Ecosystem Filtration?

[Rockster2599]

Hi All,
I left the hobby for a few years some time ago and before I left Ecosystem Filtration (Miracle mud) was being talked about a lot.
Now Im back not many people seem to be talking about this method, in fact not many stockists in my area sell the mud any more. Why is that, were any disadvantages discovered?
FYI Im a Berlin kind of guy so im not going to get upset either way.

 

[TimeConsumer]

An analysis of Miracle Mud was done by Inland Reef, I don't want to link to another website outside RC, but here's a general conclusion of the study:

"The analysis indicates that Miracle Mud is 30% silicon. This mostly likely exists in Miracle Mud as silicon dioxide, which is found in nature as quartz. As pointed out by Randy Holmes-Farley [a contributing author to Advanced Aquarist ], the molecular weight of silicon makes up less than half the molecular weight of silicon dioxide. So if the silicon present is all in the form of silicon dioxide, Miracle Mud is more than 63% quartz."

Basically, miracle mud is mostly quartz sand, the rest containing a lot of iron, calcium, aluminum, sodium, nothing very special.

 

[keithhays]

Its not my cup of tea, but if you do a google search for "mike paletta reef tank", you will find that he has great success with the method over many years.

 

[tom obrecht]

I used the mud system years ago when the mud system was cutting edge and miraculous!:lmao: Did it work? For me yes! I had an algae issue that I worked on for many months without success. Once installing the mud system within 3 weeks had just about erradicated the issue. LPS corals went crazy and everything worked well for 6-8 months. After that time frame the results leveled out and things ready didn't have the same gusto that it did in the beginning. I changed out mud ect but the tank never thrived like it did initially. As time went on I think the equipment and knowledge improved in the hobby and the mud sysytem went to the wayside. I think most people who still use miracle mud probably use it in a refugium setting and not as the main filtration method. I persoanlly feel it is unnecessary although I still use it in my own fuge. Not sure why but I'm always looking for a "miracle" in my tank!:ape:

 

[Rockster2599]

Thanks,:thumbsup:
Do you think there is anything to the claims that you can keep a heavier fish load without compromisisng water quality?
When I eventually upgrade Im looking for a way of feeding planktonic feeders such as anthias so the fuge part of it has its appeal.

 

[moondoggy4]

If you guys are ever in So Cal near Mission Viego his shop is there and he has 4 test tanks side by side, showing the berlin system, modified berlin system somebody else's mud and the miracle mud system, exact same corals exact same fish. It is a nice hour or so to spend, PS it is around the corner for Reef Dynamics.

 

[Rockster2599]

If you guys are ever in So Cal near Mission Viego his shop is there and he has 4 test tanks side by side, showing the berlin system, modified berlin system somebody else's mud and the miracle mud system, exact same corals exact same fish. It is a nice hour or so to spend, PS it is around the corner for Reef Dynamics.

O.K. So which looks best to you?

 

[tom obrecht]

Thanks,:thumbsup:
Do you think there is anything to the claims that you can keep a heavier fish load without compromisisng water quality?
When I eventually upgrade Im looking for a way of feeding planktonic feeders such as anthias so the fuge part of it has its appeal.

Well, honestly I would be skeptical to house a HEAVY fish load on an ecosystem only filter. I personally would feel more confident with properly sized skimmer in the sump and a nice sized fuge with MM as the fuge's substrate. I ran a 260 display with roughly 60-65 fish, most of which were anthias, and don't think there would be a way an Ecosystem filtration could maintain that type of load on its own. I think unless your fish load is low to average a skimmer is a necessity. When dealing with heavy feeding fish like anthias I think you need some aggressive nutrient removal methods.

 

[Rockster2599]

Well, honestly I would be skeptical to house a HEAVY fish load on an ecosystem only filter. I personally would feel more confident with properly sized skimmer in the sump and a nice sized fuge with MM as the fuge's substrate. I ran a 260 display with roughly 60-65 fish, most of which were anthias, and don't think there would be a way an Ecosystem filtration could maintain that type of load on its own. I think unless your fish load is low to average a skimmer is a necessity. When dealing with heavy feeding fish like anthias I think you need some aggressive nutrient removal methods.

Thanks Tom,
You have confirmed what I was thinking.
That's great!

 

[moondoggy4]

I do the berlin system as will, the eco-system is too expensive for me, lots of people use refigiums and so adding the miracle mud would not be a difficult thing to do. They are selling a new product that utilizes and small container with the mud inside, easy to use.

 

[TimeConsumer]

Thanks,:thumbsup:
Do you think there is anything to the claims that you can keep a heavier fish load without compromisisng water quality?
When I eventually upgrade Im looking for a way of feeding planktonic feeders such as anthias so the fuge part of it has its appeal.

A properly setup algae scrubber can handle quite a bit of bioload and keep nutrients down.

 

[Rockster2599]

Thanks all