Beth does hyposalinity kill live sand?

[star fish1]

Beth, perhaps you remember my post from 7/12 on the royal gramma from last week. Well, as you predicted the royal gramma didn't make it. Tonight, I have noticed spots on my remaining fish. I would like to try hypo. However, I'm told that this has to be done precisely to work. You last asked me what I was using to test salinity. I have a plastice hydrometer. Is this sufficent?
Also, my PH was a little low a few days ago (8.0) Does this have any effect on the hypro procedure. I have since added a product formulated to raise PH. Please advise <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[beth]

Sorry about the fish loss. When lowering salinity, the pH also tends to lower, thus you will need to make additive adjustments to maintain proper pH for marine fish.
There’s been a good deal of discussion on our forum lately regarding using precise instruments to measure specific gravity/salinity, particularly in terms of hyposalinity treatment. I don’t know if you can get either a salinity monitor or a refractometer quickly, if you can, those 2 instruments [with the refract being the better] are the best for precise measurement of salinity levels...and you will need precision with hyposalinity. If you can get either of those, then get a good quality glass hydrometer [that will take readings in the lower salinity range]. Mail order purchases are pretty quick, so you could order either a refract or monitor if you can’t find one locally.
Hyposaline conditions does not kill nitrifying sandbed bacteria, however, if you have a DSB, there could be die-off of the non-bacterial infuana [worms, micro crustaceans, etc.] in the sandbed. You can only use hyposalinity treatment in a FO tank. There must not be any inverts or live rock in the tank where you plan to do this procedure.