Driftwood recommendations

[wlepse]

I seem to have something in my tank causing the pH to be fairly high (8.4-8.6). While I have read a stable pH is more important than a specific range for most fish I have also read that the higher the pH the more likely you are to get bacterial and fungal problems. So I was looking at natural ways to lower the pH but still make things stable and wanted to add some driftwood. But I still have a few questions regarding recommendations.

First would you recommend a few smaller pieces or one large piece? I tend towards the one big one since I think it will make cleaning easier than worrying about dropping a chunk on a fishy. But smaller ones would allow me to remove them if the pH goes too low.

Second, has anyone picked up a chunk from this ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) vendor on ebay? They say it naturally sinks so I would think it is a hardwood but it doesn't say it anywhere.

Last, I really like teh look of moss and other plants growing from the wood. Is this something I should do right away or add them slowly?

[Northernguy]

I think driftwood would help lower the ph a little bit.Peat moss in the filter will also help.
I like lots of driftwood in my tanks.I use both the smaller and large peices.lol
What size tank?What fish are you after?
Java moss looks great tied down and will grow to attach itself.
I have never bought driftwood.I just go find my own.

[Lab_Rat]

Either a large piece or a couple small pieces would work. It's not going to drop the pH tremendously, adding peat to the filter would help. What is in your tank that could be causing the increased pH? Do you have shells or crushed coral in there?

Java moss is pretty easy to grow on the wood, just string some on, and you can add it right away, no need to wait.

[wlepse]

Tank is a 37g so it is tall and I would like to get something that somewhat fills the height. As for what is raising the pH...not sure. I don't recall exactly but tap is around 7, added water conditioner....no change, added substrate and left for a week with no change. The only thing left are two plants and a resin decoration. The decoration is too big to test but it would be out if I added driftwood anyway.

As for fish...don't really know. Just starting off slow with platys and mollys for now.

[Lab_Rat]

What kind of substrate do you have? That is very odd that the pH would raise like that. When you tested the tap, did you let it sit for 24 hrs before testing?

[Northernguy]

Is it a liquid test kit or strips?

[wlepse]

Don't recall how long or if I waited on the tap water or after I added the water conditioner. After I added the rock I measured the pH immediately...no change and after several days it was still only like 7.4. And since there was a large amount of stone vs water compared to tank I would have expected a larger change if due to the rock. The rock is from Petco, don't recall the brand but it was all bagged. I can repeat the tests easy enough if youhave some suggestions.

[wlepse]

Is it a liquid test kit or strips?
API liquid

[Lab_Rat]

If it's normal aquarium gravel it shouldn't affect pH. If it's argonite substrate then that is the problem.

[wlepse]

If it's normal aquarium gravel it shouldn't affect pH. If it's argonite substrate then that is the problem.
Dont think it is and like I said it really didn't really change teh pH even after a few days. This ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) is the gravel I bought or at least it looks like the same thing.