A community reef research project
The Paletta Coral Growth & Color Research Project
Powered by ReefMind.ai
Mike Paletta and ReefMind.ai are comparing coral photos with ICP chemistry, PAR, coral identity, and tank context across successful home reefs. The goal is to discover repeatable patterns associated with exceptional coral color and health.
What this is: a way to help build evidence and see project findings as they become available. Early findings are correlations—not dosing instructions or individual tank analysis.
What we hope to learn
No single number explains a thriving coral. By studying many established home reefs together, we can look for combinations that recur across tanks—not just isolated anecdotes.
- Appearance over timeHow color, growth, and visible health line up with the surrounding evidence.
- Chemistry and lightWhich ICP and PAR ranges commonly appear alongside successful corals.
- Context that mattersWhether coral identity, system age, husbandry, equipment, or other tank details change the pattern.
What to send
Unknown coral names, PAR, photo dates, sample dates, or ICP providers do not block participation. Send what you know.
- Original coral photosUp to five images showing corals at their best. Do not send screenshots when the original is available.
- Photo contextPhoto date or dates, coral names or descriptions, and PAR at the coral when known.
- Matching ICP reportsOne or more reports taken near the photo dates, plus sample date and provider when known.
- Your reef systemA useful tank description: age, volume, lighting, filtration, husbandry, dosing, and anything else that helps explain the environment.
Prefer email?
Send everything to palettaresearch@reefmind.ai. Use the checklist so the files can be matched correctly.
Start a checklist email- Full name and reply email
- Up to 5 original coral photos
- Photo date(s), if known
- Coral names or descriptions
- PAR at each coral, if known
- Tank or system description
- Matching ICP report(s), if available
- ICP sample date(s) and provider(s), if known
- A written data-use line: “I agree my submission and files may be used for this research.”
- Optional and separate: a “Public photo sharing (optional):” line only if you also allow public sharing of your photos — otherwise photos stay private
A note from Mike Paletta
I have no financial ties with ReefMind. I am helping so we can establish a better understanding of what factors are important, and start using AI for the good of the hobby.
— Mike Paletta