Refugium. Miracle Mud, Marine Pure Block or Both?

[NervousReefer]

Nervous Reefer here, as a beginner in this hobby I've been studying and researching like I'm back in school. My question today is, for a refugium should i go miracle mud, marine pure block or both? I've heard great things about miracle mud and maybe 50/50 on the marine pure block. Some love it, some hate it.

What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

 

[Auquanut]

Don't know much about the miracle mud. I've never used it. Some people swear by it, and some say it's just a pain. I have marine pure balls under my chaeto. I've also got a small power head in the fuge, which seems to help considerably with the chaeto growth. Seems like the added flow with miracle mud might stir it up. Most people who use miracle mud suggest putting it in a separate container within the fuge to make it easier and less messy to change out. Do you plan to use chaeto, mangrove, or some other macro algae?

 

[NervousReefer]

Don't know much about the miracle mud. I've never used it. Some people swear by it, and some say it's just a pain. I have marine pure balls under my chaeto. I've also got a small power head in the fuge, which seems to help considerably with the chaeto growth. Seems like the added flow with miracle mud might stir it up. Most people who use miracle mud suggest putting it in a separate container within the fuge to make it easier and less messy to change out. Do you plan to use chaeto, mangrove, or some other macro algae?

Chaeto is at the top my list. I’ve heard folks say the marine block disintegrated in the refugium causing a big mess. Has this happened to you?

 

[Auquanut]

I’ve heard folks say the marine block disintegrated in the refugium causing a big mess. Has this happened to you?

I've heard that too. When I (rarely) clean my sump, there's very little sand-like debris in the bottom of the fuge. I use the balls though and they seem to hold up pretty well. I just give them a good rinse in fresh salt water and throw them back in.

 

[Silver14SS]

MarinePure resulted in elevated Al on my ICP tests, I didn't see any issues from it, but removed it anyways. My refugium is just crushed coral sand, rock, macros, and inverts.

 

[LiveWire]

I used Miracle mud in the past and if never seemed to really benefit my system and just was a mess to deal with so I just stopped using it. I also have a small power head in the sump so it would make a bigger mess now. I used just regular rock in a large sump now. Easy to move and clean up the detritus that builds up.

 

[lapin]

My question today is, for a refugium should i go miracle mud, marine pure block or both?

What you use depends on what your plan is. It is a matter how much work you plan on doing and what sort of purpose your sump will serve. Each method has it pluses and minuses.
Mud needs to be changed out when it becomes no longer able to process nutrients. This can be messy and if not careful , can nuke your tank.
The blocks will leech some Al and if you keep touching them, they will fall apart. They do cost a bit of pocket change.
If you just want to grow cheeto and some pods then some rock rubble will do just fine.
If you want worms and other creepy crawlies then sand and mud are the way to go.

 

[NervousReefer]

I've heard that too. When I (rarely) clean my sump, there's very little sand-like debris in the bottom of the fuge. I use the balls though and they seem to hold up pretty well. I just give them a good rinse in fresh salt water and throw them back in.

Ok I’ll give those a try! Thanks!

 

[ReeferReefer]

I don't understand the big deal with Marine Pure. It has been shown to leach so why people are still using it is puzzling. I prefer to use Seachem Matrix to add biological filtration to my system.

 

[NervousReefer]

Ok I’ll give those a try! Thanks!

I don't understand the big deal with Marine Pure. It has been shown to leach so why people are still using it is puzzling. I prefer to use Seachem Matrix to add biological filtration to my system.

Oh wow didn’t know that

 

[rob myers]

I used miracle mud did not see any advantage .

 

[NervousReefer]

I used miracle mud did not see any advantage .

I think I’m gonna say no to both of them after reading the replies.

 

[rob myers]

I am also using seachem matrix 2 months have not seen it break down and get brittle like marine pure. I have been using reef endurance as my two part and that has showed the best help I have given my tank yet

 

[NervousReefer]

I am also using seachem matrix 2 months have not seen it break down and get brittle like marine pure. I have been using reef endurance as my two part and that has showed the best help I have given my tank yet

Writing all this down. Thanks!