Mud in the fuge..yes.or no

[Mike Goralski]

Im starting a new system with a fuge and want just chato in it ...so would it be beneficial to add a mud or sand substrate in the fuge or leave it empty..thank for any advice

 

[ebushrow]

I have always put crushed coral in my fuge....it gives me somewhere to anchor Macro if I want, as well as, mangroves.....I also like the additional biological filter and pH buffering....just my opinion though....I have always had terrible results when I add miracle mudd to the tank/fuge....nutrients went out of control and algae grew like crazy...just my experience...I had to completely break down the tank.

 

[Rjramos]

I have used MM for years with good results. Makes a home for worms and critters.

 

[MaiReef]

I separated LR rubble(place for worms, mini brittles, and pods) and then have a spot for macros without mud or sand. I vacuum out the debris once a month so sand or mud wouldn't work. I personally had a problem of chaeto dying after 3 years, but other macros are doing well.

To start, see how often you have to trim down the chaeto and what your parameters are as far as nitrates and phosphates. If they are good, I would wait until 6 months + when you add coral for a few months to see how they do. If doing well then you probably don't need the mud.

 

[Brew12]

I don't use mud but others swear by it. You could always add some in a plastic food storage container so it is easy to remove if you decide it isn't working for your.

 

[Mike Goralski]

Lot's of good input...i may try to put a mangrove in later ..if not miracle mud then what kind of substrate do they like to root in and how deep should it be..

 

[Brew12]

Lot's of good input...i may try to put a mangrove in later ..if not miracle mud then what kind of substrate do they like to root in and how deep should it be..

When it comes to mangroves (alert: I've never tried growing them) I don't believe the substrate matters that much. I've seen plenty of examples of mangrove refugiums with no substrate at all. I think, just like in a DT, that the substrate is really more for your enjoyment, not the plants.

 

[ehsheridan110]

I put miracle mud in my sump and in two days it was covered in red cyano algae[emoji24] it was expensive and I really don't see what all the fuss is about, I wish I never put it in there, it clouds up the tank if you disturb it even slightly. However I did notice a huge increase in pods about a month after I introduced it, don't know if it was a direct result or not. I would go with crushed coral and toss some rubble rock in there to make a nice home for pods! [emoji4] just my opinion

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

if its your first fuge go bare bottom. easier to clean out. I have a dsb in my fuge, bunch of different sand i mixed fiji mud in. Miracle mud IMO, you should follow the directions. its designed for a specific rooting calurpa. the ecosystem method.
A lot of different info on mangroves. Ive not gotten into them as there not proven to that beneficial, but I do think they like a substrate. Its how the grow in the wild for the most part.