Handling high pH levels

[easton]

Man, I tried all this stuff and my pH just laughed at me. Ended up switching to a sand substrate and it magically dropped to 7.4. No idea why, but I'll take it. Tank's a 29-gallon with Corys and Tetras.

Sand can sometimes buffer pH if it's inert, but that's weird it dropped. Maybe your old substrate was leaching something? Either way, glad it worked out.

[fusioncore]

Yeah, stability's the name of the game. I'd start with the driftwood and see where that gets you. Less hassle than messing with chemicals. Keep us posted on how it goes.