Refugium mineral mud?

[Brosiv474]

I am curious how many of you use mineral mud, or miracle mud in you refugiums? I just got my 6 foot sump in and am plumbing it to the basement. This is an astronomical expense to begin with. The addition of mud will also be considerably expensive and if its not necessary I think I will pass. I would like to maximize the benefits of the refugium however so I would like some opinions on how to do so. Will this benefit my reef chemistry more than a DSB? My lfs recommends the mud, but others say to go with a DSB and rock along with chaeto. Any help would be greatly appreciated as this project is about to kick off!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I personally do not see the benefit of expensive mud.

If you feel there are trace element such as iron that are beneficial, it is easy and cheap enough to add those in controlled amounts.

 

[Brosiv474]

I personally do not see the benefit of expensive mud.

If you feel there are trace element such as iron that are beneficial, it is easy and cheap enough to add those in controlled amounts.

Would you even recommend using a deep sand bed? Or would you rather go with just a rock and chaeto fuge?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Would you even recommend using a deep sand bed? Or would you rather go with just a rock and chaeto fuge?

I had a deep sand bed for years and decided that it wasn't doing much useful (or detrimental) so I removed it.

I presently use macroalgae, large rock filled refugia, organic carbon dosing (vinegar), GFO, GAC, and skimming.

 

[Brosiv474]

I had a deep sand bed for years and decided that it wasn't doing much useful (or detrimental) so I removed it.

I presently use macroalgae, large rock filled refugia, organic carbon dosing (vinegar), GFO, GAC, and skimming.

Thank you. The huge section of my new song is about 2 feet by 2 feet by 20 inches tall so I should have plenty of room to do the rock and chaeto.

 

[Brosiv474]

Fuge not huge...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If I was aiming for a low nutrient SPS tank, I might leave out the live rock from the refugia.

 

[Brosiv474]

If I was aiming for a low nutrient SPS tank, I might leave out the live rock from the refugia.

So you would go with chaeto only in the fuge area? If so, with it being the size it is (24×24"×20") am I wasting space?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So you would go with chaeto only in the fuge area? If so, with it being the size it is (24×24"×20") am I wasting space?

That can fit a good amount of macroalgae and is not, IMO too big. The more you have, the more effective it can be.

 

[Brosiv474]

Thank you and I will quit beating you with questions! This is my current tank (150). Trying to transition to mostly sps but the wife wont let me get rid of our giant leather!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If I was aiming for a low nutrient SPS tank, I might leave out the live rock from the refugia.

Hi Randy. Why is this?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thank you and I will quit beating you with questions! This is my current tank (150). Trying to transition to mostly sps but the wife wont let me get rid of our giant leather!

Yea Id keep that too. Ive been having good success so far with a mixed reef, SPS zoas toadstool etc by just adding light intensity and keeping good params. Not ultra low.

 

[Brosiv474]

Yea Id keep that too. Ive been having good success so far with a mixed reef, SPS zoas toadstool etc by just adding light intensity and keeping good params. Not ultra low.

Dont get me wrong, I love the thing too, it just creates shadows, and I am told the toxins they release make it difficult for sps. Maybe I can convince her to get a tank lol!!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I did seed my fuge and DSB with Fiji mud as minor bacterial seed mineral(maybe) and had great success as a source of other corraline algae. reds greens pinks.

And check on the toxins too. (its on my list) I have a very good friend with a VERY large yellow leather in his VERRY successful VERY sps tank. High light too.
And she already has a tank. Yours