Refugium build opinions

[Reef Junky150]

I am adding a refugium to my system in my sump room and want to here thoughts on miracle mud vs sand. It's in up and running just need the goods. Is miracle mud really what is advertised?

 

[hatfielj]

Skip the sand, just grow algae and sponges. Sand just traps detritus.

 

[Reef Junky150]

Thought about that too. Shouldn't be to much in the way with filter sock from dt to sump correct?

 

[Reef Junky150]

So I'm stuck between bare bottom, dsb, or miracle mud. Then comes the later debate of what else to put in. Cheato macro etc etc

 

[KJAG]

I would check out the Miracle Mud vs Walt Smith Fiji Mud threads out there. Ive heard arguments presented that the former is simply packaged dirt you would find at a nearby construction zone, whereas the latter is actual sediment from the ocean floor of Fiji. I have seen a couple well respected reefers swear by Fiji Mud, however Ive never used it, and remain unconvinced its beneficial. Willing to entertain the possibility that it could be however. Personally if I were to ever run a tank with a " Mud" it would be Walt Smith's, and i would have it remotely plumbed so I could easily DC it if I wasnt digging the results.

 

[Reef Junky150]

Interesting, yes the refugium is separately plumbed as you can see in first post pictures. More I read about it and it's messiness a dsb sounds easier to maintain. Decisions decisions

 

[jgraz]

How big is the refugium and the system it will be run on? Depending on the size it may not be worth bothering with sand and just running macro.

I have a 65gal tank for my fuge/DSP. Footprint is 36"x18". I'm running a 4"-5" DSP in there with some LR and macro. It's only been running since Feb. That supplies my 180 DT, and does a **** fine job.

 

[Reef Junky150]

150dt 70gal sump 15gal fuge

 

[jt17]

It helps if you know what macros you want also. If you want caleurpa or other rhizomatous species then it helps to have some substrate for them to grow in. If your looking at tumblers like codiaum or dragons tongue or chaeto then the substrate isn't as important. I run a shallow sand bed in mine because I wanted something for the plants to root into. I am slowly removing the caulerpa because it grows into the other macros and becomes too dense. I like the dragons tongue spinning around in my fuge. I also went with the shallow sand for different worms and CUC members and I was afraid of the DSB and all the horror stories. I also in vinegar so I don't have issues with nitrates and didn't need the added benthic zone.

 

[Reef Junky150]

With the addition of a ats I don't know if anything will survive in refugium or not so added a couple samples from a friend to see what happens. If it does not survive thrive I will keep live sand and ruble add a led fixture matching dt and make it my frag tank.

 

[Tank.Bro!]

Miracle my is great but you have to know how to use to the fullest. It can be a pain or be a savior but wait hot or you'll get great pull outs of phosphates and nitrates. Just make sure you etch some videos for miracle mud setups.

 

[Tank.Bro!]

Omg my spelling what the?

 

[Reef Junky150]

Wow, auto correct went crazy or something. I've ditched the mm and using ls instead as I feel from a little research the cons out way the pros for me.

 

[EW_Fish]

Bare bottom / cheato / filter socks is what I would do. But that ATS should be enough once it kicks in

 

[heathd.hd]

Bare bottom / cheato / filter socks is what I would do. But that ATS should be enough once it kicks in

+1 on this

 

[Reef Junky150]

Bare bottom / cheato / filter socks is what I would do. But that ATS should be enough once it kicks in

If it wipes out plants in fuge I'm going to use it as frag tank most likely.

 

[Reef Junky150]

So here is the final product. I have live sand, rubble rock in second chamber and my ever growing ball of cheato in the first chamber. One little ph sucking water from left chamber and directed through hole to first chamber keeping the ball turning and adding flow since it is low flow in and out of fuge.