JoJo's No Funny Business Office Tank Thread

[VintageReefer]

Color in the “non blue” pics isn’t accurate. It’s really nice in person and crisp.

No lens filter = wrong
Lens filter = pinkish

Didn’t have time to break out the other filters and mess around.

Blue pics look accurate to real life viewing

 

[JoJosReef]

Category	Status	Action Items
Tank/Stand/Sump/Plumbing	YE-AH!	Need a base, either acrylic or glass or something else + second leveling mat; also brace supports inside of tank; also drill hole for power cables; also decide whether to add a bottom eurobrace...
Return pump	YE-AH!
ATO/Reservoir	YE-AH!
4x Noopsyche Minis	YE-AH!	Win a 5th light
Light mount	NOPE	Recheck measurements, order
Lid	ORDERED	Wait for it
Hydros + sense devices	YE-AH!	Start programming
Control board	ORDERED	Design, assemble; order GFCI adapters and surge protectors
Dosing container	YE-AH!	Solder wires for Hydros float switch
Steel pan	YE-AH!
Glass or acrylic support pedestal + leveling mat	NOPE	Ridiculously expensive. Rethink how to make this support.
Glass sump weir wall	PICKED UP	Silicone it in place
Sump weir wall vinyl blackout film	ORDERED	Get heat gun to adhere to glass
Sump cryptic refugium shade	ORDERED	Get clamps and straight edge, cut
Transfer buckets, 27gal tubs x 4	YE-AH!
100 gal saltwater	5/100gal	Make more, slacker
Sand	YE-AH!	Start seeding with Fiji Mud
MP40 Nem Guard	YE-AH!
Overflow strainer	YE-AH!	sand nozzle
Power strip	NOPE	Order 2x GFCI adapters and 2x surge protector strips

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Why did you chose AF Fiji Mud over Miracle mud? I read somewhere that there is magnetic material in the Fiji mud that can mess with your pumps. I personally have not tried it. But I use the Miracle Mud in my tanks.

 

[VintageReefer]

Why did you chose AF Fiji Mud over Miracle mud? I read somewhere that there is magnetic material in the Fiji mud that can mess with your pumps. I personally have not tried it. But I use the Miracle Mud in my tanks.

I added refugite to my sump a few months ago. It’s claimed to leach trace elements like manganese and is supposedly good for goniopora and macroalgae. It’s not mud but instead live refugium substrate. It’s gravel/pebble size. Unlike live sand packaging, I was impressed by the amount of water that was included in the bag to keep it all submerged and (hopefully) live

 

[JoJosReef]

Why did you chose AF Fiji Mud over Miracle mud? I read somewhere that there is magnetic material in the Fiji mud that can mess with your pumps. I personally have not tried it. But I use the Miracle Mud in my tanks.

AF has all the good nasty stuff in it--bacteria, bristleworm eggs, etc. Miracle Mud is sort of a synthetic blend.

AF definitely has magnetic particles in it. I mix the mud in a tupper with the OctoAquatics acclimation box magnet sitting under it. That thing could pull the iron out of your blood. Immobilizes all the magnetic particles. Then just dump the dirty water into the tank.

 

[JoJosReef]

Note, I prefer the Walt Smith Fiji Mud, but that stuff isn't available anymore.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

AF has all the good nasty stuff in it--bacteria, bristleworm eggs, etc. Miracle Mud is sort of a synthetic blend.

AF definitely has magnetic particles in it. I mix the mud in a tupper with the OctoAquatics acclimation box magnet sitting under it. That thing could pull the iron out of your blood. Immobilizes all the magnetic particles. Then just dump the dirty water into the tank.

I haven’t heard of the synthetic aspect of miracle mud, I thought it was sourced from the bases of mangrove trees or something like that.

 

[JoJosReef]

I haven’t heard of the synthetic aspect of miracle mud, I thought it was sourced from the bases of mangrove trees or something like that.

Yup, I spoke erroneously. Is this the same that you are using?

Miracle Mud | EcoSystem Aquarium

Miracle Mud® is the original refugium mud substrate developed by Leng Sy in late 1989. “From my previous experience with aragonite sand, I favor the use of Miracle Mud. It appears to provide a different habitat and, quite possibly, nutrients … Continue reading →

ecosystemaquarium.com

If so, it isn't "synthetic" at least 80% of it appears to be real mud that has just been dried out and makes up the susbstrate while the remaining 20% "synthetic" part is minerals and trace elements (which isn't "synthesized" at all, so that's also incorrect).

Overall, looks like a highly beneficial substrate, but I imagine the drying out procedure kills off the bulk of the microfauna found in Fiji Mud, but perhaps bacteria stick around.I must have read/misunderstood someone's post early on when researching substrates that led me to think it wasn't derived from ocean mud.

 

[VintageReefer]

Yup, I spoke erroneously. Is this the same that you are using?

Miracle Mud | EcoSystem Aquarium

Miracle Mud® is the original refugium mud substrate developed by Leng Sy in late 1989. “From my previous experience with aragonite sand, I favor the use of Miracle Mud. It appears to provide a different habitat and, quite possibly, nutrients … Continue reading →

ecosystemaquarium.com

If so, it isn't "synthetic" at least 80% of it appears to be real mud that has just been dried out and makes up the susbstrate while the remaining 20% "synthetic" part is minerals and trace elements (which isn't "synthesized" at all, so that's also incorrect).

Overall, looks like a highly beneficial substrate, but I imagine the drying out procedure kills off the bulk of the microfauna found in Fiji Mud, but perhaps bacteria stick around.I must have read/misunderstood someone's post early on when researching substrates that led me to think it wasn't derived from ocean mud.

See post 9, 14, 15

Refugite. Is it worth it?

There's some kind of refugium mud, called Refugite from Two Little Fishies. I read it contains Mn and Fe that would help simulate enzymes so LFS can thrive better. It is different than dosing Mn & Fe which don't last long, either because algae or coral use it or get oxidized in water. With this...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[VintageReefer]

See post 7 and 9

I will be using this on my new build. Same method - in a bag.

Dosing manganese

Do you dose manganese? I bought a bottle yesterday. I does trace elements which includes manganese but my last icp said 0 manganese. Advise dosing 1.2ml for 2 days then .2 daily.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Stang67]

Found the af mud also helps with battling some dinos. Fwiw

 

[JoJosReef]

Found the af mud also helps with battling some dinos. Fwiw

First thing I do when I see dinos. Then check which kind and if ostreopsis or prorocentrum, I run UV.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Yup, I spoke erroneously. Is this the same that you are using?

Miracle Mud | EcoSystem Aquarium

Miracle Mud® is the original refugium mud substrate developed by Leng Sy in late 1989. “From my previous experience with aragonite sand, I favor the use of Miracle Mud. It appears to provide a different habitat and, quite possibly, nutrients … Continue reading →

ecosystemaquarium.com

If so, it isn't "synthetic" at least 80% of it appears to be real mud that has just been dried out and makes up the susbstrate while the remaining 20% "synthetic" part is minerals and trace elements (which isn't "synthesized" at all, so that's also incorrect).

Overall, looks like a highly beneficial substrate, but I imagine the drying out procedure kills off the bulk of the microfauna found in Fiji Mud, but perhaps bacteria stick around.I must have read/misunderstood someone's post early on when researching substrates that led me to think it wasn't derived from ocean mud.

Yes, this is the stuff I am using.
On a side note, When I first started with marine aquaria in 1989 in southern Illinois, HLLE was not a thing. I had tangs, I used cheap carbon, live rock from Hawaii and treated tap water. I wasn’t until I moved back to the Chicago area after school that I started to see it. I always thought it was a missing element thing, but there is some research that it is from carbon files ( @Jay Hemdal ). In southern Illinois, it is coined "Little Egypt" because during dust bowl times, it was one of the few places that was able to produce crops. A place that several rivers meet, bringing rich soil filled with elements. These elements which find themselves into the ground water, I always felt it was the reason I never saw HLLE while I lived there. One of the claims that Miracle Mud says is that it can reverse HLLE. A claim that has been confirmed anecdotally by others. So this is the reason why I use this product. Because I do not have any tangs that I rescued from big box stores that already had HLLE and were barely a inch and a half. Plus I have seen exceptional PE from my corals. I know this is not the whole picture, but part of the picture with my success. My whole philosophy of a successful tank is repeating nature as best I can.
As far as your purpose to use the fiji mud is to add biome, which I think is very important. I do that in other ways but always looking for diversity. I like the way you address the magnetic issue, because pumps are too expensive to ruin.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Yes, this is the stuff I am using.
On a side note, When I first started with marine aquaria in 1989 in southern Illinois, HLLE was not a thing. I had tangs, I used cheap carbon, live rock from Hawaii and treated tap water. I wasn’t until I moved back to the Chicago area after school that I started to see it. I always thought it was a missing element thing, but there is some research that it is from carbon files ( @Jay Hemdal ). In southern Illinois, it is coined "Little Egypt" because during dust bowl times, it was one of the few places that was able to produce crops. A place that several rivers meet, bringing rich soil filled with elements. These elements which find themselves into the ground water, I always felt it was the reason I never saw HLLE while I lived there. One of the claims that Miracle Mud says is that it can reverse HLLE. A claim that has been confirmed anecdotally by others. So this is the reason why I use this product. Because I do not have any tangs that I rescued from big box stores that already had HLLE and where barely a inch and a half. Plus I have seen exceptional PE from my corals. I know this is not the whole picture, but part of the picture with my success. My whole philosophy of a successful tank is repeating nature as best I can.
As far as your purpose to use the fiji mud is to add biome, which I think is very important. I do that in other ways but always looking for diversity. I like the way you address the magnetic issue, because pumps are too expensive to ruin.

I've heard that also about "miracle mud". However, I never tested it to see if the reports were actually cause and effect, or just anecdotes. I do know that HLLE is less commonly seen in aquariums with good foam fractionation, as well as reef aquariums that have low particulate organic carbon due to micron filtration, or filter feeding invertebrates. Perhaps Miracle Mud acts as some sort of settling agent for carbon fines?

 

[JoJosReef]

Weekly goals:
1. Make 50 gal of Saltwater
2. Start seeding sand/rock in tub
3. Order T slots for mounting lights and bracing stand
4. Figure out what to do with support between stand and tank
5. Silicone the refugium weir wall
6. Cut plexiglass cryptic refugium lid
7. Order electrical stuff
8. Clean the glass
9. Kill aiptasia
10. Check ALK
11. Figure out whether/how to bottom eurobrace tank
12. Find time

Have a good week everyone!

 

[JoJosReef]

Which image generator are you using?

 

[Slocke]

Which image generator are you using?

Microsoft Designer - Stunning designs in a flash

A graphic design app that helps you create professional quality social media posts, invitations, digital postcards, graphics, and more. Start with your idea and create something unique for you.

designer.microsoft.com

It’s worked great so far! Use the “prompt enhancer”

 

[JoJosReef]

Coming along at a snail's pace

Category	Status	Action Items
Tank/Stand/Sump/Plumbing	YE-AH!	Need a base, either acrylic or glass or something else + second leveling mat; also brace supports inside of tank; also drill hole for power cables; also decide whether to add a bottom eurobrace...
Return pump	YE-AH!
ATO/Reservoir	YE-AH!
4x Noopsyche Minis	YE-AH!	Maybe order a 5th light...
Light mount	NOPE	Recheck measurements, order
Lid	ORDERED	Wait for it
Hydros + sense devices	YE-AH!	Start programming
Control board	YE-AH!	Fasten things to the board!
Dosing container	YE-AH!	Solder wires for Hydros float switch
Steel pan	YE-AH!
Glass or acrylic support pedestal + leveling mat	NOPE	Ridiculously expensive. Rethink how to make this support.
Glass sump weir wall	YE-AH!	Silicone it in place
Sump weir wall vinyl blackout film	YE-AH!	Get heat gun to adhere to glass
Sump cryptic refugium shade	YE-AH!	Cut and glue
Transfer buckets, 27gal tubs x 4	YE-AH!
100 gal saltwater	15/100gal	Make more, slacker
Sand	YE-AH!	Start seeding with Fiji Mud
MP40 Nem Guard	YE-AH!	Test fit
Overflow strainer	YE-AH!	sand nozzle
Power strip	NOPE	Order 2x GFCI adapters and 2x surge protector strips
Sand	YE-AH!	Start seeding with Fiji Mud
Rocks	YE-AH!	Start seeding with Fiji Mud
Refugium pump	NOPE	Order a powerhead; current mixing powerhead is starting to rust

 

[tbrown]

Gonna need to see some strike thru and some conditional formatting on this one...

 

[JoJosReef]

Gonna need to see some strike thru and some conditional formatting on this one @Mschmidt mkay, thanks!

Fixed it.