let the tank cycle longer and drift wood will suck out the ph in the water. i have that problem with my tank its to low due to my drift wood but my fish and plecos love it.
Nope, nitrates are the end product of the cycle, so you're not done yet. Ammonia and nitrites should be 0 (you're close).
Have you tested your source water pH? There's no point in playing with pH if your source is going to keep raising it back up. Most fish are pretty adaptable (it's variations in pH that cause more problems than the pH value itself), and if you get them locally, odds are that the water in the store is pretty much the same as yours.
Almost there! It is hard to wait that last little while, but these folks have told you right. Just stick it out till the ammonia and nitrites are 0. Your nitrates at 10 indicate it is close, but before you add fish, they should all be right, then do a 50% water change, and start with only a couple of fish at a time. Let the bacteria catch up with the new additions. You continue all through this time testing. It will alert you to problems before the fish get sick!
Yup the tank's still cycling, will be done once the nitrites are gone (should be soon).
Don't worry about your pH, fish can adapt to it fine and trying to change it usually makes it fluctuate which is stressful. My tap water's pH is around 8 and all my fish are fine.
Hmm, doesn't sound like any of that would be a problem. I wouldn't worry about the pH too much -- acclimate the fish properly when you get them, and they'll hardly notice it.
Drift wood will not be adequate to alter pH significantly (unless you have a LOT of it). It is a better water softener than anything else. Using RO water will fix your pH problem for you. Do partial water changes using solely RO water which will have a pH ~7. Keep in mind, RO water will have a GH/KH of nearly 0. It will be necessary for you, after time, to add baking soda to increase KH which is important to the stability of your aquarium's pH.
I think pH of 8 for freshwater is a bit on the high side if you intend on keeping plants in the future. A pH this high will make it difficult to hold an adequate supply of CO2 (naturally or injected) in the water.
Almost there! It is hard to wait that last little while, but these folks have told you right. Just stick it out till the ammonia and nitrites are 0. Your nitrates at 10 indicate it is close, but before you add fish, they should all be right, then do a 50% water change, and start with only a couple of fish at a time. Let the bacteria catch up with the new additions. You continue all through this time testing. It will alert you to problems before the fish get sick!
