BIG 3 IS OUTTA WHACK

I do water changes every other week in my 180. I currently use Reef Crystals from instant ocean to mix up fresh SW. I keep my calc around 450, mag around 1500, and alk around 11.
My parameters over the last 3 weeks have been calc 500+ Mag 1500+, alk 11. I'm not dosing anything, but why are my parameters going through the roof? This has gotta be from the salt, is there another salt I should try that would help balance my params from water changes from now on?

 

1.026 With a Refractometer

 

What kind of salt do you all use?

 

I use Salifert For everything. The last two water changes were Emergency WC because I had an ammonia spike of .25. I mixed my makeup water for only 3 hrs before adding to tank.
I would like to keep my Parameters at 450 calc, 1350-1400 mag, and around 8-10 for alk. I can't tell you the last time I dosed ANY of those 3. All I use is RC.... hm..?

 

I used the calibration solution that came with it.. The last time I calibrated it, or checked it was with my RO/DI water after filter changes and DI change. So i used that water of 0 tds/ppt to calibrate the refractometer. When i used that water, I read ZERO on the refractometer.. or 1. which ever way you look at it, the water was pure... this ok?

 

Yea, I use the tip on the syringe. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif I havent used the self check fluid that comes with the Salifert Alkalinity kit. I will have to do that. But honestly, i havent dosed alk calc or mag for months... Since November to be exact.. but there has been 4 water changes in there as well. 180 gallon tank, stocked pretty light right now, as far as corals..

 

I used the check solution that came with the alk salient kit. Supposed to be 6.7 dKH, and the kit reads 8.9. Big difference! Time to order new kits

 

I used the check solution that came with the alk salient kit. Supposed to be 6.7 dKH, and the kit reads 8.9. Big difference! Time to order new kits