Mineral mud/Miracle Mud

[Oceanblues]

I realize there's controversy over the use of these muds in the sump but I chose to do it anyway, since it won't hurt anything. My question though is how thick of a layer of sand do I put on top of the mud. I have about 2.5" and think it may be too much for the mud to be effective.

 

[SeedlessOne]

The mud is effective at nothing. It does nothing for your sump Im afraid.

 

[scubadan206]

Miracle mud is like a time release vitamin. I have heard you can put a layer of sand over it although I don't know how much. Contact the guy! I think it's better just to run it solo. It seems to need a lot of flow over it as well, so use the right combination of sump, overflow and other equipment. A small sump is rated to need over 1000gph which is more than many would recommend for a sump. He has a video where he compares four different tank setups at once. Get some more info and use your imagination.
Daniel.:wildone:

 

[stevef22]

Miracle mud is like a time release vitamin.

Agreed.... helps to replenish trace elements and such.

 

[scubadan206]

I use it, but as this is my first tank and all, I can't really say what effect it has.
I know that people whom I admire in this hobby would not start a tank without it.
Daniel. :wildone:

 

[toothybugs]

Miracle mud is like a time release vitamin. I have heard you can put a layer of sand over it although I don't know how much. Contact the guy! I think it's better just to run it solo. It seems to need a lot of flow over it as well, so use the right combination of sump, overflow and other equipment. A small sump is rated to need over 1000gph which is more than many would recommend for a sump. He has a video where he compares four different tank setups at once. Get some more info and use your imagination.
Daniel.:wildone:

What would stop you from setting up a powerhead in your sump to move water around for the appropriate flow?

 

[davocean]

I realize there's controversy over the use of these muds in the sump but I chose to do it anyway, since it won't hurt anything.

I disagree, it made my established tank a green film algae mess

 

[BeanMachine]

I used it for almost 2 years, didn't notice any benefits. It was messy, etc. And after not using it for another almost 3 years, my tank looks better than ever. I'm not saying that it's definitely from not running the mud, just an observation that after using it for so long then not, its not necessary. Regular water changes would accomplish more imo replenishing trace elements etc. **Also after using it I wouldn't want high flow going across it, I don't really see the point other than a potential mud cloud.

Another benefit of the mud is its density as it creates an anaerobic zone with less mud than say if you had a 6 to 8" deep sand bed , however a deep sand bed can accomplish the same thing without the huge mess every time you mess with something in your fuge, etc.

 

[tkeracer619]

Somehow I am supposed to believe the stuff that comes out of the bottom of a rock vat after curing a bunch of live rock is supposed to be like a vitamin for my reef? And what good is a multivitamin anyways other than peeing fluorescent yellow? Most are made from stuff we cannot even metabolize... and are sold in an unregulated unscientifically proven grey area where people are basically allowed to make unsubstantiated claims. Please, tell us what makes you think this is a vitamin for your reef?

What does this mud add to the water in regards to trace elements? Please enlighten us.

 

[Oceanblues]

Hey guys, the original post was not asking the effectiveness but rather the hight if the sand bed in top. If you want to make opinions on the effectiveness then start another post. It's a moot point, I already put it in the sump and I'm not going to take it out.

 

[tkeracer619]

Your question was answered in the first post.

We know you put it in your tank already and don't care if it works or not. We would rather someone stumbling across this not approach it with the same attitude.

 

[davocean]

It's an open discussion forum, I commented off your claim it won't harm anything, and I pointed out I think it can, cause you know what?
You are not the only person reading this.
We are all on here to share our experiences w/ others openly and publicly so others don't copy our mistakes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Why did you put any sand on top of it?

2.5" seems like an awful lot if the purpose is to just hold it down.

 

[Bent]

This has nothing to do with mud or anything...

But recent scientific studies have all but debunked the claims that vitamins are beneficial to your health.

Long term studies released this year show no correlation between vitamin use and rates of heart attack, stroke, or death.

 

[bif24701]

You should not have put sand on top of it, now you just have a deep bed "nutrient sink". I used MM but I don't know if it really did anything because I was a noob

 

[Oceanblues]

So is the consensus to remove it all together. I can drain the sump and get it out pretty easily.

 

[Oceanblues]

You have to put some sort of sand bed on top or it will be a gigantic mess of course.

 

[davocean]

You have to put some sort of sand bed on top or it will be a gigantic mess of course.

Not if you have proper flow in fuge.

 

[Oceanblues]

We do have lots of flow. Thanks. Your thoughts on the sand bed are also appreciated, 2" too much.

 

[d2mini]

This has nothing to do with mud or anything...

But recent scientific studies have all but debunked the claims that vitamins are beneficial to your health.

Long term studies released this year show no correlation between vitamin use and rates of heart attack, stroke, or death.

We've also been told since the 1950's that saturated fat is bad for us and soy/tofu is good for us. :headwalls: