Reef Saltwater Major Elements, I consider there to be 8 major elements and group these 8 elements at this level. Each of these is crucial for processes and utilization of other elements, but if you notice these are more focused on skeletal, less on biological support.

Discuss Ionic balance – target amounts and ratios are dependent on many factors. Environmental, husbandry, level of stock and what is stocked all factor in and influence where it will balance out. not so much a target amount as it is about keeping a ratio of all available as each is needed to be able to consume the other. If one is off, the desired effects can not happen.

• Boron is crucial for skeletal, biological, photosynthesis, metabolism, coloration, growth, used by all reef organisms and is above 1ppm.
• Bromine is crucial for coloration, development, growth, used by all reef organisms and is above 1ppm.
• Calcium is used in skeletal development, health, biological functions of corals, invertebrates, all reef organisms in seawater.
• Florine is crucial for skeletal development, coloration, growth, used by other reef organisms and is above 1ppm.
• Magnesium is crucial for maintaining alkalinity and calcium for skeletal development, health, biological functions, used by other reef organisms.
• Potassium one of the most important, I call it a major transition element as is it used across all process functions skeletal, biological, digestive, photosynthetic, growth, tissue repair, defense, by all reef organisms.
• Silicon has a crucial role in supporting the food chain for corals, is used by sponges and other reef organisms and is above 1ppm
• Strontium is crucial for skeletal development, coloration, growth, used by other reef organisms and is above 1ppm.

Each is discussed in detail in the following menu options and pages.

Discuss element dependencies and relationships to each other, when adding one need to add a complimentary element to work correctly.