i think i have a low Ph

Question
Hi, let me start off by telling u my info., i have a 38 gallon tank, two pieces of driftwood... on slighly large and its height is to the top of the tank and my other is a low flat piece running horizontally ( left to right )..... i have 2 cory cats, 2 barbs, 3 tetras, 2 loaches, and an algae eater ( which is very helpful )... all my fish range from a minimus size of an inch to about 3 inches... i have 2 fake plants... and air pump that i stuck under the coral to give some Oxygen to the take.... i have an emperor 400 and an emperor 240 ( small) i believe....  i checked my Ph one day just to take a look.. it was prob. a good 4 months that i havent done it.... and it was 6.0 which is the minimum Ph the fish i have can handle... the fish always hang out on the right side of the tank ( thats where the oygen pump is )... maybe thats significant...  i clean the water about 40 % taken out maybe 1 week to every 2 weeks...  i use Tetra color Tropical crisps and use Stress plus for a water conditioner...temperature is a constant 73-75 degrees ( i have a heater )...  i have noticed that my fish like to chase eachother or stay in one spot and hang out... they are not to swimfull if u understand... i believe that my Ph has something to do with it...  I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP WITH GETTING MY PH UP TO A SAFE LEVEL LIKE A 6.8 ( AROUND THERE ) AND NOT A LOUSY STRESSFUL 6.0.... I NEED TIPS OR THINGS TO GET OR DO TO GET THE PH UP AND ** KEEP IT UP ***..... PLEASE ANSWER THIS WITH THE MOST ADVICE AND KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN POSSIBLY HAVE IN YOUR BIG BRAIN.. LOL...  ** HELLPPPPP !!!!!! ****

Answer
Hello Mike:  The driftwood is lowering your pH... I would add about 1/2 pound of crushed coral to your tank and then test your pH the next day.  Repeat the process until you have reached the ideal pH for your tank.  Crushed coral gravel will help to raise the pH whereas things like driftwood, peat, etc lower pH.  hope this helps... dave