OK, the only sure-fire way is the one I was using. Trying to manipulate the native bbcode might work with the right syntax, but I can't figure out how to trigger a tag without having both the @username and the user id in the tag. If you change either it doesn't work.
@TudyBOT explain how a thoruim salt reactor works as though you are talking to a 13th century farmer. Use the style of Abraham Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address.