Hi Les,

I have been a lurker on this group for a while now and am always impressed with
the patience and advice you give.

I was wondering if you might be able to offer an opinion regarding driftwood. I
have a small tank (only 3 gal) that has been stable for a few years but empty
other than plants for about six months. I recently moved and thought it was
time to add some fish into the tank but notice that the water is very yellow
brown (it has always been a bit but now looks like a weak tea) from the
driftwood which itself seems softer and crumbly to the touch. The PH is as low
as my test will indicate and I was worried if perhaps the PH is below the 6
reading which is the lowest that my kit will measure. Would this tank's PH be
too low or the water too soft/tanic to relocate some cories to ? Are there some
kits I should get to get an exact measure ? Also I don't think the discolored
water is a problem but is there some point were wood should be removed ? (I'd
hate to do so because this piece looks nice but it does seem to be degenerating
quicker). Amonia, Nitrites and Nitrates all read zero.

San Francisco PH from the tap is now around 8-9 so I keep water changes to a
small percentage.

Thanks much,

Hans