FIJI MUD?

[Robb1821i]

I'm considering using fiji mud in my sump. Not miracle mud or mineral mud. This is the fiji mud from Walt Smith. Supposedly it's mud straight from the ocean in fiji.

I bought some but am not sure I want to use it.

Anybody here used it?

 

[Saltyreef]

Its all theoretically the same....mud full of marine microfauna

 

[Robb1821i]

Its all theoretically the same....mud full of marine microfauna

I know. I'm just trying to figure out if i want it in my tank.

I've read reviews where people love it but admit they aren't sure exactly what it's doing for them and reviews where people claim crazy algae breakouts after putting it it.

 

[Saltyreef]

I know. I'm just trying to figure out if i want it in my tank.

I've read reviews where people love it but admit they aren't sure exactly what it's doing for them and reviews where people claim crazy algae breakouts after putting it it.

Yea I would be taking those reviews with a grain of salt if they supposidly love it so much but have no clue what its doing for them lol.

Microfauna are an essential part of reef building blocks and if you dont have any, mud will benefit you.
If you have an established system with real live rock thats matured with lots of critters, likely the mud will be doing very little to add to your already robust biodiversity.

 

[Robb1821i]

Yea I would be taking those reviews with a grain of salt if they supposidly love it so much but have no clue what its doing for them lol.

Microfauna are an essential part of reef building blocks and if you dont have any, mud will benefit you.
If you have an established system with real live rock thats matured with lots of critters, likely the mud will be doing very little to add to your already robust biodiversity.

True. My tank is new but all liverock straight out of the ocean...probably not necessary

 

[Saltyreef]

True. My tank is new but all liverock straight out of the ocean...probably not necessary

The mud wouldnt hurt brother
And if you decide to use a refugium some rooting plants would appreciate the mud too. Dont forget to cap it in gravel!

 

[Robb1821i]

The mud wouldnt hurt brother
And if you decide to use a refugium some rooting plants would appreciate the mud too. Dont forget to cap it in gravel!

Tbh I'm a bit scared of having a algae or cyano outbreak as those are the negative some people have claimed.

 

[Saltyreef]

Tbh I'm a bit scared of having a algae or cyano outbreak as those are the negative some people have claimed.

Everyones tank is different.
Algae and cyano come with the territory of starting a reef, sometimes even come back later in a matured reef.
Gotta keep everything in check after they have their blooms. Imo if you have a nutrient export plan, the mud wouldnt hurt a bit.
If you arent exporting effiecently enough, excess nutrients could start to build up and cause these issues you hear about.

 

[Robb1821i]

Everyones tank is different.
Algae and cyano come with the territory of starting a reef, sometimes even come back later in a matured reef.
Gotta keep everything in check after they have their blooms. Imo if you have a nutrient export plan, the mud wouldnt hurt a bit.
If you arent exporting effiecently enough, excess nutrients could start to build up and cause these issues you hear about.

True.
So you suggest toping it woth gravel?

 

[Saltyreef]

True.
So you suggest toping it woth gravel?

Yea. Keeps the mud in the fuge
Like a layer of crushed coral would be perfect and then some larger pieces of liverock.

 

[Robb1821i]

Yea. Keeps the mud in the fuge
Like a layer of crushed coral would be perfect and then some larger pieces of liverock.

What if I have mangroves? Will the do the same?

 

[neonreef3d]

What if I have mangroves? Will the do the same?

you will need alot of mangroves for nutrient export. your better off using chaeto , mud is beneficial for trace elements and the micro bio-life that exists will help ultimately to mature your tank faster, offering life that is not found on rocks or sand.

 

[thedon986]

You can try some in a Tupperware container at first and see how you like it, and then transition out and cover with some sand.

 

[Robb1821i]

You can try some in a Tupperware container at first and see how you like it, and then transition out and cover with some sand.

I was planning to do tupperware anyway. Just to make things easier.

 

[Robb1821i]

Anybody know the shelf life for fiji mud?

 

[neonreef3d]

Anybody know the shelf life for fiji mud?

6 months i think.. if its wet

 

[Robb1821i]

You guys think special grade reef sand will work to cap it?

 

[Robb1821i]

you will need alot of mangroves for nutrient export. your better off using chaeto , mud is beneficial for trace elements and the micro bio-life that exists will help ultimately to mature your tank faster, offering life that is not found on rocks or sand.

I have chaeto too. Plan to have pom pom as well. The mangroves are more an experiment as I'm curious how much they will assist with co2/provide o2...also I like the look