Quick Hypo question

[9fishers]

Terry or Beth....
I have set up my Hosp. Tank and am doing hypo. With the SG so low, is there any invert or bio material that I can add that 1.will survive and 2.help with the cycling? Tank was cycled for a month prior. Now nitrites are at .25. I did a 25% water change this a.m. but that didnt lower it significantly so I did another 25% tonight. Still light purple on the nitrite card.
Ammonia 0;PH8.2,didnt test nitrates, SG 1.009
Also, I am measuring SG with my plastic swing arm hydrometer. I know this isn't recommended but for now it's what I've got. What is the error of margin??? Say it reads 1.009 but the e.m is .002. Would it be better to drop SG to 1.007 just to be sure I've lowered it enough to rid the ich. What is the lowest SG a Clown and a Gramma can tolerate?
Thanks for your time,
Nicole

 

[9fishers]

^^^^^^^

 

[beth]

You can add a few cups of substrate from your main tank.
Also, there is no point to doing hypo with a swing arm hydrometer. There is no prediciting the error margin. Get a glass hydrometer which should be available at the LFS. Be sure to get on that will read lower SG and one which is temp calibrated.

 

[9fishers]

I'll look into a glass one.
But will the lower SG kill the beneficial micros. as well as the parasites?
Nicole