Looking for someone highly experienced!

[chase thompson]

I’ve had my tank running since June of 2025. I have a zoa and euphyilla dominate 90 gallon tank. I have crazy water parameters. Even with a fresh batch of salt. Either way I know I need to dose, and I’ve been playing around with it.

Long story short
KH 14.7
Mag 1150
Cal 420

Everything else is where it’s suppose to be.
It takes en entire 500-1000 mill bottle to change mag +150-200. Then a week later back down do 1150. I know this isn’t normal. I bought an all for reef to start using but I don’t want my alk to go any higher than what it is. obviously I want it way lower! Any research I do just sends me down a rabbit hole and I end up blowing money on products that ain’t cutting it.

Is there someone I can talk to on the phone and go more in depth with my issues and get some advise? Or recommended store?
Maybe someone who does this as a career?

 

[56longroof]

I had the same issue with magnesium. I switched to BRS 2 part and have alot better results. How often are you dosing the mag? I have to dose it daily. What salt are you using? Some are high in alk and your tank sounds like it has a low demand. Its not getting used up much before you add more via waterchange.

 

[Shirak]

First question would be what salt are you using and how are you testing salinity?
Next question, which test kits are you using? Mg test kits are notoriously bad at measuring actual value.

 

[Shirak]

All you ever wanted to know about Mg and testing etc.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/just-say-no-to-magnesium-testing-rmm-is-born.1017528/

 

[chase thompson]

First question would be what salt are you using and how are you testing salinity?
Next question, which test kits are you using? Mg test kits are notoriously bad at measuring actual value.

I’ve gone tried reef crystals, Red Sea blue bucket, and salinity. I use a refractometer

 

[ReefGeezer]

Maybe I'm missing something. Are you referencing dKh in your alkalinity measurement? If so, I would stop dosing for a minute and get alkalinity in order. First, try another test kit. If the measurement is correct, a little acid can drop the alkalinity back into a reasonable range (7-11 ish dKh).

 

[Shirak]

I’ve gone tried reef crystals, Red Sea blue bucket, and salinity. I use a refractometer

Reef crystals has a very high alk. Sounds like you don't have a ton of stony corals? Probably shouldn't be dosing anything for alk. Your Ca level is fine. You have been adding something for Mg? What product and what test kit?

Are you calibrating your refractometer? If so are you using RODI, which would give you an incorrect reading when testing your salt water?

How are the corals currently? Are they healthy and growing? Are you worried about numbers because of the numbers or because the corals are not well?