deep sand bed, miracle mud or small rock for refugium

[deboy69]

So which one is better? Anyone have good or bad experiences with either

 

[DyM]

Both DSB and small rock. Remember that rock in order to stay alive needs light, so keep that in mind. Also, I've used miracle mud = replace the word miracle with junk, and that sums it up. I've not used it, but the algae scruber is bound to be mentioned, might want to read up on that.

 

[ryewalk84]

I just read this past week that plain clay kitty litter can be used in place of miracle mud. Would be much cheaper. I haven't looked into it yet, but you could read up on that as well.

 

[09bumblebee]

The best combo is 4-5" sand bed, live rock on top of that with some cheato and a light. You don't want tons of flow through the fuge.

 

[Haulin Oates]

Use fine sand though... I used coarse almost crushed coral under my cheato and it does NOT have the same effect. That's one of the reasons I'm tearing it down now.

 

[DyM]

ryewalk84 - welcome to MASC. I'd be cautious going that route - can you post where you found it?

 

[ryewalk84]

I honestly can't remember. I read it in a thread somewhere (maybe reef central?) from someone stating that miracle mud is just a fine clay material. I have added it to my list of things to do further research into.

 

[Haulin Oates]

Kitty litter... Interesting... I suppose of it was inert without chemicals it would absorb a lot of things, until it was full, then it might leach out. It would definitely change the meaning of "cleaning the cat box!"

 

[hurrafreak]

Remember that rock in order to stay alive needs light

Not sure if I totally agree with this statement? A lot of people keep live rock alive in tubs and trash cans without any light, and there are people keeping cryptic refugiums which also don't use light? Just my opinion from others' experience of course

 

[Haulin Oates]

Also you cook rock for months at a time in the dark... It lets tge beneficial bacteria grow but not the algae.

 

[deboy69]

Right now I got Petco sand for 3 10 lbs for $7 a piece. I washed it with my old water when I did my 50% water change. I had a large rock which was in the refugium sitting. I put it onto the sand to seed it (I hope) along with cheato. So about 4-5 inches of sand. When the rock is done I have several small pieces of rock sitting in my garage for a while don't know where it came from or used for. What should I do to this rock to add it to the fuge or is sand enough?