Trying to wrap my head around fixing parameters and battling dinoflagellates.

Read various measures to kill the dinoflagellates. I have my own ideas taken from what I read. Black out tank, less food.. etc etc. I think the values are the root cause for it thriving. I believe it was introduced into the tank from fish or coral bought at a LFS since its happening to my tank and friends.

Friends setup - 110g, LED lights, reef, various fish, 100lbs LR/sand, small skimmer, no fuge.

Values taken
Temp 76
Nh3, NO2-, NO3-, P04 are all zero
pH 8.3
Ca 300
Mg 1000
Kh 110

Ca, Mg and Kh are all low. I want to raise Ca to `450, Mg ~1300 and Kh ~170.

I am trying to understand how to do that naturally. I prefer natural vs always having to dose the aquarium. I think chemicals are only a short term fix and does not address the root cause.

The next option I have been researching is adding socks with media. I just started investigating that so I am still unfamiliar with them. I think that would suffice considering I can buy in bulk, change out 1-3 months and will help maintain stability.


Any help, ideas, suggestions, methods, experience, stories.... anything will help.

Thanks!