Hello from France

Pomma · 2026-08-03T02:12:22-0400

Hi everyone,

Thomas here, from France. I have been reading the forum for a while and finally made an account.

Bit of an odd introduction: I do not keep a tank, my dad doe tho. I am a software developer and I got into this sideways, through ICP data. I got curious about the fact that every lab publishes results in its own format with its own reference ranges, and I have been digging into how they compare to each other. That rabbit hole turned out to be a lot deeper than I expected.

So I am mostly here to read and learn from people who actually run tanks. Thanks for having me.

revhtree · 2026-08-03T02:12:22-0400

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

FrugalReeferJon · 2026-08-03T04:11:22-0400

kevgib67 · 2026-08-03T05:55:59-0400

Welcome Thomas, glad you are here!

EnterName · 2026-08-03T06:10:45-0400

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

The target ranges are mostly decided by the laboratories themselves because there is no good data available for most parameters. We know their levels in natural coral reefs reasonably well, but they might change throughout the day and over the year. Additionally we found out that certain parameters are better kept above or below natural levels. Alkalinity (not a trace element but still a very important measure) for example is usually kept above natural levels. Most people do the same with nitrate and phosphate as well. For a while people tried to mimic the very low nutrient levels of the ocean but found that this could potentially trigger the growth of dinoflagellates which are really hard to get rid off sometimes. There are also trace elements that might not be required at all as they either have no biological role or are not taken up through the water but through food.