Advantages to having a substrate in the fuge?

[LJA]

I just converted my 10G sump into a fuge/sump and already have a 4-5 inch DSP of live aragonite in my display. I ordered mangroves, ulva, and cheato for the fuge and plan on having the mangroves on some egg crate suspended in the water column but was wondering if there would be any advantage to having a substrate in there for the other macros. I currently have no bristle worms in my display but if I got them should I put them in the fuge or would in the display be ok?

Also, whats the deal with mineral mud, waste of money or worth it for the money?

 

[ultimate125]

^

 

[johnmaloney]

i like mud substrates. better for getting down nitrates, (a deep sand bed reduce nitrates so there is a plus), and is great for growing macros. just put sand on top to keep it from clouding. bristle worms are nast and if they get too big they be pests. you can do without them so why get them... this is a matter of opinion i hate those things so take that advice with a grain of salt. But I have been doing mud substrate now, and my planted macros love them.

 

[cjilge]

I also already had a dsb in my 30gl sump and I have recently decided to turn it into a fuge as well. I ordered Crud from premium aquatics. it's cheaper, and full of cool live stuff. It seems to be working for me.