Miracle mud help

[Dtfnemo]

Hi guys. So miracle mud users, do you guys replace 50% of your mud every year?? Or every 6 months?? Is this really necessary??

I have had mud in my sump for about 7 or 8 months and I'm not sure if I really need to replace it or not. What would happen if you just let it sit there.

Thank you!

 

[Ashish Patel]

BUMP - I am about 60% convince on using miracle mud in my refugium so would like to know the answer to this ques

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi guys. So miracle mud users, do you guys replace 50% of your mud every year?? Or every 6 months?? Is this really necessary??

I have had mud in my sump for about 7 or 8 months and I'm not sure if I really need to replace it or not. What would happen if you just let it sit there.

Thank you!

Ive heard both. If you leave it it just becomes a deep sand bed. lots of bacteria and microfauna.

 

[dbl]

I have MM in my fuge and haven't touched it in the 3+ years it's been in there. I've enjoyed a lot of success with this tank but I have no way of knowing if the MM has had anything to do with it. I'm going to replace my sump sooner or later and do not intend to use MM this time around.

 

[Dtfnemo]

I have MM in my fuge and haven't touched it in the 3+ years it's been in there. I've enjoyed a lot of success with this tank but I have no way of knowing if the MM has had anything to do with it. I'm going to replace my sump sooner or later and do not intend to use MM this time around.

Good, any reason why you don't want to go with MM THIS time?

 

[dbl]

Good, any reason why you don't want to go with MM THIS time?

My intent is to simply use live rock in the fuge along with my chaeto, and maybe try some other algae types this time. All my research has been inconclusive as to the necessity of MM. I'm thinking I will enjoy the ability to clean the fuge compartment when and if I choose to.

Again, I'm not trying to be negative on the use of MM. As I said, my tank has done great with its use, I just can't say it's done great because of its use.

 

[Ashish Patel]

In my new build, iam considering using MM to control nutrients along with heavy skimming and some carbon, depending on phosphates levels will consider using GFO.. I am convinced in this hobby after many years of trial and error that you best bet is remove what you can through skimming and mechanical. leave the remainder to biological. Nutrients is build up by fish waste so keeping the fish population at bay will ensure their long term survival; aswell as your own. Trust me I've lost many fish from my own negligence and after pondering bio pellet reactors and zeovit system im sticking with the most fail safe options.. Hopefully I can share some outstanding coral shots later.

 

[Ashish Patel]

I do have a good compartment for refugium but I do plan on moving in a year or 2 so want the MM to be removable so pondering using some acrylic tray thats 4" deep with few inches of mudd..

 

[Ashish Patel]

The back compartment in my sump is the refugium section. I'll have some marine pure, algae, and MM.

 

[Fin]

Leng Sy (of EcoSystems / Miracle Mud) spoke at one of our club's meetings a couple of years ago. He recommends changing 50% of the mud each year. Here are the directions on how they recommend using the product. Also note the recommended amount of mud for each size aquarium and that the depth should be 1" to 1.5". Also note that they recommend a fairly high flow rate across the top of the refugium containing the mud. All of that information is in the tables on the web site.

Personally, I only use the mud in a small nano that I have and I am not having the best of luck with it. I am due to change 50% of the mud now. I am not planning on using it on my new system.

 

[Dtfnemo]

The former owner of my tank had just sand and rock inside the sump, he ran it successfully for a couple years.
When I got the tank we switched to MM in the sump and to be honest I think it's going great but I couldn't tell if it was just the MM because there was to many things that changed light, salt, all dosing and schedules.
I just don't know if replacing 50% of it is extremely necessary but I guess it's always better to follow directions

 

[Ashish Patel]

id assume the benefits of MM are in its chemical compositions.. For example, same concept as calcium reactor media -eventually it releases all the CA and needs to be replaced. Their are tons of essential elements and since everyones tanks have different bio loads, filters, etc it will varie on when ideally it should be chanced. Since the cost is not favorable I will chance it out when it become a nuisance in regards to detritus buildup.. For me I'd say 1-2 years is a good starting point, I am definatly not chancing it every 6 months are suggested but that could be a recommendation on Leng who does not use any other forms of filters.

 

[jlear3]

Wow, 1-2"¿! I have probably 4 inches in my little 5ish gal refugium. With a thin layer of substrate over it to stop it from dusting my whole dt. I've stopped feeding pods plankton and they're still multiplying like crazy. I thought a deep sand (or mud) bed helped plankton to reproduce naturally, therefore being more capable of constantly feeding the ever growing copepod population. Either way my aquarium is still young but just wanted to share my experience.

 

[Rjramos]

I have been using MM in my refugiums for about 18 years. I started MM and growing caulerpa due to an uncontrollable fight with GHA. The GHA in my display was gone within 2 months of starting. I do change 50% but I go beyond 1 Year, around 18 months. One thing I like to mention to people interested or inquiring about MM is that the best thing you can do is Follow Ecosystem and Leng Sy's instructions! If you wanna skim along with MM that's fine, I do, and find that it is beneficial especially with heavily stocked tanks. As far as refugium flow through pattern(in through the center water level and out through surface skimming weir), refugium size for the display, proper amount of MM, and proper lighting (I do 24/7 as recommended),follow ecosystems instructions! I have seen many people give up on it, for lack of success, and then find that the set up is not adequate. Not affiliated with Ecosytem, but a true believer and user of the method. Feel free to ask, that's how we learn in this great hobby![emoji4]

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

id assume the benefits of MM are in its chemical compositions.. For example, same concept as calcium reactor media -eventually it releases all the CA and needs to be replaced. Their are tons of essential elements and since everyones tanks have different bio loads, filters, etc it will varie on when ideally it should be chanced. Since the cost is not favorable I will chance it out when it become a nuisance in regards to detritus buildup.. For me I'd say 1-2 years is a good starting point, I am definatly not chancing it every 6 months are suggested but that could be a recommendation on Leng who does not use any other forms of filters.

It's all about the calurpa.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have been using MM in my refugiums for about 18 years. I started MM and growing caulerpa due to an uncontrollable fight with GHA. The GHA in my display was gone within 2 months of starting. I do change 50% but I go beyond 1 Year, around 18 months. One thing I like to mention to people interested or inquiring about MM is that the best thing you can do is Follow Ecosystem and Leng Sy's instructions! If you wanna skim along with MM that's fine, I do, and find that it is beneficial especially with heavily stocked tanks. As far as refugium flow through pattern(in through the center water level and out through surface skimming weir), refugium size for the display, proper amount of MM, and proper lighting (I do 24/7 as recommended),follow ecosystems instructions! I have seen many people give up on it, for lack of success, and then find that the set up is not adequate. Not affiliated with Ecosytem, but a true believer and user of the method. Feel free to ask, that's how we learn in this great hobby![emoji4]

First. Very cool and thanks.
I've looked at MM for years. But budget sent me to DSB and refugium instead.

Folks forget it's a system not an additive or another thing you can put in.

I belive from pouring over research that it was Mike paletta that they began adding the skimmer. Audaciously and awesomely, I think they called it the Paletta method.

And sorry auto correct heck with Mikes name.
lol

 

[Rjramos]

First. Very cool and thanks.
I've looked at MM for years. But budget sent me to DSB and refugium instead.

Folks forget it's a system not an additive or another thing you can put in.

I belive from pouring over research that it was Mike paletta that they began adding the skimmer. Audaciously and awesomely, I think they called it the Paletta method.

And sorry auto correct heck with Mikes name.
lol

I can understand, MM is pricey! I just add 2 part calcium and buffer to all my set ups, nothing else. My refugiums are teaming with microfauna and my systems are very passive allowing larvae to get through to the displays. Many add iron to supplement macro algae growth, I feel it's all in the mud already, so no need to. I had the pleasure to speak to Mike Paletta in MACNA, when it was down here in Miami about 3 yrs ago. That was exactly the subject, the addition of the skimmer to the method.! [emoji106]

 

[locito277]

I can understand, MM is pricey! I just add 2 part calcium and buffer to all my set ups, nothing else. My refugiums are teaming with microfauna and my systems are very passive allowing larvae to get through to the displays. Many add iron to supplement macro algae growth, I feel it's all in the mud already, so no need to. I had the pleasure to speak to Mike Paletta in MACNA, when it was down here in Miami about 3 yrs ago. That was exactly the subject, the addition of the skimmer to the method.! [emoji106]

I ran my MM by itself on my old
System and didn't really notice the need for the skimmer. I added one eventually as I figure a skimmer always does great things for your system