hi dallasite, i have been using the drink 3 times a day now for a very long time, i use between a 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of pickling water per drink, which is still not enough for the shoulder pain i have, so i take extra calcium tablets 1200mg with each drink, works very well, as moreless says, find out what works for you and keep doing it, moreless is not opposed to taking other calcium, he just tries to give you the best and least expensive way to do it. i don't up my pickling lime anymore because it makes the drink not as tasty, try different things to see what works, then keep doing it.