Does Driftwood Lower Aquarium pH?
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- Опубліковано 24 кві 2020
- Hello Fellow Fish Keepers!
In this video we discuss whether or not driftwood lowers pH in your aquarium. Many people have stated it does, while a lot of people have noticed no impact. We will discuss why that happens!
Amazon affiliate link for the Apera pH meter: amzn.to/2S81Ws5
Want to learn more about water chemistry? Check out these videos!
Water Hardness: • Fish Tank Water Hardne...
Aquarium pH: • Aquarium pH: Everythin...
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Thanks for watching! - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Amazon affiliate link for the Apera pH meter: amzn.to/2S81Ws5
Want to learn more about water chemistry? Check out these videos!
Water Hardness: ua-cam.com/video/xRYdtvakfv0/v-deo.html
Aquarium pH: ua-cam.com/video/d9N-JliqsJg/v-deo.html
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
Love Joanne’s tank!! 💕🌱🐌🐠
This is the kind of video I'd share with people who don't understand, to save me a bunch of time explaining.
However. Sadly. I forget to share such videos and end up messaging advice for ages.
Great video.
Yeap, yeap.... spot on PTA! Was just talking about this the other day. Thanks for your time good Sir!
Another great video and you know how much I appreciate how you explain everything so we can understand!! You make being a student a pleasure 😁 I appreciate your thoughtfulness, plus you always share links to things you know we will truly need at great prices. And if it helps support this channel that's a win-win ♥️ when I kept fish the first time around, I worked in a pet store, so I went head-first into specialty type aquariums (discus)and it was a lot of work to keep water parameters right. I was successful, but I can say I didn't enjoy the maintenance, because of the stress to make sure to keep my water right. This time I'm trying to work with the water that I have and it is a lot more enjoyable. Right now if I use an API 5 in 1 test strip. The only thing that changes is the pH,it is between 6.5 and 7. The rest of the strip doesn't change color. That has been consistent over the past six months of having my tanks. I'm going to get me a TDS meter. Have you shared a link for one? Sorry that I'm always long-winded.🤣 But Primetime aquatics videos are inspiring and makes the hobby fun. I hope you have an amazing weekend. I promise I'll get better on the long comments 🤣🤣❤️✌️🙏🐟🌱🌿
Another great one Jason!!
You are the best informational source. We all appreciate your educational background.
Thanks for watching!
That explains it very well Jason. I learnt something new today. Thanks for that.👍🏻
Thank you! Good to hear!
I absolutely love your videos on water chemistry! I also love that your explanations are scientifically based as well as anecdotal. Keep up the good work and I’ll continue to reference your videos when the internet confuses me 😂
Thank you! Appreciate it!
Very informative as usual. Thank you.
Great video. Really like the education aspect of your videos!
Appreciate you watching!
your water chemistry videos are so helpful to a newbie in the hobby!
Thank you!
Excellent video and informative and chemistry. ..once again you explained something that can had to comprehend and made a practical explanation that we can relate to.
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for the last-second scenario. My actual sitch at the moment.
My new Prime Time Aquatics
t-shirt fits perfectly and looks amazing. It’ll be seen all over St. Louis. Thank you again for your channel.
Almost missed this one, very helpful 🤓
What a great video. Learned something new today. Thank you.
Awesome! Thanks for watching
This is the clearest discussion I have ever heard of this. Good job. 👍👍👍
Thank you! Appreciate you watching.
Prime Time Aquatics I often watch your videos. They are knowledgeable and informative, clear and entertaining. Thankyou so much! Stay well and safe.
Have hard well water, just know I like the way wood looks in an aquarium. Rocks wood,plants and pleco caves are my only decorations. Thanks for the video Professor!
It does give a nice look!
That driftwood is EPIC!
Thx 😊 Jason
Why do you only have 70k subs? Your videos are excellent - great information, great clarity and relevance and great presentation, In other words GREAT raised to the 3rd power. Keep it up, well appreciated.
Thank you so much! Really appreciate you being here. :-)
Two years later and it's 181k
3 years later and it’s now at 214k.
Thanks You taught me something.
Glad to hear it!
this was helpful
Great video Jason! One day, I hope that you are able to visit me here in California so that you can analyze my water and make some suggestions! Hope you and the family are doing well.
Hey Zenzo! If we are ever out that way I definitely want to come by and see your fish room!. :-) Hope you and the family are doing well.
Nice video.
agree! if you use RODI water with remineralization (product containing low KH), your driftwood will have much higher impact on your pH
Thanks for sharing!
Are KH & GH are almost a zero in Seattle, so we have to use crushed coral to keep the ph from crashing.
I boiled 2 small pieces of driftwood to put in my 5 gal tank for 20min, 5 times over. First time tank set up, pH after 1 week was 6.4, water pH was +7. Might have low kH!
On point! The common confusion is between soft VS acidic water. The water becomes soft if it's devoid of those minerals that buffer the water. The water is acidic if there is presence of acids, like tannic acid, regardless if the water is soft or hard. On that note, water can be hard and acidic at the same time.
I've noticed that in my tanks (neutral pH, hard water) wood can have an effect when it's new (usually minor). However it doesn't last very long, since most of the tannins seem to leach out within the first few weeks or months. Also, the type of wood can make a difference as well as the size and shape (surface area) of the wood and volume of the tank. I would imagine the substrate might also impact the buffering.
I think you are exactly right. The tannins might have a minor initial impact, but then fades as the tannins are removed with water changes.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Hence why I use a bunch of almond leaves in my tanks. And now thinking about making my own tannin tea from old leaves that I find in nature. I've seen a few reviews on it and it seems to work?
As the layers of wood degrade or plecos chew at the wood new fresh organic layer reacts with the water and more tannins are released which is another reason why some wood keeps releasing tannins for a while.
TheOpelkoenjas so you’re going to risk pouring the concentrated water that was used to prep the leaves in that’s now full of everything you didn’t want to take a chance on putting into your tank. Specially from leaves you found, which you have no idea how many times/if those leaves were treated with pesticides or anything else that might be harmful. It’s not worth the risk. Would you risk or feel safe boiling a expired piece of raw chicken then drinking then chicken broth water? Why not, you boiled it, it must be perfectly fine, right? Idk maybe you’d feel safe but I’m not drinking that broth, who know what bacteria or whatever might not have been fully killed off at that temperature.
I live in Tasmania and I have collected gnarly bits of twisted Eucalyptus drift wood. Eucalypt leaches out a lot of tannins. Boiled for 90 minutes twice (!) Then soaked for over a week before use in my tank but the water still went like tea. I quite like the Blackwater look and I would like to try making one in the future. The water is now crystal clear and the wood looks great. The pH went up to over 8.5 but after a few water changes (a week or two) the pH went down. I don't know of anyone who has used eucalypt in a planted tank and I was warned by my friend that it could be bad for the fish because of the oils. The fish are thriving and have improved in colour over 5 months later.
Please make a video on ph up and down.
I put a untreated driftwood in my crayfish pond put some methylene blue and it's been 8months now problem so far no diseases but the color of my pond is like a tea
Great information as usual!
How about video providing tips on how to catch fish for relocation? I have 3 hillstream loaches in a 20 long that i want to relocate to a 75 and they are impossible to net.
Ermmm..... fishing..?
😁
I use one of those plastic mesh sheets you get at craft stores and put it in the tank and it covers the entire width of the tank. I then move it slowly to one side herding the fish to one place on the other end and nab the little buggers there.! Resistance IS Futile!
Very god information!
Thanks! :-)
Hi Jason, Great educational videos as always, I live in Toronto, in a Condo, I do water change just 50% on Wednesdays and 50-70% Sundays with a gravel vac. i have a 220 gallon, with 20, 5-7" Discus, my API tests are within the recommended parameters, except the water Hardness, this always between 60-180 GH, would you recommend trying to adjust the GH in anyway, I am afraid of trying any thing and getting a crash, although i am no into breeding, both discus and angels lay eggs every once in a while.
If your fish are healthy I probably wouldn't try to adjust it. Thanks for watching!
Prime Time Aquatics Thanks You, look forward for your next lesson Prof.
I bought a $10 piece of driftwood at my LFS. Boiled it three times in 2 days. Put it in my 20g long and in two days the water was very light tinted but all 12 of my glowlights were dead and a platy dead 2 days later. Ph dropped from 7.4 to 6 too quickly. I tested ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and did a water change the day before adding the driftwood. Levels were the usual good. Didn't consider checking gh and kh. I am slowly doing extra water changes hoping the driftwood stops leeching as much tannins. So far my 6 platies are ok.
I’m sorry that happened.
How we can scrub hard to remove green spot algae from plastic aquarium without without scratch it? Is there any way to kill these green spot algae?
Hi Jason. What is your opinion about using Wonder Shells as a buffer?
I have not used them so I have no direct experience. I have heard some people say they work well.
Great video. I recall reading somewhere that a heavily planted tank will lower KH, which in turn will reduce the buffering in a tank. Is this true in your experience?
You know, I haven't tested it enough to know for sure.
That's interesting....I have low KH but very high GH and my ph fluctuates from 7.0 to about 6.0
If I increase my lighting in my planted tank, then usually my PH goes up. And if I decrease my lighting in my planted tank, it will usually lower my Ph. However it does nothing to affect my hardness and my kH. They stay the same no matter what I do....
I just realized the ph in all of the 3 tanks I have is pretty high , about 8 and 9 ... can it be damaging for my fish ? In a tank I have female bettas , espei rasboras and flame tetras ( that’s the tank with the small driftwood ) , in another tiger barbs and rosy barbs and in the biggest tank I have a large black moor with 3 female ( two platys and one swordtail ) livebearers ....
The last tank is actually good for the live bearers. The other two it’s probably ok if they’ve been in that environment for a while.
Hi Jason, I just set up my first 75gal aquarium and I ordered a big piece of drift wood off Amazon. When I got it I washed it off, and I filled up my tank and got everything going and put it in the tank everything seemed good but now 2 days later my water looks durty like it has a brown tent to it. What should I do?
Leave it and enjoy the tannins while they last. Haha. As you do water changes the color will dissipate.
Yes. Almond leaves or ph down
Hey Jason, where’s that ph meter link? I want one!!! Take my money!! Lol
I just put it in the description. Haha
Prime Time Aquatics And I just noticed it’s pinned in the comments 😂 Thanks though 👍
I have African cichlids with driftwood it is ok? For long term use. I have crushed corals also.
Sure - I’ve done that too.
What if you have low ph and kh? ☹
So, if I have about an 8ph and hard water a piece of driftwood that's a little bigger than my fist it wont affect my ph that much? It's going in a 125g tank for a new clown pleco I just got.
Most likely it won’t have much of an impact.
Hi thank you very much for the information.
A week ago I bought red moore drift wood and I cleaned them with normal called water and then put them for a test in 125 L aquarium. Today after a week I can see a build up of white algae on the wood ! Is that normal ? How to treat it? Does it harm the fish.
Do you suggest drift wood for discus tank? If yes what would be the best drift wood type .
Because is my 1st time to use drift wood .
Please advise .
Thanks
Good Question! That white fuzz you see is normal. It usually grows quickly and then goes away after a while. Snails and plecos will sometimes eat it. Yes, driftwood can certainly be used in a discus tank. They type isn't as important as maybe making sure there aren't a lot of shape edges.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks Jason I have only discus . So I will wait and see . Yes I agree sharp edges worries me a lot.
How often do you recommend cleaning sponge filter?
I clean mine every week in tap water. Keeps them functioning at their best.
please help????? how to maintain pH of 5, for ALTUM ANGELS! i have driftwood and indian leaves. but pH does not go lower than 6.5 or so..
The best way to get the pH down is an RO unit and then remineralize back up to 5.
Hello, I am wanting to buy an angel fish for my aquarium. Our local water has a higher PH and hardness. Our local fish store has the angel fish for sale in a tank using RO water. So if I buy this fish it will go from a lower ph in the store to a higher ph and hardness in my aquarium. Will this cause issues? How do I help with the transition?
Good question - yes, it could cause issues. There really is no easy way to transition unless you start using RO water as well. It might be worth searching online and seeing if anyone is breeding them and selling them in water parameters closer to your own?
I have 9 breeding pairs of mikro geophagus. From what I've learnt, dwarf cichlids need very soft water under 100ppm.. now I'm using RO water. Is there any point trying to re-mineralize?
It might help stabilize the pH a little and the fish still need some minerals in their water.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thanks. As a new hobbyist any advice is always very much appreciated. Keep up the great content.👌
I'm trying to setup my first aquarium and having a horrible time trying to figure out which fish to get. Our water is hard. PH is 8.4, GH and KH are both 16.8 and I only have a 10 gallon. I do not want livebeares so right now I have no fish.
If you had a 20 gallon with those water parameters it would open up all the shell dwelling cichlids!
I have high kh how do i lower this? My ph is high too....nitrate is hard to keep low too i put plants in and it helped. Please help.
The only way to do it consistently is to add some RO water.
Is this fish this is awesome
so then how do i lower KH ? My 106 gal planted tank is 3KH, my ph has been a nightmare 7.8 and i would like to lower to KH1 and PH 6.9
You might not need to lower KH in this case to get the pH down. You might be able to use peat moss in your filter?
I have boiled my driftwood several times and it's still turning the water brown. It's much lighter than in the beginning but I'm hesitant to put it in the tank as I don't want it to turn my water brown. How do I know when it's safe to add it to the tank?
The wood is safe allready.
Stop boiling it and just filter over carbon to remove the tannins if its undesired.
Great info . But now I have 0 clue what to do with new betta . Can I add wood and dirt to 8 ph or can I not :(
Most likely. Just have to let everything settle and see where your water parameters are at once everything is in there.
Yes. The whole point of the video is that he's saying that the higher the kh the less likely you are to have your ph affected. Get a kh test of some kind. If it's extremely high, then it's gonna be hard to change your ph no matter how many tannins you add. The good news is that most domestic bettas are perfectly fine in a ph of 8 to 8.6 as long as they are preadjusted! Even if the ph isn't affected much, the tannins themselves will still help your betta and the soil will still help the plants. It's almost, almost a blessing in disguse for beginners like us.
I put fresh wood (grapevine, peach or apple branches etc). Will fresh/live wood affect PH?
Maybe, but it also breaks down rapidly and causes some severe water quality issues.
@PrimeTimeAquatics ok, good to know. Thanks so much. After all of the 100s of fish videos I have watched, I should know this. I know pros scoff at us beginners, but we are the ones that actually need advice. Don’t forget we are here and please keep us in your thoughts. I am wondering why noneof u never bothered to mention this to us. I actually appreciate your response, since, in general, we are nobodies.
Yes, yes it does...
Ok, I'm a bit confused about the driftwood, KH & pH relationship. I used to believe that when I lived in Connecticut. But now that I live in New Hampshire I don't buy it any more. Let me explain... My tap water comes out as TDS 96, GH 0, KH 0, pH 6.5. I add Seachem Equilibrium which raises my TDS to 126, GH to 4. I then add sodium bicarbonate which raises my KH to 3 and my pH to 6.8. By the end of a week before my water change the KH dropped back to zero but my pH stays at 6.8. The tank in question is a 40B with a couple of amazon swords, a couple of good size pieces of driftwood and lightly stocked (3 corys, 4 juvenile, angels & 6 cherry barbs). I don't raise my KH any higher because it also raises the pH and I don't want to go any higher. I'm old school (started in the 60's) and always had a 6.8 pH which converts ammonia to ammonium (safer for fish). Not that I have ammonia but if for some reason I loose a cycle my fish stand to survive.
So I'm a bit baffled.
With a KH of 0 to 3 and driftwood in the tank, how the heck is my pH staying stable at 6.8?
My water seems to be breaking some know beliefs... 😮
P.S. - I can add just enough (very little) sodium bicarbonate to my fresh water to bring the KH back to 3 before it raises the tank waters pH. DANG, didn't know after all these years in the hobby I'd have to learn chemistry for my fish water LOL. 😄
I wonder if your pH is moving depending on when the lights are on? If you have a planted tank or substantial algae, CO2 is being removed when the lights are on, which can increase pH temporarily. When the lights go off and the plants start producing CO2 with the rest of the inhabitants, the pH may go back down. This is actually a much bigger issue in ponds. Either way, the swing isn't crazy and often with older pieces of driftwood that have released most of their tannins, the impact may not be as great. Also, if the tank is lightly stocked there just might be enough waste to have an impact on pH in between water changes.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I have checked my pH both in the morning and in the evening before the lights go off. My pH is the same. I'm using an Aquaneat RGB LED on the tank so it's not high light by any means LOL. I keep the tank cleaned of most algae except the velvety algae on the driftwood. One piece of driftwood is 2+ years old but the other 2 are only a few months old. I check all my water parameters at least once a week (have 20 tanks going right now) to see if anything is changing. So far everything stays stable and nitrates stay 20ppm or lower.
Y’all never do an acid titration curve? This makes total sense after having taken chemistry
It would. :-)
I bought two bristlenose plecos for my 125 African Cichlid tank want to add wood for them but want one that doesn’t lower the ph ? Which do you recommend? Or is it needed for them? If not what else can I give to help with fiber
I tend to like mopani. It doesn't have to be a very big piece - just enough for them to have their own little space. They don't need it, but certainly enjoy it.
Prime Time Aquatics awesome thanks bro added them to my main tank last night they got to eating algae right away lol they made it through the night only the yellow lab seemed to be interested in it for a bit then swam away
How long should I boil for before adding to tank ?
My waterlilies sure do.
I have read that Magnolia leaves can be used like Indian Almond leaves for betta fish tanks...is that true? and can Magnolia wood be used in tanks as well like driftwood?
I'm not sure because I haven't tried it?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you. I'm still hunting for info because I have a huge tree in my yard!
I would love to lower my GH, KH, and PH for my acquarium, water where I live is harder that stone...
@Reclusiarch Grimaldus My tap water is at 20KH XD
I recently purchased a couple pieces of driftwood. I boiled them several times. Could never get the water clear. I got tired of waiting, thinking that most of the tannin had to be gone by then. Well i was wrong. Now my tank is dark and i do not know how to get rid of the dark water. I've been doing were changes about once a week. It seems to help for a bit then after a few days it is dark again. I really the like driftwood but this is ridiculous that I'm still dealing with dark water especially after following the directions on how to avoid that happening. Any other suggestions?
Enjoy it while it lasts. Haha. It will eventually fade.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics After I sent that question to you, your video showed up pertaining to my issue.😊 Gives me piece of mind that it will eventually go away. I don't mind it too much, but it's a tad too dark. Thanks for your help!!
How do you check for the calcium carbonate in your water?
Most water hardness tests have both GH and KH testing.
@PrimeTimeAquatics ok will look for a water hardness test😊
My tap water is 7.4 PH. When I do a water change, over 24 hours my PH rises to 8.2. I have driftwood and rocks and plants. It's a 68-gallon tank. Any ideas why it rises?
That can happen. As long as it’s stable at 8.2 it’s ok.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics cool. My only concern is that when I do a water change the PH drops back to around 7.6. Is that too much shock to the fish? Fish all are ok at that moment.
Depends on which type of wood your using to determine the ups and down of your kh.
My water ph is 8.0. Kh is 6. Gh is 2. 0 ammonia. 0 nitrite, and 0 nitrate. Been checking water for 3 weeks straight and this is what I been getting. I currently have black skirt tetras(6), neon tetras(6), and about to get 6 Julii catfish. My aquarium is 28 gallons. What’s the best way I can lower my PH between 7 and 7.5 or is my ph fine for these fish?
I have kept those fish at that pH and slightly harder water and didn’t have any issues. Have fun!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics okay. Thank ya. Enjoy your videos. I just brought home 4 more neon tetras, so we now have 10. The other 6 needed 4 more friends.
How long will the drift wood release tannins in the water? I have a large wood in my 20 gallon.
As the wood slowly breaks down it will always release tannins. I've always been told tannins are like lotion, good for the fish's skin.
@@Toneloke-3000 I guess forever yellow water for me haha.
Also if you have fish that like the wood for example a pleco that chews at it then more of the organic under layer will be exposed helping to release the tannins as well.
For us, usually after about 4-5 50% water changes over the course of 4-5 weeks most of it is gone.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics awesome info thank you.
Would the wood cause nitrite spikes?
Usually it doesn't, but if the tank was relatively new I guess it is possible.
What if. Want it in my cichlid tank?
South and Central American cichlids - it's usually no problem. If your KH is high and it doesn't impact your pH it's fine for African cichlids too.
Did you happen to rinse, soak or boil that large piece of driftwood?
For this one - we just chucked it right in. Haha
Where do you get a ph meter
Check out the description under the video. I have it linked there. :-)
I've boiled a piece of wood three times and it still floats. What do I do
Sometimes it just takes a little time. You could weight it down with rocks too.
That pH reader is over $300 is there another cheaper brand that is also accurate?
The one I linked was only like $20 when I bought it? I’ll check
So Carbonate hardness resist PH change in the water? So how someone increase Carbonate Hardness?
That is true!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics how do i increase carbonate hardness? Sorry i ask a lot, i am new to this world.
Hello I need an expert to help me figure it out, is it safe to put burned drift wood inside aquarium that contain fish?? Will the charcoal that remain in the wood harm the fish?? Thank you
No, the carbon from the burned wood would most likely wind up in the water and irritate the fish while also causing a pH crash.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics so it's not safe ..??? Alrightt thank you
@@PrimeTimeAquatics it's just the tip that burned up, and not the whole thing actually...but maybe it's cause the same effect I suppose??
Can I use a Pine root for drift wood?
I believe pine leaches sap into the water, which can hurt fish?
Yes
Dont use pine wood ever.
The saps/resin can make the water really dirty and it smells horrible
Perhaps when its really old and dried it might work.
But i would never take the risk.
My ph has gone from 6.8 to 6 - what should I do???
Water changes to get the tannins out can help. If it doesn't stabilize it may be necessary to pull the wood out.
You had me at "let's go around the fishroom..."
I always used to look at the EBA tank behind your left shoulder and now that you've moved them I have no choice but to get lost in that lush mane....
#BeardLivesMatter
I have driftwood in my gallon betta tank. I use spring water when I do water change but my ph is 7.6 - 7.8. Is this ok? I have tried a neutralizer but still high. Any help greatly appreciated.
Our pH is around an 8.0 and our bettas seem to do fine in that water.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thank you very much for your response.
I’m not saying I have high gH and kH, but my water changes are 9 gallons of HCl to one gallon of H2O to get perfect Tanganyikan water... just kidding! (Actually to one quart of H2O... ;)
My tanks have lots of botanicals but since I have high gH/kH and keep up on my water changes, I see no difference. :(
You had me worried for a minute. Haha
💓👍💓
👍👍👌👌😍
She made a sexy tank scape. Love it.
Linden Edwards thank you!
I just realized I am not going to have plants like ever. My water hardness is out of the roof. Its water changes forever for me.
Get a wall mount RODI they aren't that big and they are like 100 bucks for a good one.
That's a fine beard you have there
BTW
anyone curious about Huon Pine, if it has stopped off gassing, another words "Seasoned" (believe me, you'll know)
it is totally fine for your Tank (I have a 90 Gallon, and small 100 liter stock tank) no issues, no real PH impact either
Not my experience. Just makes the water yellow/brown.
Purigen will remove yellow brown colouration. It's expensive but it works.
Activated Carbon works!
The only problem I see here is none of these devices available from Amazon or anywhere else are reliable. There is no way of getting reliable results other than sending soil or water samples to an accredited laboratory which use highly sophisticated scientific equipment. Everything available to home hobbyists is essentially junk.
I actually have access to lab-quality pH and other testing equipment. I have found the one I use to be right on.
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@10.02 AM 4/25/2020
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Nice video.