Has anyone tried Miracle Mud (or similar)?

[JeanR]

Trying to figure out if this is good stuff or voodoo.

Some impressive people (Mike Paletta for example) seem convinced. But then again Dr. Oz peddles a lot of snake oil nonsense, so it's hard to know.

If you did use it, how did you use it, how quickly did you notice a difference and was there any downside.

Thanks!

 

[mvallee]

I bought some Fiji mud as part of a package deal, same thing all the reviews touting the virtues, I ended up sucking it out of my sump in less than a month. I could not touch anything in my sump without making a silt storm that would last hours and coat everything in my DT. It was not mud but like silt you would find along a marsh and it was terrible.

Was there any benefit to my system not sure but if miracle mud is the same as Fiji Mud I would stay away.

 

[MeezusReef]

I've had miracle mud for the past year now (100g mixed reef)... 15lb. They recommend more, but I do not have enough room in the sump for it.

You will have to be strategic with how you introduce the miracle mud into your tank, if you do not want a mess in your display. I used containers that would fit into the refugium section of my sump and soaked in tank water for a few hours. I then placed them in the sump with the lid on and slowly opened the lid. After letting the mud settle in the sump, I turned the return pump on. This reduced the cloudiness tremendously.

I have not seen any ill-effect on the tank, but I have not seen a noticeable difference either. No reduction in nitrates or coloration of corals so far, but I have always practiced good husbandry on my tank (or so I try). Also, you might see a bigger effect using more miracle mud than I have. As you said, there are trusted people in the industry that swear by it, but I'm just giving my personal experience with it (10+ years reefkeeping). Again, no negatives, but no huge positives either. Hope this helps.