Reminder to everyone using Fiji Mud

[JoJosReef]

Fiji mud can contain magnetic particles in it--in the past some people have called them "metal filings", but AquaForest has affirmed that they are not metal filings but naturally occurring metal particles in the mud. It is GREAT mud, but what the ocean lacks that our tanks have are magnetic powerheads and other devices that can get a bit messed up with magnetic bits floating around.

SO, when mixing up your Fijian Mud, make sure to use a very strong magnet, like this magnet I use from my OctoAquatics SHU acclimation box (shameless plug... the box is great and the magnet is the best I've had).

I mix the mud in tank water while holding the magnet below the container. It gathers all the magnetic bits, and then I dump the contents into the flow or into the refugium while keeping the magnet in place. You can see what it captures:

I highly recommend the product with the caveat that you should pay attention to the magnetic particles and remove them in some way or another.

 

[BeanAnimal]

looks like somebody dumped an etch-a-sketch in there.

 

[ReefTanker91]

Hey Jojo, thanks for posting this. My new tank setup will have a refugium which is something I have not set up before. my goal with the fuge is to grow chaeto, have a safe space for copepods to multiply for mandarins later on, and grow some microalgae to feed tangs.

I was thinking of adding this as the substrate in the fuge but now am wondering how I can get the metals out if I don’t dissolve it in tank water first? Do you think that’s possible?

 

[JoJosReef]

Hey Jojo, thanks for posting this. My new tank setup will have a refugium which is something I have not set up before. my goal with the fuge is to grow chaeto, have a safe space for copepods to multiply for mandarins later on, and grow some microalgae to feed tangs.

I was thinking of adding this as the substrate in the fuge but now am wondering how I can get the metals out if I don’t dissolve it in tank water first? Do you think that’s possible?

I mixed mine with special grade sand. Actually did first a thin layer of the mid with tank water after taking out the magnetic particles, let it sit and settle overnight, then layered the sand on top--it disturbs the mud, but you get enough on the bottom and the rest mixes in the sand. Then the big rock, then slowly pouring water over the big rock to fill up the refugium, then sitting overnight with the sump pump (the smallest Jebao available).

If you are wanting a more mineral substrate and less sand, you could use the same approach and swap out the sand for Miracle Mud, which isn't mud directly from the ocean. Others like @TangerineSpeedo have used this substrate very successfully. You'd get the benefits of both (microbiome of the ocean mud and composition if the Miracle Mud). Just a thought.

 

[ReefTanker91]

That’s amazing, thank you so much. Will you be dosing the AF Life Source additionally you think?

 

[JoJosReef]

That’s amazing, thank you so much. Will you be dosing the AF Life Source additionally you think?

Yes, although mine is a bit old, so I might be buying a new one at some point.

 

[ReefTanker91]

Hey JoJo, I thought I would share this study with you. It is from a month ago. Seems like the metal particles should not interfere with the equipment we use. Below is a quote from the article.

“The magnetic particles found in the mud are natural basalt fragments with an electromagnetic charge. These particles are not pollutants or heavy metals but rather a component of the environment. Basalt is relatively soft, breaking down over time, much like the formation of black sand beaches.”

That being said the ICP test does show a high level of aluminum but not enough to have a negative impact on the tank. Unfortunately a magnet would not pick up the aluminum.

I was hoping the mud would have more macro elements but I guess I will just stick with weekly water changes in my own tank. Not sure how to dose the macro properly.

Aquaforest Life Source Has Been Tested: Good Biodiversity But High Trace Concentrations - Larger Sample Size Needed | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Hobbyist Josh Vaisman recently sent in a sample of Aquaforest Life Source, the liquid mud product, to AquaBiomics and Triton to evaluate its microbiome and ionic composition. Below are some quotes…

reefbuilders.com

Yes, although mine is a bit old, so I might be buying a new one at some point.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Aside from the water chemistry, I think concern is magnetic particles being attracted to, and abrading pump rotors and bearings.

 

[ReefTanker91]

In the article it states the basalt breaks down in a short amount of time and did not cause any issues to the tester’s equipment. Not sure how true the article is. Just saw that it was recently posted.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Somewhat contradictory -- "risk of damage is minimal".

I would err on the side of precaution and not allow abrasive magnetic material anywhere near my pumps, no matter what the MARKETING said

 

[VintageReefer]

I like refugite. it’s larger and I doubt would be sucked into a pump. I put it in a media bag anyway

Heater should be in chamber 1

 

[JoJosReef]

Somewhat contradictory -- "risk of damage is minimal".

I would err on the side of precaution and not allow abrasive magnetic material anywhere near my pumps, no matter what the MARKETING said

My line of thinking. I don't hear anyone talking about beneficial levels of basalt, so I'll continue to pull out the magnetic bits with my strong OctoAquatics SHU magnet. Wish I could still get the Walt Smith Fiji Mud. Might have to give the FloridaPets.com Keys mud a try.

 

[Remi]

@JoJosReef do you spread it also in the display tank?

 

[Bitter old man]

I like refugite. it’s larger and I doubt would be sucked into a pump. I put it in a media bag anyway

Heater should be in chamber 1

Heater is fine in middle chamber. Just not with return pump. What’s your reasoning for being in chamber 1?

 

[VintageReefer]

Heater is fine in middle chamber. Just not with return pump. What’s your reasoning for being in chamber 1?

I, openly asked the forum, where best to put it? I have this exact same tank and sump, and wanted to know where best to put it. I was going to use the middle section.

After discussion with many people, some that I consider more knowledgeable than myself, it was determined the heater should be in section 1, it’s the smallest volume to heat, and in event of a return pump failure and heater probe failure, worst case scenario, is it will cook chamber 1 but leave the refugium unharmed. If left in the middle, and there was failure, it would cook all the macro algae and micro critters.

if this risk is not a concern because middle only held a skimmer and gear then the middle is fine