About a year ago we at EcoSystem set up four identical reef aquariums, each of which was run on a different filtration system methodology. We posted photos of these tanks every couple of months, so you can see how each tank has progressed over time. From photos that were recently taken, it is clear that there are some significant differences in how the tanks have progressed. Nuisance algae has grown significantly more in the tank using the Berlin system relative to the other aquariums using different systems. This same finding validates what Tom Frakes observed in his comparison of these methods in the SeaScope article in 2000, after he had done an 18-month comparative study.
The best coral growth is seen in the tanks using the EcoSystem Plus methodology (modified Paletta method in which the protein skimmer is run approximately six hours per day). The second most successful system is the one using only the EcoSystem Method (no protein skimmer). The growth rate is slightly slower in the Berlin system and the Paletta method (protein skimmer run 24/7 similar to the Berlin system, but with an additional refugium using 10 pounds of Miracle Mud), but the difference in growth is relatively small. However, it is clear that the Berlin system produced significantly more algae growth than any of the systems using Miracle Mud, as is clearly shown in our latest video.
Please watch the video clip below, and you will notice the large number of fish and coral in this 500 gallon EcoSystem Aquarium. You will see that the fish and coral are all very healthy and are a part of thriving reef aquaria.
How is this particularly high bio-load maintained? It’s the result of the filtration capabilities of our EcoSystem Miracle Mud Method filter, which allows the tank to support a much denser fish and coral population than conventional systems that do not use Miracle Mud.
This robust filtration allows us to heavily feed the aquarium, which also promotes large and healthy fish and coral. This particular system does not even use a protein skimmer, and requires very minimal maintenance!
Just by adding Miracle Mud to your system, you can increase the bio-load that your aquarium can maintain. Try it out today!
Don’t believe what you’re seeing? Come visit our lab in Laguna Hills, or email me to discuss.
1) The “Article of the Week,” a section on our home page where we will post general reef (aquarium) related articles that will help you in your endeavors to make your aquariums
more successful;
2) An “R & D” section, in which we will regularly post our ongoing research
projects and the associated links; and,
3) The “Aquarium Portraits,” where we will feature successful aquariums that use
Here is the first update of the tanks that are housing exactly the same corals and fish and utilize the same lighting and equipment other than filtration method for each tank. Water parameters are recorded weekly and the health and growth of the fish and corals will be documented both in a log and via pictures and video.
1. These tanks are set up the same and utilize the same equipment with only the mud substrate being different. These three mud substrates are Miracle Mud from EcoSystem Aquarium, Mineral Mud from CaribSea and Fiji Mud from Walt Smith.
2. We have also set up four equivalent tanks, each of which uses a separate filtration method. The systems include a Berlin tank, a tank using both a protein skimmer and Miracle Mud ( Paletta method), a modified Paletta method tank where the skimmer is only on for 6 hours each day and a tank using only the EcoSystem method.
Like many of you, I came into the marine hobby back in 1987 (my junior year at UCLA), because of the vibrant colors of marine fishes. My goal was simple: I wanted to keep the coloration of my fish as vibrant as the day I bought them and also wanted them to remain disease-free in my marine fish-only tank.
This is a typical marine fish-only tank from google images of Sergio Domingue’s tank from 2005.
Simple idea and goal…but it was a constant struggle and full of heartache! It took me almost 15 years to achieve, but not without much frustration, money and yes, a lot of heartache (watching my fish die) as I experimented with countless fish-only aquariums. I came to the realization that it was a losing battle to achieve this simple goal long term unless…(watch this video)
What I came up with is this 400-gallon marine/reef aquarium. Note the specially selected corals and invertebrates in the aquarium. I am able to keep any type of marine fish I want in this aquarium, even if they are considered unsafe to keep in a reef tank! Indeed, this should be a new trend in marine fish-only aquariums, as all the fish being maintained are quite healthy and very long lived! This aquarium is even more special…until next time.
The grey bin in the middle (sitting on it is a refugium with 20 lbs of Miracle Mud) is used as a common reservoir sump (in which we grow soft corals) for the 95 gallons saltwater planted tank to the left, the 150 gallons surge and tide pool tank in the middle and the 400 gallons marine fish-only tank to the right. The total volume of this combined display aquariums is approximately 700 gallons. These display / experimental aquariums are very unique. Perhaps they exist the first time ever in our marine aquarium hobby / industry. More detail on these aquariums…later.
But here are some facts:
1. EcoSystem Aquarium salt is used throughout our display / experimental aquariums
2. Approximately 5 oz of EcoSystem calcium A, calcium B and calcium C base on the Balling Method is added to the system daily
3. Weekly water change is approximately 4-5 gallons for this 700+ gallons system – siphoning the detritus from the bottom of the grey bin
4. One UV40w is used
5. No protein skimmer is used.
