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So I've removed the wood and boiled it like twice with one water change, and scrubbed it a bunch with a toothbrush. Not putting it in just yet, I'm getting new substrate tomorrow because it's been just sand so far. So wood's been out for a few hours now I did PH again today and I'd say it's between 6 and 6.5 now. Maybe it's removing the wood and the 20% water change that made the difference? As for KH, I happen to be getting home in the evenings, so it's very difficult for me to see the change from violet to yellow, so my readings might not be accurate at all. I'd say it's 2dKH? Also did a GH test for the first time ever, it's a 4dGH? 5dGH? either one Sorry for not exactly accurate results, as mentioned before, I'm working with artificial light here. and to answer @reefhugger, yes the wood used to be 1/4th of the tank! It's all removed for now though, and since I'm planning on scape rework I'll most likely get some wood cut so it doesn't take this much space

tw - fish death Well, unfortunately, this topic is no longer relevant, as yesterday when I was doing water tests I kept the aquarium cover open for a bit too long and didn't notice the loach jump out. Found it today all dried up and stuck to the carpet. This is my first fish death, so I'm still quite shaken by it. I'd like to think I gave him a good little life, but who knows really. Ehh, such is life. I suppose that settles the issue of kuhlis in a small tank, though. I'm gonna be looking into something smaller for cleanup crew then. I'm open to suggestions (snails are out of the question)

Thank you all for your insight! I'm going to do some wood boiling and redo the ph tests once I'm back from college today!

So I saved one guy, and he used to live his whole life with 400 guppies in a 300l tank. I want to help him feel more comfortable. I've got an 8g cube, there's not many hiding spots just yet but I'm working towards a bit of a rescape. I know he'll feel more comfortable once I've got some plants and more hardscape going, but I've also read up he'd do better with some buddies? How many should I get for him? I was thinking one or two new friends, but I'm worried I might overdo it and as I'm planning on getting some shrimp and tetras in the future I don't want to overstock the tank. What do you guys think? One more loach? Two? The tank is 30x30x35 cm Bonus photos of my little guy

nope, nothing of the sort! there wood was like 1/4th of the tank though

i'm using a ph test from sera! and i just tested kh with a tropical test, it's a 3 dkh, i'm pretty sure (i did the test a few times)

Hi! I'm new in the hobby, and I'm trying to figure out how to work with the PH! So, my tank is 30l/8gal. I had two pieces of honeycomb wood put in it after boiling it for an hour, and i did a fish in cycle (had to relocate some fish from my grandpa's old tank There's 6 guppies and one kuhli loach in it rn). The driftwood has dyed the water and lowered it to 5.5PH (my tap water was 7PH). I removed one of the wood pieces and did a 20% water change. I know the PH was lowered by the tannins from the wood, but I assumed having boiled my wood would've helped? I want to keep my water closer to neutral PH, since I'm planning adding other fish and some more plants. What's the best ways to raise the PH? I know there's chemical solutions, but wouldn't they be temporary? Will the driftwood stop dying the water eventually?