Raising calcium levels?....Help!!

My calcium levels seem to be a little lower than I would like them to be at 360-380 ppm. I would rather them be up around 430-450 ppm or higher. I dont have too many SPS corals but a few LPS. I just started dripping Mrs. wages pickeling lime (limewater) but didn't seem to see any raise in the calcium level but a little in my alkalinity. I mixed 1 gallon of water with 1 1/2 tsp. of pickeling lime. Should I be mixing a higher concentration?

My tanks param. are as follows:
72 gallon bowfront
4 fish
7 LPS
4 very small SPS

Nitrates- 0
Calcium- 360-380 ppm
Alkalinity- 9 (dKH after dripping the first night)
pH- 7.89 at night 8.14 during mid day

Also is it possible for me to instead dose straight up calcium as I have a bottle of kent liquid calcium. If i mix it at a high concentration and drip it in would this help or would limewater be better?

 

kalk is more for maintaining your calk levels not really for raising it because it would take allot to raise it .

use the kent to raise it then use the kalk to maintain it where its at.

 

I agree with Horton. Unless you use kalk with acetic acid, it would be tough to raise the Ca quite abit without also affecting the pH and alkalinity.
Kents Turbo Calcium(anhydrous CaCl2) works really well also. Better so and cheaper than the liquid.

What salt do you use? Instant Ocean?

Happy reefing!

 

You will also need to get your Mag up in the 1200 to 1400 range if you want your Ca to be that high.

 

Ya I am using instant ocean salt. Should I be using different salt? Also has anyone tried the calcio-p powder form by brightwell aquatics? It is supposed to help raise calcium levels in the tank and was wondering if anyone had any experience with it?

 

I have never used the Brightwell stuff but have heard good feedback. I guess they have very good customer service, if the place you buy their product from can't answer your question call Brightwell and they will help you.

Have you tried the anhydrous CaCl2 yet?

Happy reefing!

 

360 - 380 for calcium is good. I wood leave it their and keep the alk at 9. If you raise calcium much higher your alk will only lower probably to 7-8

 

So you are recommending that they keep the Ca at 360-380... 60-40ppm less the NSW and about 100ppm lower than most SPS keepers maintain their Ca at.?
I can tell you this my tank would not be happy if my Ca was that low and my pieces are all less than a half year old!

I would at least shoot for NSW levels of you main three....

Happy reefing!

 

Gotta have the magnesium in range to maintain calcium. If you arent checking it then you are wasting calcium.