PH and driftwood

[Tttay89]

Ok update
Tested my tap waters true pH after 24 hrs and it comes in at 8.0 from the 6.8 it does straight out the tap.
My water supplier says the water is classed as 'Very hard' and gave the values :
125 CA mg/l
310 CA co3 mg/l
??

Dribbled vinegar over gravel from the tank - did not fizz
Repeated for gravel straight from the bag - very slight fizzing

So what are my only choices now?
Either stick with the water I use and hope my fish adapt to around 8ph and accept that my soft water fish won't live as long.
Or
Convert to RO water and try to attempt to stick to a softer water and a stable level of 7
(May also change gravel still)

 

[Byron]

The pH is what I was expecting, but we now know with certainty.

As to your options, you have the two you mention. And a third.

Either stick with the water I use and hope my fish adapt to around 8ph and accept that my soft water fish won't live as long.
Or
Convert to RO water and try to attempt to stick to a softer water and a stable level of 7
(May also change gravel still),
Or
change to fish species that need harder water.

 

[Tttay89]

Change them as in take them back to the shops?.
Not Surprising the shops don't advise you that certain ones won't be good in our water even after telling me our water is rock hard

 

[Byron]

Change them as in take them back to the shops?.
Not Surprising the shops don't advise you that certain ones won't be good in our water even after telling me our water is rock hard

They want to sell fish. And depending upon the store, most do not train their staff.