I posted this theory to my local reef group in Houston – MARSH and wanted to get reefs.org take on the idea?
The Mud is not a "Miracle" it is “live” mud...
Hypothesis #1
The Eco Mud is performing much of the same function as a Deep Sand Bed (DSB) with the added feature of impregnated organic fuel.
Rationale:
Because of the grain size and dense packing, the depth at which the majority of the denitrification and the decomposition of organics takes place is much higher in this substrate than the DSB. And because of the multitude of very small "spheres" of quartz there are many many more sites available for the sulfate and nitrate reducing bacteria to attach. Therefore, to perform the DSB tasks of removing nitrates, sulfates, and dissolved organics the Mud only requires a fraction of the depth and surface area of a DSB.
This theory is based upon particle size primarily (although I think that the organic enrichment of the mud is a big player in creating mega meiofuna and microbial populations) Just sticking some flake food in your DSB will not do it.
Hypothesis #2
The Eco system (with the macro-algae) is performing much of the same function as an algal scrub with a fantastic nitrate factory feeding it by way of the bio balls.
The Caulerpa is an algal scrub for organic transport and nice habitat for macro- and meiofuna. Further, the Iron content will supercharge the growth of the macro-.
How can we prove the Hypothesis?
Find some substrate of equivalent size, add some nutrients (humus) and some iron. Grow some killer batches of macro...
See if it "Works" and gives similar results as the Eco... Of course this is not a proof. It would be anecdotal at best but a start in the right direction.
Bruce
The Mud is not a "Miracle" it is “live” mud...
Hypothesis #1
The Eco Mud is performing much of the same function as a Deep Sand Bed (DSB) with the added feature of impregnated organic fuel.
Rationale:
Because of the grain size and dense packing, the depth at which the majority of the denitrification and the decomposition of organics takes place is much higher in this substrate than the DSB. And because of the multitude of very small "spheres" of quartz there are many many more sites available for the sulfate and nitrate reducing bacteria to attach. Therefore, to perform the DSB tasks of removing nitrates, sulfates, and dissolved organics the Mud only requires a fraction of the depth and surface area of a DSB.
This theory is based upon particle size primarily (although I think that the organic enrichment of the mud is a big player in creating mega meiofuna and microbial populations) Just sticking some flake food in your DSB will not do it.
Hypothesis #2
The Eco system (with the macro-algae) is performing much of the same function as an algal scrub with a fantastic nitrate factory feeding it by way of the bio balls.
The Caulerpa is an algal scrub for organic transport and nice habitat for macro- and meiofuna. Further, the Iron content will supercharge the growth of the macro-.
How can we prove the Hypothesis?
Find some substrate of equivalent size, add some nutrients (humus) and some iron. Grow some killer batches of macro...
See if it "Works" and gives similar results as the Eco... Of course this is not a proof. It would be anecdotal at best but a start in the right direction.
Bruce
