ZEOvit vs. Mircle Mud Method

[calming-creations]

Hello Everyone:

I was wondering if anyone has every had there hand in either of the above methods: ZEOvit or Miracle Mud Method.

I have read quite a lot about both methods, however I have not found anyone who has made any comparisons between the two methods. I was looking to do this beginning in the fall was wondering what people thought about these methods and/or this comparison project.

Thanks,
Joe

[charlie]

Did the miracle mud on my 80 gallon about 5 years ago. Found out that a refugium with good old sand works just as well. I will say that it did its job, way back when.

[dougc]

I have Miracle Mud in my sump/refugium. My tank is bare-bottom, so this IS my sandbed. From my standpoint, the key think is not the specific substrate, but the fact that it is external. This means that I can replace part of the sandbed without disruption to the tank. Ecosystem recommends doing this every couple of years. My hope is that by periodically replacing the sandbed, I can avoid "old tank syndrome". I will not replace the mud with Miracle Mud. I have a big container of much-cheaper Mineral Mud (can't remember who makes it) set aside for this purpose. I agree with Charlie that a good sand will probably perform just as well.

I have never used Zeovit, so I can't comment on that.

[Ninong]

What exactly is Miracle Mud?

Answer here.


Be sure to check out the photomicrographs and don't miss the conclusions at the bottom of the page.

Conclusions

The analysis indicates that Miracle Mud is 30% silicon. This mostly likely exists in Miracle Mud as silicon dioxide, which is most commonly found in nature as quartz. As pointed out by chemist Randy Holmes-Farley, the molecular weight of silicon makes up less than half the molecular weight of silicon dioxide. So if the silicon present is all in the form of silicon dioxide, then Miracle Mud is more than 63% quartz sand. This seems to be confirmed by the photos.

The high levels of metals (especially Aluminum, Iron and Titanium) are also a point of concern.

In addition, no traces of any marine sediment were found in any microscopic examination - no oolitic sand grains, no shell fragments, no diatoms or any other remnants of marine life. An acid test conducted by Shane Graber indicates that no carbonates are present in Miracle Mud. It is difficult to reconcile these facts with the manufacturer's claim that "Miracle Mud is 80% oceanic mud."

[Drifty]

I have used miracle mud for the last 4 years, I get good colours, good growth and all I do to my tank is dose alk, cal and mag, and change 10% water a month. I have a couple of friends who use Zeo and it is completely different to mm. They dose either daily or every 2 days which is something I didnt want to get into. They do get great growth and colours though. I think Zeo is a little labour intensive but MM is completely the opposite, just depends on what suits you best