The Definitive Miracle Mud Thread

[mattsilvester]

I have posted similar threads to this before, all of which have been immediately draged down by nay-sayers.

I would like to try and establish for a fact if a tank can be run, long term, well stocked, without a skimmer, using this system alone. PLEASE â€"œ I would respectfully ask that unless you PERSONALLY have used it, DO NOT REPLY to this post.

In short, it would be a great reference for anyone thinking of using it it if those that have used it could answer the following brief questions:

1. Did you use the product in the way it was described that you should?

2. Briefly, how was your tank stocked, and how big was it i.e. 120 gal well stock sps reef / 240 gal FOWLR etc.

3.What were your results? i.e. good, bad, or otherwise.

4. If you are still using it, how long has your system been running, and have you had any problems?

5. If you have stopped using it, why?

6. Would you recommend using it?

Just to re-iterate, if you have not personally used the stuff, please do not reply. We all know that 90% of people THINK it is nonsense (I am possibly one of them) but we all know that 90% of people have NOT EVEN TRIED it. I am looking for definitive accounts of experience, not “my buddy used it and it was crap”.

Many thanks for reading.

 

[Subliminal]

Are you talking using mud in the display tank or mud in the fuge?

 

[mattsilvester]

For clarity - I am talking about the "ecosystem method" - that is using the ecosystem sump, with the recommended amount of mud - bioballs, lighting the lot...... and not supplemented by skimmers.... literally, the 'ecosystem method' exactly as described by Leng Sy & Co.

 

[old salty]

I ran it the "ecosystem" way when I first set up my tank. A few months later, I added a skimmer and was floored at how much clearer the water became. My tank has always been lightly stocked.

I recently removed the 30 lbs of mud after 18 months of use. I do not plan on putting any more in to replace the old stuff. It's too expensive and I'm really not sure it did anything other than give some pods and worms a place to live.

I'm sure you could keep a system going for a while using this method. I just so happened to veer off the ecosystem method after seeing how much better things looked each time I removed a component.

 

[token]

Once upon a time, I worked for a large chain of Pet Stores. We had one of the first installations of a DAS display (anybody remember when those were "revolutionary"?). The man who invented that system insisted that any problem we encountered with his system was our in-expert understanding of its maintenance.

The lesson I took away from that is that no one can package any product, or group of products, and insure my success.

That being said, I use Miracle Mud in my sump. It is isolated inside the sump (both to contain it and to restrict the flow over it) and its surface area is one quarter of my display's surface. I keep ~3" of it and it does "disappear", much like media does in a Calcium Reactor. I lose about a third of its volume every six months.

The display in question is primarily "softies".

The amazing difference to me is that that tank has a much richer diversity of encrusting algae. The coralline growth is much more noticeable too. My other tank is set up almost identically, components simply bigger to accomodate the different volumes, but the same manufacturers. Another noticeable difference is that I am able to "neglect" the tank with Miracle Mud to a greater degree.

Can I say that any of what I have noted is a function of Miracle Mud? "Definitely not," is my answer but I have made the decision to use it as I move both displays to my new home.

I know that is a not an answer to the question you posed but I do wish you luck with your endeavor!

 

[masher]

My experience with it is limited, but I have researched it extesively, my results are listed below.

1. I use the system almost as described, EcoSystem 2410 nock off sump ( I built it), bio balls first and last chamber, higer wattage power compact 10k lights on sump, I do deviate and run a Phos reactor.

2. 40 Breeder with light stocking 3 small fish plan to add more slowly

3. Great results, very brief episode of cyano in the sump with some light amount on the rock in the main tank, resolved with removal, and lowering tank temp 6 degrees

4. Tank very new running 6 months

5. No I have not stopped using it

6. Yes I would recomend this method as long as you stick to the main principles as described by the EcoSystem manufacturers

I too did a lot of research and found many people who shot this method down while never using it, I believe when used properly this system can function very well as other methods work also. I enjoy the quiet and natural reef it has given me, with no skimmer to tinker with. I hope this helps, sorry my experience is limited.

 

[iamwhatiam52]

I was sold en ecosystem, 180 gal, setup and used it like they say I should. Sps, lps, softies, 20 small fish, shrimp, basket star, tube anemone. First 9 months, no skimmer, no water changes. To make matters worse, I overstock and love to feed. No problems, but my parameters were awfull and corals lived but did not grow well. 2 part is only thing added.

Now I have a crummy little bermuda skimmer, change 10% every 3 or 4 weeks and have no self control when it comes to watching my babies eat. I have not changed half the mud as recomended.
I do not blow off my rock, rarely use filter socks, no water test for six months, I should be arrested for how I keep my tank. My parameters still stink, my sps grow slowly, but my fish are healthy, and my tank is one of the most interesting you will ever see, but NOT the most beautiful.

While I cannot claim complete success, I have definitely not failed.

I DO NOT SUGGEST ANY OF THIS IS DUE TO THE MIRICLE MUD, but something is working in spite of my sloppy husbandry.

I do not plan to press my luck much further. In the near future there will be a big basement sump, RO/DI system, calcium reactor, auto topoff and a big skimmer.

Flame me, I deserve it.