Miracle Mud - Opinions?

[Jimbo327]

So there was a Miracle Mud booth at RAP, and Leng Sy was there, so it was nice to meet him. But I didn't get any because my sump space is fairly limited. And it was like $50 for 10lbs at the booth. He recommended 40 lbs for my tank....ouch.

But that got me thinking about Miracle Mud again.

Fast forward to the Socali Reefer Meetup this weekend at Seaside Aquatics scratch n' dent sale, and I guess Seaside was clearing out some Miracle Mud stock. I got like 30 lbs for like $30. I plan to only use 2-3 lbs at a time because of limited sump space.

Anyone use it? Does it screw with your elements since the claim is that it will release some trace? Opinions?

If nothing else, I guess it'll be more sand surface area for denitrification.

 

[bluemon]

So there was a Miracle Mud booth at RAP, and Leng Sy was there, so it was nice to meet him. But I didn't get any because my sump space is fairly limited. And it was like $50 for 10lbs at the booth.

But that got me thinking about Miracle Mud again.

Fast forward to the Socali Reefer Meetup this weekend at Seaside Aquatics scratch n' dent sale, and I guess Seaside was clearing out some Miracle Mud stock. I got like 30 lbs for like $30. I plan to only use 2-3 lbs at a time because of limited sump space.

Anyone use it? Does it screw with your elements since the claim is that it will release some trace? Opinions?

If nothing else, I guess it'll be more sand surface area for denitrification.

I saw those as well at the meetup but decided against it.

just afraid it might leech some heavy metals especially if the source isn’t 100% documented.

 

[Speaker73]

Thought about getting some myself but didn't pull the trigger. I sort of wish I did for a seagrass project I may do later in the year.

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[Jimbo327]

To be honest, it kind of looks like gravel dirt. I opened 3 packets (1 lb per packet) and placed it in my return chamber. Not ideal, but it's the only space I got left in the sump.

Wish me luck! LOL.

 

[Aquavida365]

I’ve used it for a long time. And I also occasionally dose it per tank.

 

[Tangerine Speedo]

Like I said at the meetup, I love the stuff. It is the Fiji mud that has magnetic particles in it. @jojoreefs uses the fiji stuff and he has a process to trap them before he uses it.
But again I feel it works for me. I noticed a positive result when I started using it. I have also not had any weird ICP tests, mostly low stuff that TM K-elements take care of.

 

[Tangerine Speedo]

To be honest, it kind of looks like gravel dirt. I opened 3 packets (1 lb per packet) and placed it in my return chamber. Not ideal, but it's the only space I got left in the sump.

Wish me luck! LOL. View attachment 128359

That's how I use it. But I used a media bag or a plastic anemone basket lined with roller filter paper. But I like the trays that we got because it's easy.

 

[Jimbo327]

Yeah, you convinced me to give it a shot.

Media bag is a good idea. And I also like the idea of maybe just dosing it. It kind of look like coarse sand, and since I already have a layer of sand with missing patches...maybe I'll just fill those spots in with this stuff.

 

[bakbay]

I’m perplexed as to what this product will do. That is — unless you’re planning to grow mangroves, curious why would want to use this product?

 

[Steve d]

Good luck jimbo…let us know how they work. I forgot to buy some from tom before I left. If they work I’ll trade you a nice frag rack for a couple of trays lol

 

[drexel]

I've used it in the past with no negative issues. I believe is releases trace amounts of elements over time, but I forget the elements, iron, manganese, etc? Just do an ICP down the road to see if anything has changed, but nothing bad should happen.

 

[JojosReef]

Yeah, I currently use Aquaforest "Life Source", which is mud collected for Fijian waters. It has magnetic basalt particles in it. Also lots of bristleworm eggs from what I can tell (could be any number of other eggs, too, who knows). That doesn't bother me, the magnetic stuff does. According to AF, it is harmless and will break down easily, not damaging your equipment. I call BS on that, but think the mud is great to use anyways--here's my process:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reminder-to-everyone-using-fiji-mud.1093420/

Simply mix it in with tank water in a small container, put a big ass magnet underneath it, mix it some more while the magnetic bits settle, then holding the magnet to the container, pour it into the powerheads. Boom! "Biodiversity", no magnetic bits.

I used to use the Walt Smith Fiji Mud, but you can't get it anymore. Was my favorite.

If you are aiming for trace element supplements and buffering over time, I think the miracle mud gives you that (without the biodiversity if you're averse to that sort of thing).

 

[dontavo27]

I used the Aqua Forest version, placed the total of about 3-4 pounds of mud in middle chamber of my AIO frag tank. I’ve noticed an improvement in growth, color, and overall health of the system, even some of my struggling corals have completely
“Settled” into my tank now, after months of looking
Lethargic

 

[pledosophy]

I ran a couple of systems with it in years back over 8-9 yerars. Leng used to own the store I went to when I started the hobby, and he was often at another store I used to hang out at back in the day.

The thing to remember is Miracle Mud is a system, not a product. If you just use the product and do not have results and blame the product, it is because you are not using the entire system. That system includes no skimmer for most people, a large refugium, large amounts of macro algae, preferably green grape caulerpera (which is no longer legal in CA), and no filter socks. Also no carbon, no GFO etc.

You are using the mud as a home base to build micro fauna, and it is important to not disrupt the feeding cycle.

After years of use I moved on from it. Personally I found that the large refugium combined with a protein skimmer and dosing proved to be more effective for me, especially in growing stony coral.

Before you dive into this, I would suggest you do some research and find some tanks that have been using this system for 5 years + and see if that is what you are going for. You can also do some research and find independent chemical analysis of the mud people have had tested and make sure that is what you are looking for.

 

[IvanW]

Thought about getting some myself but didn't pull the trigger. I sort of wish I did for a seagrass project I may do later in the year.

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I am sure that Tom would sell you some, just go in and talk to him, he is very amenable. What’s the worst that can happen…..he says no, but he won’t

 

[anthonys_aqua]

Yeah, you convinced me to give it a shot.

Media bag is a good idea. And I also like the idea of maybe just dosing it. It kind of look like coarse sand, and since I already have a layer of sand with missing patches...maybe I'll just fill those spots in with this stuff.

I believe CJs reef used to use this and would get tupperware and poke holes in the lid

 

[Smite]

I believe it does have some trace elements in it. That might be part of why the system included fast growing macro algae (use some iron and avoid algae growth in the tank) . I was doing ICP at the time, but my memory sucks. I think I recall seeing a bump in Iron mostly, but could be wrong. I didn't run it for very long, I believe I started doing RMS method around that time.