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I am setting up a 72G African tank, and I just could not resist buying 2 pieces of driftwood last night from my LFS...they looked TOO good to not bring home. I have them set up to form a small cave-like hiding spot in the far left of my tank (right near my filter intake).

I am worried this will soften my water too much to keep Africans? I plan on adding a large rock formation to the opposite side of my tank - and have 3 mid sized/small rocks in the center of the tank right now.

Will the rocks I add help harden the water enough to off-set the driftwood?

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.

With limestone and already starting with hardwater driftwood cannot lower the ph. My ph is over 8 and it goes down maybe .2 with a tank packed full of driftwood. So long as you do water changes regularly and have well buffered water it won't have a great impact. The only problem you do have is the driftwood staining the water brown. Doesn't look quite right in a hardwater cichlid tank.

Just use limestone for your rock formations. Make many caves, for the cichlids sake. The more african cichlids(for the most part) the more caves. Enjoy

Thanks all...I feel better about the purchase already I am so hyped up to get the fish - its crazy! But I am taking my time to get the aquascaping and water chemistry just right before I stock it.

So far, I had no water staining from the DW yet, but it has only been in there one night....how long after it has been in the tank can I expect it to effect the water colour?



72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.

Driftwood is very variable. Sometimes pieces will blacken a tank in a day and sometimes you won't notice color for weeks. Different wood releases more or less tannins. Also different wood seals faster. Some wood will stop releasing tannins within a few days and some takes months. You'll have to wait and see.

It may have already been submerged by your store's supplier.

Good luck.

Thanks again Sham and PK12.

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.