Wild Collected Mud for Substrate?

[Dave Legacy]

Hi,

Here's my scenario. I'm setting up a 55G tank to grow some of my mangroves, seagrass, and house a mud-burrowing mantis shrimp. For the shrimp I must have a mud substrate for it's burrow as well as a 6" Deep Mud Bed. As we already know, mud products on the market are very expencive for large quantities. For this reason I'd either make my own synthetic mud blend, or collect it from Southern California Mudflats.

Sand grains may be too abbrasive for the particular species of mantis shrimp that I'd like to keep, which will make it particularly difficult to make my own sand. I'm curious about those of you that collect your own mud, what it's like to maintain a mud bed vs. a sand bed, and if I need to sterilize it and how... I'm sure there will be a huge die-off, right?

Maybe soak the mud in tapwater for couple of weeks? I almost forgot! This tank will be kept in the low 70Fs because the mantis is a sub-tropical species. If anyone can offer me some info I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks,
Dave

 

[sunfishh]

I say go for it. Its not like the fish, live rock, macros and live sand that we put in our tanks is not from the ocean.

 

[Mighty Dread]

Why don't you get some mud and set everything up minus the shrimp. Let it run with a plant or two for a while and test all the parameters everyday. If and when the water quality looks good AND stable - add the shrimp and the rest of your plants. That way there is little chance of losing any of your specimens. It's what I would do. Or just go probably the safest route and buy some mud that you KNOW is safe.

That sounds like a cool set-up, by the way!

 

[edwing206]

show us pics when its done please

 

[Samala]

When I collect mud I generally sterilize the bulk of it by heating it, or soaking in freshwater. Stir it up every few days to release some of the gases and dead or dying large invertebrates, which you can then remove. Maintaining a mud bed isnt for everyone. The slightest ruffle at the surface, if you dont cap with some aragonite or other sands, will cause a small silt storm.

I keep a small amount of mud alive, but under a week quarantine, to try to remove any unwanted pests (worms, snails and clams, generally). Keeping some of the bacteria alive is in line with my goals for the tank, you'll need to decide if its important to you to do the same.

Finally.. every time the mantis decides to do some construction on his burrow, or build a new one, you'll have another silt storm. The jawfish I've had drow me nuts with this.. but I didnt have a full blown mud bed at the time. Something just to consider.

>Sarah