) tanks are all community tanks which should be around 7.0 to accomodate the averages of the fish.

I added 2 big pieces to the 20 gallon, 2 medium pieces to the 10 gallon & 4 medium pieces to my 36 gallon.

The readings as of yesterday were:

36 gallon: 7.0

20 gallon: 7.2

10 gallon: 6.8

The only problem is that the 20 gallon gets a bit brown looking after only a couple of days. The other 2 tanks are crystal clear. Probably the newest piece of driftwood releasing tannins? I'm going to try a new filter cartridge with carbon & see if that helps................

 

[phocoena]

I'd guess the tannins too.

 

[Ruskull]

I'd guess the tannins too.

Do you think a new filter cartridge with carbon might help?

 

[ninjaseal]

I'd guess the tannins too.

Do you think a new filter cartridge with carbon might help?

nice setup

 

[BigbruiserAl]

test a bucket of water without any wood in although wood drops ph that is a fair amount. Mt tap water comes out at ph7.4 but settles at 6.6 thats without wood

 

[Ruskull]

I'd guess the tannins too.

Do you think a new filter cartridge with carbon might help?

nice setup

Thanks! It's still a work in progress and I started the 36 gallon at the beginning of November. I can't wait for the plants to fill in and cover some of the blue background............

 

[Ruskull]

test a bucket of water without any wood in although wood drops ph that is a fair amount. Mt tap water comes out at ph7.4 but settles at 6.6 thats without wood

I'll try that test, thanks!