Yup Hydrogen is only found as H2 when unreacted with other elements. If the solution is acidic it's because of exess H+ ions (H2 is insoluble in water and so isn't acidic or basic), the solution will become less acidic with time as H+ is taken out of solution. Also acid/metal rections always form hydroxides not oxides, so if this was acid then you would have aluminium hydroxide forming and promptly disolving, not a protective coating of aluminium oxide. Also aluminium is so reactive that this corundum coating (this is the same stuff as saphire and high quality watch glass) forms within hours of Als exposure to air. Anodizing is just creating a thick coating.
Edward
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