Only £50.
This is my best sump/refugium design for marine aquariums (or freshwater tanks) up to about 200 litres (45 gallons). It can accommodate return pumps up to about 6500 litres/hour and is particularly aimed at the ever popular Ocean Runner 3500 return pump which can be fitted either in the last chamber inside the sump or outside via an overflow pipe. It measures 24” long x 15” high x 12” wide and has a working volume of about 12 gallons. The third chamber must be filled with bio-balls to prevent Caulerpa getting into your return pump. The first chamber can also be filled with bio-balls to reduce noise, bubbles and splashing. This is a used Miracle Mud sump/refugium. This type of sump retails at a minimum of £90. Neither a return pump nor miracle mud nor bio-balls nor a Caulerpa colony is included in this sale.
The miracle mud filtration method is based on the principles of ecology and is a natural filtration system that simulates the environment found in coral reefs. It does not require a Protein Skimmer (in fact the use of one is undesirable) or activated carbon to purify the water. It keeps the water well oxygenated through the photosynthesis of Caulerpa and entirely eliminates the need for air pumps. Caulerpa can also be harvested and used as fresh, natural food for fish. In addition, Caulerpa prevents the growth of undesirable hair algae by competing for essential nutrients.
The miracle mud filtration method uses the end products of fish metabolism and fixes them into plant tissue, therefore preventing the accumulation of harmful ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, and stabilizing the pH. By maintaining a clean environment, the miracle mud filtration method keeps fish healthy and their colours vibrant. Furthermore, it has been proven through research that this filtration system helps prevent and even cures/reverses lateral line disease.
The miracle mud filtration system requires minimal maintenance, and is a cost-effective way for you to keep a flourishing and colourful tank of fish and inverts.
*A Breakthrough for Hobbyists
*No More Guessing
*No Protein Skimmer Required
*No More Balancing of Chemicals
*Reef and Fish Keeping Made Simple
*A Simple and Natural Approach to Aquarium Filtration
*Achieve Professional Results With No Prior Experience
*Prevents and Reverses Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
*Discus and Tropical Fish Keeping Made Simple
*You Can Do It
This refugium tank is designed on the Leng Sy miracle mud principal. It is a small sump refugium that adds extra water capacity to help replace that lost by the displacement of rocks, substrate, etc. It is intended to house a Miracle Mud bed and a macro algae colony. Half of the mud is changed after 2 years and the other half the year after. After that half of the mud is to be changed every year.
Small as it is, it still manages to support a wide range of healthy, colourful reef subjects. What is immediately noticeable with these systems is that while they can support good coral cover, they are especially good for supporting soft corals. I think that this tank set-up offers a really good package that will appeal to both a beginner and to someone more experienced.
Soft corals are rising in popularity due to increased restrictions governing the import of hard corals. A reef tank can very effectively be based solely on these easy-to-keep corals. Soft corals and other sessile invertebrates like gorgonians, searods and colonial anemones are ideal easy subjects for the miracle mud system. They thrive in the conditions provided by Leng Sy’s Miracle mud method of filtration, constantly displaying full polyp extension, and are colourful, healthy and vigorous.
There are other advantages in specialising in such hardy subjects. There is no need for the strong, high-intensity lighting necessary with most hard corals, and especially SPS types. Nor is there the need for calcium addition using a CO2 reactor.
The great success of the Leng Sy method is that the detrimental effects due to skimming are avoided, and the aquarium water reflects more closely the components that are found in the waters surrounding natural reefs.
Even sponge colonies can spring up in aquariums using this filtration system. These are normally absent in tanks with over-powerful skimming.
Perhaps the biggest advantage in adopting a Miracle mud sump is the savings that come with this method of filtration. This totally natural form of filtration uses Caulerpa as an algal scrubber, which absorbs the waste products of fish metabolism and fixes them into plant tissue. This therefore prevents the accumulation of harmful ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, all the while stabilising pH.
This is accomplished by installing a refugium below the display tank containing live Caulerpa. Miracle mud is a carefully formulated material that includes trace elements, minerals and other components necessary to maintain a successful aquarium and is used as the substrate in the refugium and is an essential component of the Miracle mud method.
Lighting over the refugium is left on 24/7 to allow continuous photosynthesis. This has the benefit of reducing pH fluctuations that occur out of the normal photoperiod, as well as preventing sexual reproduction by the Caulerpa, thus lowering the risk of the algae crashing.
Similarly, pH fluctuations are often a problem in non-Miracle mud filtered reef systems requiring correction by dosing with kalkwasser during the hours of darkness. This is also unnecessary when the Miracle mud method is applied, as pH remains stable throughout the full 24-hour daily cycle.
Calcium levels in the tank are maintained satisfactorily at around 370-380ppm using a regime of regular 1% water changes daily, as there is not a high demand for calcium by soft corals.
All other beneficial components in the water which reduce over time are replenished by the same process, and by the Miracle mud in the refugium. So in the absence of a skimmer, it’s possible to manage without any additional equipment for adding calcium or a dosing system for additives.
Economies from choosing the Miracle mud form of filtration, initially, are savings on equipment such as a skimmer plus a dosing system for additives. This latter is necessary when using a skimmer in order to replenish beneficial components such as calcium, strontium, iodine and molybdenum plus various trace elements that heavy skimming can easily remove.
Needless to say, quite large economies can be made both in savings on equipment purchase and running costs such as a calcium reactor or skimmer giving substantially lower set-up costs. Longer-term benefits, of course, are savings in maintenance/repairs of this equipment and purchase of expensive additives.
Fact file
Biological filtration
The Leng Sy Miracle mud filtration method is employed relying on an algae scrubber refugium with a substrate of Leng Sy-patented Miracle mud. This refugium is a standard Leng Sy pattern and is intended to contain Caulerpa and possibly small amounts of live rock, plus one bag (5Kg) of Miracle mud. I recommend C. prolifera after experimenting with a range of other Caulerpa species. About 0.5kg of live rock per gallon in the display tank also contributes towards the biological filtration.
Chemical filtration
Not considered necessary. Even a phosphate remover is unnecessary as small traces in the system are beneficial to the Caulerpa.
Water changes
Partial water changes of 1% daily using top quality marine salt mix/RO water rested for 24 hours minimum. Top-up with RO water.
Skimming
No skimming in line with Miracle mud filtration method.
Calcium/carbonate hardness management
Not considered necessary.
Water circulation
Aim for an absolute minimum total tank turnover of around 20 times per hour.
Lighting: Refugium
T5 fluorescent tubes or fluorescents.
Refugium Photoperiod
Lit permanently on a 24/7 basis.
Cash payment on collection would be perfectly acceptable.
Contact Information
Advertiser: Mike Cursons
Telephone: 01484 359016
City: Holmfirth
County: West Yorkshire
Advert stats: [Added or updated:02/09/07 Views: 3852]
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