Help with Levels

[Sacohen]

Below are my levels from last week 3/9/13 and this week 3/17/13.

Date 3/9/2013 3/17/2013
Salinity 1.026 1.026
Amonia 0 ppm 0 ppm
Ph 7.8 7.8
Nitrites 0 ppm 0 ppm
Nitrates 0 ppm 0 ppm
Phosphates 0.03 ppm 0.08 ppm
Calcium 450 ppm 500 ppm
Alkalinity 9.0 dKH 9.8 dKH
Magnesium 1360 ppm 1440 ppm

I have not added anything to my tank in terms of trace elements, Liquid Calcium.
The only thing I did was a 10% water change on 3/10 with natural sea water from my LFS.

Would that be enough to raise my Calcium, Alk and Mag?
I know the Mag was at the high end of the suggested limited at 1360 so 1400 is not to good.

Any help is appreciated.

[MizTanks]

What test kits are you using? Are you using a Hydrometer or Refractometer? Your Mag isn't really that high. Any chances of testing your makeup water before adding it to your tank?

[Danroth]

Also, are you 'mixing' your salt; i.e., before you actually put salt into your new water, are you thoroughly shaking the bucket/bag, to distribute the contents? One of the things that can happen is that trace elements can all 'settle' in one area especially after sitting for so long, or traveling, and so you can get a large spike like that with a water change, if you haven't 'shaken it up' well enough.

Also, yes. Make certain you're using quality testing kits. A hydrometer is rarely reliable, you'll want to get a refractometer if you're not already using one.

[MizTanks]

He stated that he gets natural sea water from his LFS

[Danroth]

He stated that he gets natural sea water from his LFS

I suppose it helps if I read the entire post.

[MizTanks]

I suppose it helps if I read the entire post.

Lmao-thanks for the giggles 'twas much needed

[Sacohen]

What test kits are you using? Are you using a Hydrometer or Refractometer? Your Mag isn't really that high. Any chances of testing your makeup water before adding it to your tank?

Levels were tested with.

Salinity 1.026 via Deep Six Hydrometer
Amonia 0 ppm via API Master Test Kit
Ph 7.8 via API Master Test Kit
Nitrites 0 ppm via API Master Test Kit
Nitrates 0 ppm via API Master Test Kit
Phosphates 0.08 ppm via API Hannah Checker
Calcium 500 ppm via Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit (Ca,Alk,Mg)
Alkalinity 9.8 dKH via Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit (Ca,Alk,Mg)
Magnesium 1440 ppm via Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit (Ca,Alk,Mg)

I added some SeaChem Marine Buffer to raise the pH because 7.8 is too low.