Sorry... by "Down" I meant, understood. Once I understood the relationship between calium levels, PH and alkalinity, I was on my way to success.
I do use natural salt water, from the ocean, in the summer. I have a fishing boat and am often on wide open water (East of Martha's Vinyard, MA) fishing the canyons. I bring as many buckets as I can take, given the number of fishermen I bring on board. I let the water sit in 5 gallon buckets, in my basement, without light, heat, or water flow for a week or more. During that time, the water "settles out" and I can siphon off the better part of it and leave the sediments behind. I then use them, 10 gallons at a time, during water changes. The ONLY adjustment I have to make is that the calcium levels of the NSW up here in MA are low. I use my B-Ionics to get the water into shape and viola.
My corals love it. When I do the water changes, they open like you wouldn't believe. I never see that same reaction when I use store bought salts and made water.
It sounds like you got your levels up to par too. It'll take a little while before you see any real noticible difference, but I'm sure that on a micro level, your system is healthier for it already.
I got my Mg Test kit yesterday. Tank measures at 1030. I used the online calculator, I would need to add just over two pounds of Epsom salt or 32 oz of Kent Tech M. to get to 1400 The calculator says to mix with Epsom salt with RO water and slow add to tank. Any suggestions how much and how often to add? I kind of figured, that I would use the Epsom to get me up and them Tech M to maintain.
I think will also venture of to Reef Central and check out the suggested reading on Randy Holmes-Farley.
I agree David,I'm fortunate to live right next to the Atlantic.I take my boat out on the incoming tide just outside of Ponce Inlet to collect NSW.My LFS uses it exclusively and i've always had a favorable response from my corals when using it.Most of the time,I use it freshly collected but my LFS filters theirs through a 5 micron bag.I like to collect mostly during the winter because the water is clearer then.Of course winter here is only 40 at the worst and thats only for a couple weeks.The calcium level here is around 400ppm and the alk is usually 7-8dKH.
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I used the online calculator, I would need to add just over two pounds of Epsom salt or 32 oz of Kent Tech M. to get to 1400 
The calculator says to mix with Epsom salt with RO water and slow add to tank. Any suggestions how much and how often to add? I kind of figured, that I would use the Epsom to get me up and them Tech M to maintain.
