Fishless Cycle Stalled (low pH / KH)

Question
I am almost certain that my fishless cycle has stalled, since my nitrites dissapeared ammonia has stopped going down at any rate, and my nitrates have not increased (and if anything appear to have decreased). I am not sure of the reason but believe it to be because of low pH and KH in my well water.

I had originally added some baking soda to my tank to bump the pH a little in order to aid the cycle. But after about a week now of no activity, I checked the pH again and it has dropped back down to 6.0 (possibly lower). I also checked my tap water and this is 6.0 (or lower). I do not have a KH kit at the moment, but know that my water is very soft (pretty sure KH was 0 last time I tested it).

Is the combination of pH crash and low KH causing my cycle to stall? I have read various threads online about this problem, but what do I do to remedy this for the remainder of the fishless cycle? and more importantly for the longer term once fish are introduced.

I have 2 pieces of driftwood in the tank, considering the chances that they are lowering the pH is it advisable to remove them? and once the cycle is complete can I put them back? Should I carry out a large water change? (although I am not sure how effective this would be considering my tap water is low pH / low KH). Should I add some baking soda to bring the pH back up in the tank?

Clearly something has happened to the cycle, which makes me worry for when the cycle is complete. If nitrites are no longer present to convert ammonia because of low pH/KH, what is to stop them dissapearing when the tank is cycled and for ammonia to rise? I am guessing I need to buffer the water somehow after the cycle is complete, but if pH is lower than 6.0 out the tap, what can I do to raise it a little? (and I know that messing with pH is not a great idea).

This is really bugging me, I have this great 55G tank that I thought was almost done cycling (after nitrite spiked and hit 0 and nitrate started to appear) but its now looking like something is wrong, and I have no idea how to fix it, or how to maintain the bacteria in the long term once fish are introduced.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Ian:  The Driftwood has to go as it will continue to lower your pH.  Add one pound of coral gravel for each ten gallons of water and it will begin to raise your pH.  Stop using the baking soda to raise the pH... rapid changes in pH will kill fish and use of pH chemicals in all but the most dire situations is very bad for fish.  Nitrates do not truly convert ammonia as much as ammonia is broken down into nitrates.  your flex in pH and the baking soda probably killed off all of the beneficial bacteria which is what breaks down ammonia.  Add the coral gravel and or some limestone rocks and the pH will raise slowly... after you have put the coral gravel in the tank... about a week later.... take a sample of water to the aquarium where you buy fish and ask them to check just the pH and then ask them to check their pH ... if your pH and the stores pH are within .5 of each other then you can add a few fish. keep your eye on the pH though and make sure it is still increasing... you may add more coral gravel as needed... dave