fuge reccomendations

unclereefer · 03/03/2006, 12:22 PM

I need help deciding what substrate to use in my newly built fuge. Miracle mud sounds great but is sooo expensive. i have seen other more affordable refuguim muds but do they work as well? I have also heard alot of people say that a DSB works just as well. any input?

Reef'in Colorado · 03/03/2006, 12:26 PM

I would use a regular DSB w/ oolitic aragonite sand

Nicholo · 03/03/2006, 12:29 PM

It depends on the size of your sump. If it is a sump for the 40g mentioned in your sig, I'm guessing it's smaller than 40g and may not be enough surface area to be functional. Just going off of what I've read about DSBs...

REEFUR · 03/03/2006, 12:37 PM

thank for info

OnTheReef · 03/03/2006, 01:50 PM

I just lovingly prepared a new fuge with a combination of Miracle Mud and Phillipine coral sand. Guess what the caulerpa is taking root in? That's right, the coral sand.

rustybucket145 · 03/03/2006, 02:03 PM

Sugar sand Aragonite has been reccomended by many. I have a mix of Sugar Sand Aragonite, Special Sea Floor Grade Aragonite and a Jar of Kent Biosediment. My fuge seems to be doing great, Copepods, Amiphods and all sorts of micro life. I would also reccomend Cheatomorphia. It is easier to control than species of culpera and seems to export just as well if not better.

On the cheaper South Down Play Sand should do fine. But it has no buffering capability.

unclereefer · 03/03/2006, 02:51 PM

sounds like more reccomend the sand have any of you tried the miracle mud?

Serioussnaps · 03/03/2006, 05:13 PM

Go get Caribsea sugar fine OOLITIC sand. Rinse it very well in buckets and let it dry. Put a 5 inch DSB in your fuge with some macroalgae and live rock. Let sit for a couple months and watch it take off!!!

Serioussnaps · 03/03/2006, 05:14 PM

That miracle mud is phony. It works to some extent but it is marginal. Deep sand bed, live rock and macro. Natural gets it done and gives you a piece of mind.

davidryder · 03/03/2006, 05:18 PM

i use crushed coral for the substrate, feather and grape caulerpa, and a polyester floss...

davidryder · 03/03/2006, 05:18 PM

and live rock of course

03/03/2006, 12:22 PM	#1
unclereefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 302	fuge reccomendations I need help deciding what substrate to use in my newly built fuge. Miracle mud sounds great but is sooo expensive. i have seen other more affordable refuguim muds but do they work as well? I have also heard alot of people say that a DSB works just as well. any input?

03/03/2006, 12:29 PM	#3
Nicholo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 384	It depends on the size of your sump. If it is a sump for the 40g mentioned in your sig, I'm guessing it's smaller than 40g and may not be enough surface area to be functional. Just going off of what I've read about DSBs... __________________ I am an American aquarium drinker. Current Tank Info: 20-long, 10g sump

03/03/2006, 01:50 PM	#5
OnTheReef Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 340	I just lovingly prepared a new fuge with a combination of Miracle Mud and Phillipine coral sand. Guess what the caulerpa is taking root in? That's right, the coral sand. __________________ 100 gallon reef tank, 40 gallon sump/fuge combo with RDSB 2x ASM G2 with gate valve mod TLF phos reactor w/Rowaphos, Seachem Nitrate sponge 4x55w 50/50 actinic PC Current USA 0 amm, 0 nitrite, 0 n Current Tank Info: 50 & 100 gallon reef tanks

03/03/2006, 02:03 PM	#6
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	Sugar sand Aragonite has been reccomended by many. I have a mix of Sugar Sand Aragonite, Special Sea Floor Grade Aragonite and a Jar of Kent Biosediment. My fuge seems to be doing great, Copepods, Amiphods and all sorts of micro life. I would also reccomend Cheatomorphia. It is easier to control than species of culpera and seems to export just as well if not better. On the cheaper South Down Play Sand should do fine. But it has no buffering capability. __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

03/03/2006, 05:18 PM	#10
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	i use crushed coral for the substrate, feather and grape caulerpa, and a polyester floss... __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

03/03/2006, 12:26 PM	#2
Reef'in Colorado Reefer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Frederick, Co. Posts: 934	I would use a regular DSB w/ oolitic aragonite sand

03/03/2006, 12:37 PM	#4
REEFUR Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: shelby twp. MI 48317 Posts: 54	thank for info

03/03/2006, 02:51 PM	#7
unclereefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 302	sounds like more reccomend the sand have any of you tried the miracle mud?

03/03/2006, 05:13 PM	#8
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	Go get Caribsea sugar fine OOLITIC sand. Rinse it very well in buckets and let it dry. Put a 5 inch DSB in your fuge with some macroalgae and live rock. Let sit for a couple months and watch it take off!!!

03/03/2006, 05:14 PM	#9
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	That miracle mud is phony. It works to some extent but it is marginal. Deep sand bed, live rock and macro. Natural gets it done and gives you a piece of mind.

03/03/2006, 05:18 PM	#11
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	and live rock of course __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)