Driftwood Effects on pH?

[inari]

Hey Guys,

I am decoratoring my 55 gallon going for a more natural look. It will have 2 freshwater angels, Rainbows (6 I'm thinking) at least 6 cories (not sure of species yet) and one BN. I am also looking for some plants maybe ones that flower (that would be nice). I am considering putting some driftwood in the tank, but I am wondering if that would change my pH I usually sit around a 7 (give or take .2 to .3). I don't want the driftwood to drop the pH too much, but if it does what can I use (natural prefered) to balance out the pH. There are no fish in the tank currently (or plants for that matter). I'm not starting to cycle the tank just yet, because I am leaving in August for 10 days and still putting the decorations together. Any help is appreciated! Also any ideas on plants or other decorations is appreciated!

 

[carsonsgjs]

Driftwood wont have a major effect on your ph provided that your kh is at a reasonable level. Any effect on your ph will be cancelled out by regular water changes - avoid using chemical buffers etc.

A stable steady ph is the most important thing.

 

[awilkinson871]

Agree with carsonsgjs, choose a wood that does not leach a lot of tannins such as spiderwood and soak it in a bucket for a few weeks to remove what is in there. The less tannins, the less temporary effect that the wood has. If the ph does get low just do a water change. If you use a wood that effects the ph too much you can add a media bag with some crushed coral to balance things back out. But only if necessary.

 

[MacZ]

Unless you have low (less than 3-5°) KH driftwood won't impact the pH much.

 

[inari]

thanks guys!

Also while I am here, I found this 'spider wood' with moss on it. The moss isn't included would Java Moss do something comparable?

Cheers!


BONSAI DRIFTWOOD Aquarium Natural Tree Fish Tank Decoration, 7-in - Chewy.com

 

[carsonsgjs]

thanks guys!

Also while I am here, I found this 'spider wood' with moss on it. The moss isn't included would Java Moss do something comparable?

Cheers!


BONSAI DRIFTWOOD Aquarium Natural Tree Fish Tank Decoration, 7-in - Chewy.com

Sure would. Theres plenty of youtube videos and online articles showing how you can make your own bonsai tree using java moss, anubias, java fern etc.

 

[awilkinson871]

That looks pretty cool. The java moss in my tank tends to grow upwards. You may have to trim it to keep it more compact.

 

[inari]

That looks pretty cool. The java moss in my tank tends to grow upwards. You may have to trim it to keep it more compact.

Do you have any suggestions on what might grow well on something like that?

 

[awilkinson871]

You can use java moss. Almost any type of moss will have to be trimmed from time to time just like any other plant.

 

[inari]

You can use java moss. Almost any type of moss will have to be trimmed from time to time just like any other plant.

Most of the time I don't bother trimming as long as they aren't going out of control LOL

 

[dmk164]

Hey Guys,

I am decoratoring my 55 gallon going for a more natural look. It will have 2 freshwater angels, Rainbows (6 I'm thinking) at least 6 cories (not sure of species yet) and one BN. I am also looking for some plants maybe ones that flower (that would be nice). I am considering putting some driftwood in the tank, but I am wondering if that would change my pH I usually sit around a 7 (give or take .2 to .3). I don't want the driftwood to drop the pH too much, but if it does what can I use (natural prefered) to balance out the pH. There are no fish in the tank currently (or plants for that matter). I'm not starting to cycle the tank just yet, because I am leaving in August for 10 days and still putting the decorations together. Any help is appreciated! Also any ideas on plants or other decorations is appreciated!

limestone or crushed coral will raise ph naturaly