Miracle Mud

[marcoz]

does anyone use 'miracle mud'? If so can you please explain the advantages of it as I am thinking of getting some for my sump :?

[Tetley]

Hi,

like you I am thinking about this for my next project, so looking forward to some feedback on this one.

I have seen a system that is running using this at my 'not so lfs', and would would say its very nice indeed.

Ian

[Gillybaby]

We have mineral mud in our sump. Similar stuff to miracle mud only a lot cheaper.

TBH I'm not too happy with it. Its been in for a year now and the water is always a browny yellow with bits floating in it which we assume is the mud influence (at least that's what we've been told). Even using ozone the water isn't clearing. As half the mud needs to be replaced every year or so, we are thinking of replacing it with a DSB instead.

Don't get me wrong, it does a great job - the algae grows like nothing on earth and we have never had nitrates over 10. Its just I personally would prefer clearer water.

JMO though, I'd be interested to hear the experiences of others using miracle/mineral mud though.

[Dons1903]

This is of interest to me too as I would like to set up a refugium in a sump in my next tank.

[marcoz]

We have mineral mud in our sump. Similar stuff to miracle mud only a lot cheaper.

Thanks for the feedback gillybaby - Do you think the colouring might have something to do with buying a cheaper product? Will 'miracle mud' have the same side-effect?

[marcoz]

After some research, if miracle does all it claims to, it seems like the cheaper more efficient option. Ok, you need to replace it once a year but I've worked that out to be £50 (ebay), which is a lot cheaper than buying additives all year round. As long as the water doesn't go yellow!! :worried: Any thoughts?

[Gillybaby]

Thanks for the feedback gillybaby - Do you think the colouring might have something to do with buying a cheaper product? Will 'miracle mud' have the same side-effect?

I've heard reports of similar colouring with miracle mud so I don't think it matters but as I've not used it I couldn't say for sure. Most seem to be able to fix the problem by using ozone or carbon. Unfortunately, neither seems to have had much of an effect for us.

[marcoz]

Ok, thanks. I checked out your site, great layout and quality pics! Do you have any tips or know of any sites worth visiting for someone interested in setting up their own website?

[Dons1903]

Marco,

Are you looking for somewhere to host a site or are you looking to learn how to make sites?

If it is just hosting then you should have some free web space from your ISP that you can use.

If you are looking to add a domain name you should try (www.lcn.biz) and then point it to your free web space.

If you are looking for hosting then try (www.streamline.net) who can provide cheap space with a free domain name.

[Gillybaby]

Hey Marco, thanks for the comments on the site. Dons1903 has given you some pointers on the bits I don't know much about, ie the techy side of things. Must admit my b/f set up my domain etc for me and rents his own webspace which I have used a part of. He thinks its fun to mess about with this kind of thing :-?

As to the actual site, I created it using a Mambo template. All editing etc is done online instead of with the likes of Dreamweaver or Frontpage. Makes for a very professional looking webpage without needing any knowledge of writing in HTML. Suits me fine, I tried that with my old site and couldn't get my head round it. If you do a search for Mambo in google you will come across loads of information and sites as well as many free templates to download and try once you get a domain set up.

Then the fun begins :wink:

[Paul P.]

Gillybaby

have you got anything else over the m/mud to hold it down ?

ive got a 1.5" layer of fine sand and a 1.5" layer of coral gravel over my 1.5" mud bed so the m/mud is already incorporated into a sort of hybrid dsb and ive had no probs with yellow water or nitrates

[Gillybaby]

Hi Paul, yes and no. We have a 1.5-2" layer of coral sand on top to hold the mud down. The instructions on the mineral mud said a 1" layer of sand so we thought we'd go a bit more. Doesn't seem to have helped.

Might try adding a layer of coral gravel first before we do away with the mud. Thanks for the idea.

[marcoz]

thanks dons and gilly that certainly gives me plenty to get started with :-D

[DC110770]

Hi

My dad has tried this set up in his 5x2x2 tank. It was ok to be honest but was not 100%. He seemed to get alot of slime algae and could not get rid of it?

However he now has a V2 skimmer which is in the sump and it has cleared up and the tank is looking better.

I have seen interfish have a natural set up and it looks fantastic! but they are at the shop 8 hours a day, everyday so for people who work it might be best just to use a skimmer?

[Macca]

If you are very busy at work etc and only have certain time you can spend with your reef tank then in my opinion you should always have a protein skimmer.

If there is something wrong in your tank (dead fish behind a rock) the protein skimmer will indicate this by producing excess foam (protein).

You will more than likely notice this and then know that your setup has a problem. If you did not have a protein skimmer then this protein that is gathering in your system will produce an ammonia spike and this can be deadly to all life within your tank.

Miracle Mud IMHO is great for keeping everything in check as long as nothing goes seriously wrong. So if you are on top of your reef tank then I would certainly give it a go myself. If you work long hours and can neglect your tank from time to time then I would say it is a big NO NO.

Other reefers experience welcome as this is just my views. Never actually used Miracle Mud as yet.

James

[marcoz]

I've just changed my substrate over so once things have settled I'm gonna try it out in the sump. I'll keep you posted as to how it works(or doesn't!) out :wink:

[liquidlogic]

i wish i had a sump and a drilled tank so i could have a massive MM system :cry: