An ideal range is the low and high value Reefability compares each reading against, so you can see at a glance whether a parameter is where you want it. Every tank starts with Reefability's defaults, and you can set your own range for any parameter on any tank you own.
What ideal ranges do
Each reading is checked against its parameter's ideal range, and the status pill and colors on Home and in Chemistry show whether it is in range, high or low.
If you set your own range, Home and Chemistry color your readings by your range. Reefability's own analysis (your daily read, Reefer AI and alerts) still uses Reefability's range, and tells you when the two disagree. For example, it might say a reading is outside Reefability's range but inside the one you set.
Reefability's default ideal ranges
These are sensible starting points. Every reef settles on its own numbers, and stability matters more than hitting an exact value.
| Parameter | Default ideal range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 74 to 82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.025 to 1.027 SG (about 35 ppt) |
| pH | 7.9 to 8.4 |
| ORP | 250 to 450 mV |
| Calcium | 390 to 450 ppm |
| Alkalinity | 7.5 to 9.0 dKH |
| Magnesium | 1200 to 1450 ppm |
| Potassium | 380 to 430 ppm |
| Iodine | 0.05 to 0.08 ppm |
| Nitrate | 5 to 20 ppm |
| Phosphate | 0.05 to 0.20 ppm |
| Ammonia | 0 to 0.1 ppm |
| Nitrite | 0 to 1.5 ppm |
| Copper | 0.0003 to 0.003 ppm (a trace level, not a treatment level) |
| Silicate | 0.01 to 0.2 ppm |
Nitrite is far less of a concern in salt water than in fresh water.
Set your own range in Chemistry
- Open the Chemistry section for the tank you want to change.
- Find the parameter's card. Under the value is a line that reads Ideal with the range, followed by set your own.
- Tap that line. An editor opens under it.
- Use the Low and High steppers to set your range. Reefability's range stays visible underneath for reference.
- Tap Done.
The line now reads Your range with your values, followed by Reefability's range. Low has to be below high, or the app asks you to fix it before saving.
The range is saved in the unit you are viewing. If you switch the parameter to another unit later (for example dKH to meq/L), your range converts with it.
Set your own range from Home
You can also set ranges for all parameters in one place:
- On the Home Chemistry card, tap the ruler icon in the small toggle at the top of the card. The Parameters screen opens.
- Each parameter shows Ideal with Reefability's range and Set your own, or Your range and Edit if you already set one.
- Tap the line. In the Your ideal range for sheet, enter a low and a high value, low first.
- Tap Save range.
Go back to Reefability's range
Open the editor the same way and tap Use Reefability's range. Your own range for that parameter is removed and the default applies again.
Each tank has its own ranges
Ranges are saved per tank. A change on your display tank does not touch your frag tank, so you can keep a softie tank and an SPS tank on different numbers. Only the tank's owner can change its ranges.
Tip: base your range on what your tank has been stable at over several weeks, not on one reading.
If something does not work
- "Low has to be below high." Set the low value first, then raise the high value above it.
- "Could not save. Check your connection and try again." The app could not reach the server. Try again once you are online.
- Your daily read still calls a reading high. Expected: the analysis judges by Reefability's range and mentions yours.