Low calcium issue

[BMan]

I need some suggestions on how to raise the level of calcium and keep it there.
I have a JBJ 28 HQI. Things are doing great but I think I see some negative changes in a few of the corals. I have been seeing the calcium level drop as the tank has matured. It’s consuming the calcium faster than I can add it using the ATO/lime water method. I am using pickling lime in my RO/DI top off water dosed with an ATO. The large vase in the picture is my ATO tank. It’s about 5 gallons when full. Last time I topped the ATO tank off, I used some vinegar in the Mixture in order to get more lime to dissolve. I didn’t see any increase using that method. Maybe I I didn’t use enough vinegar ? I am dosing baking soda mixed with RO/DI by hand a few ounces every day for alkalinity.
My readings are as follows:
Nitrate: 0
Calcium: 300
Alkalinity: 8.9
Magnesium: 1230
Phosphate: >.03
Temp: 80
pH: 8.2
Specific Gravity: 1.027

 

[ChrisOFL]

Any calcium supplement should help you raise it and keep it more stable. I use calcion from brightwell but there are numerous products on the market. I've been thinking of trying aquaforest calcium supplement as well.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm suspicious as I cannot see how it could get to the parameters that you have using just limewater. And there's no way to correct it with limewater. Alk will rise too much.

I'd double check the calcium with another kit, and if low, boost it with calcium chloride.

 

[BMan]

I'm suspicious as I cannot see how it could get to the parameters that you have using just limewater. And there's no way to correct it with limewater. Alk will rise too much.

I'd double check the calcium with another kit, and if low, boost it with calcium chloride.

Can you explain “get to parameters using just limewater”.

 

[BMan]

I test calcium and alkalinity with Salifert test kits.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can you explain “get to parameters using just limewater”.

Well, let's back up. What salt mix are you using?

You might get close using normal IO if you let alk and calcium fall, but most mixes cannot get to low calcium and normal alkalinity, regardless of how much limewater is added over time.

 

[BMan]

Okay. I stated I'm supplementing Alkalinity with baking soda/RODI water manually.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Oh, I missed that and I’d stop doing it without a balanced amount of calcium using a two part.

Boost the calcium using calcium chloride, then begin equal parts dosing of a two part in addition to the limewater.

 

[BMan]

Oh, I missed that and I’d stop doing it without a balanced amount of calcium using a two part.

Boost the calcium using calcium chloride, then begin equal parts dosing of a two part in addition to the limewater.

Do you recommend any particular two part product ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Not really. Most work fine. I'd personally use either my DIY (such as from BRS) or ESV-Bionic.