mud or normal sand for refugium?

[ireven]

hi guys!
what kind of gravl do you use for refuguim? I heard that Mud is very good for refuguim. But, it's pretty expensive.($20 for 1 gal only). Or use very small size sand? I saw there is "Marine BioSediment" made by Kent. It says it's good for refuguim.
---(Composed of minerals typically found in and around tropical reefs. Although designed for use in refugiums or mud filters, Marine BioSediment can be used as the main substrate in reef and fish-only aquariums.)---
Have you any guys tried that?
:joy:

 

[jdm_ae86]

I dont get whats the hype about miracle mud or the others..Just use fine sand and youre good to go..

 

[ireven]

what size of sand? large size or small?

 

[jb rekit]

small

 

[nm reef]

I prefer using normal everyday aragonite based sands of assorted grain sizes. The biosediment and/or miricle mud seems a bit much to me...and the aragonite sands have worked just fine.

 

[big slick]

Let me say first that I respect all those who have replied above me.........with extra props to NM reef.
I had the same decision to make about 6 months ago, and I went with mud. Yeah, it is expensive....like $70 a bag to take care of my 40 gal fuge, but I have had zero problems with it so far, and have aged my tank faster than most books and posters here have talked about. Be aware though that if you go with mud, you have to repolace 50% of it in 18 months so calculate that in when making the decision. Calurpa roots very well in mud and thrives....better than most aragonite fuges I've seen. Either way, good luck with your choice......cya
~D

 

[ireven]

seems like mud is good. but $$$$$.
anyway, thanks for all your helps.
oh, one more question....
do you guys really turn on lights 24/7?
because i will going to use my 65w PC lights for the refugium.
:notsure:

 

[schneidts]

I light mine opposite the display. The main idea with 24 hr lighting is to keep macros from going sexual. I don't have any macros that run risk of that, though. Reverse lighting keeps chemistry very stable. Oh, I also use sand and rock rubble.

 

[ireven]

no macros? how come?
and.....what is rock rubble? kind of live rock or sth else?

 

[jdm_ae86]

No, he mean that he doesnt keep macros that has a high chance of going sexual..
A good macroalgae to keep is chaetomorpha.
Rock rubble is just small pices of rock, people usually make a small pile of it in their refugium to encourage a breeding spot for microfauna(amphipods,copepods, etc.)..

 

[ireven]

ok, i got it
thanks everyone!!