"Miracle"/ "refugium" mud...

[Chris]

Ok so I am not super new to the hobby (but certainly no pro), but I am new to having a sump/ fuge. With the new 180 I am looking to grow mangroves and other plants in my fuge (plan to keep my chaeto in my HOB aquafuge), and am trying to learn more about these products... Has anyone ever used/ considered using them? If so can you please tell me about them and your experience (or why you decided not to use them if you considered them). I am trying to decide if I should use these in my fuge, and if they will be of any help with mangroves/ other plants. Thanks in advance

[cg5071]

your hob fuge will need a light for the cheato. i had a basket of it in my tank and it didnt get enough light. it just slowly melted away.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by cg5071

your hob fuge will need a light for the cheato. i had a basket of it in my tank and it didnt get enough light. it just slowly melted away.

Ive been running it this way for 8 months without issue, it gets enough light from the kitchen lights or something

[cephalotus]

I use sand in my fuge the miracle mudd needs to be replaced periodicly.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I've considered it on several occasions, however, its cost/my cheapness has always kept me from doing it. Instead I've just used aragonite in my refugia (with my current situation being the exception... no substrate in the fuge.)

Tom

[Chris]

Originally Posted by cephalotus

I use sand in my fuge the miracle mudd needs to be replaced periodicly.

Thats what I was worried about...

Originally Posted by Tom@HaslettMI

I've considered it on several occasions, however, its cost/my cheapness has always kept me from doing it. Instead I've just used aragonite in my refugia (with my current situation being the exception... no substrate in the fuge.)

Tom

Yeah I am a fan of the cheapness as well, but if this stuff was worth it I was considering it.... sounds like I will just use sand too

[Poseidon]

In my opinion stick to sand. MM has a LOT of marketing hype behind it, but there was a test done a few years back, turns out it is just ancient sand...

I'll see if I can dig up the link.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

In my opinion stick to sand. MM has a LOT of marketing hype behind it, but there was a test done a few years back, turns out it is just ancient sand...

I'll see if I can dig up the link.

Yeah I figured it was probably just alot of hype, but was just kind of wondering if maybe it would be benefitial anyways.... especially to the mangroves and other plants/ algeas I am lookinig to do in the sump on the 180. But yeah I am just going to stick with the sand Mike, seems to be the #1 tried and true method I was just kind of wondering if the "added benefits" would be worthwhile.... doesn't seem like it.

If you feel like digging for the link, cool if not don't worry about it

[Manoj's Reef]

Originally Posted by cephalotus

I use sand in my fuge the miracle mudd needs to be replaced periodicly.

As Ryan put it , it does need to be changed every 6 months. If dont then they slowly start releasing silicates into your water column. I think you can do with out it.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Manoj's Reef

As Ryan put it , it does need to be changed every 6 months. If dont then they slowly start releasing silicates into your water column. I think you can do with out it.

Oh wow, didn't know about the silicates. Only thing I have read so far on it as to why they needed changed out was to replenish the nutrients... that definitely seals the deal there, thanks