Miracle mud?

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm using miracle mud in this setup and it has been by far the best results I have had but I can't say what part is the biggest help I have a a.t.s and mud with skimmer I'm also getting more experienced in reef keeping all things are helping

All the above. IMO work.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I wonder what is the spectrum of that little light? By any account that C. Prolifera should be growing at an invasive rate. The thing with the mud is that you are wanting these algae to be getting the nutrition it takes for them to grow out of your water, not from your substrate.

Check out the ecosystems website. In a proper m mud system the macros are growing in the mud like wheat.
Lotsa video links to YouTube lotsa pics.
Both the owner and M Planette have good write ups.
The sub strait is just that. Similar to sand it's a place for Nitrification to take place. The mud only takes the nutrition out of the system the same way a sandbed does. It does contain minerals to but so does but so does Fiji mud. Natural seawater food and the common minerals that we dose. It's just a slow release vitamin dosing.

 

[dochow]

You don't think there are any micro-organisms in the miracle mud? Isn't it a lot like a CaribSea live sand? There has to be some sort of organisms inherent in the stuff

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

There doesnt have to be no. I dont recall if it was seeded. I know its dry. I am going by memory here. Did it say it was seeded?
There are no micro fauna though.(bacteria) AS i understood it. Its only a mineral treatment. Similar to freshwater planted and some approaches to decorative macro garden tanks. Its a sub trait.
Part of my decision to use Fiji mud was it is also a mineral treatment. And a lot cheaper. $10 The bonus is that it also contains naturally harvested bacteria, minerals and macro algaes. (corralines)

 

[Davileet]

I have used miracle mud in the past a few times. After upgrading to a larger tank and a larger sump, I found the mud a little hard to manage and got rid of it. The sump with sand and mud will become a nutrient sink and hard to clean without a huge mess in the long run. Once the mud goes in, if you stir it around it will muddy up your water really quickly. I now keep a bare bottom sump to make cleaning easier and no longer have a nutrient sink I cannot clean.

 

[chimmike]

you're not supposed to stir up sand beds in sumps/refugiums to begin with....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm not convinced that the mud does anything special except possibly release some trace metals (such as iron) which you can easily supplement yourself for a lot less money and have more control over the process.

 

[Davileet]

I have found that miracle mud does dissolve over time, so I think it must be leeching some minerals and such back into the water column over time. I also feel that it is a good filter compared to a deep sand bed because of how dense the mud is.

To leave your sand alone for long periods of time in your sump/refugium you are just asking for trouble. Nutrient sinks are a real thing and lead to a tank crashing. I have made strides to include as little as sand as possible into my reef tanks due to this, and I feel I have a much greater handle on nitrates.

 

[davidc]

Miracle mud has been around a long time and it has proven to be valuable in a refugium. Like any other living thing in your tank, the infauna in a refugium really need to fed in order to thrive, which in turn will keep the substrate from becoming a nutrient sink.
I personally never clean anything other than the glass in one.

 

[Rjramos]

I have been using Miracle Mud for years with great success. My recommendation is to follow the Ecosystem Method as it is intended to be used. Tank volume, refugium size and design, amount of mud, proper lighting(24 hrs) and last and important, proper flow rate through refugium. I also run skimmers with it although they say it is not necessary.