I've done an awful a lot of research in the use of mangroves and plant life to filter water in a refugium. Its hard to find any solid evidence that mangroves are a vaiable solution. Calurpra and other plants are a very good way to control water quality(however grow quickly). From the reading I've done and all the reports I've read about Mangroves (not pertaining to aquarium use) that the shear volume of trees one would need to control the water quality without the use of any other type of filtration would be silly. However I still recommend and plan to use myself Mangrove trees and Calurpra in my sump for the biologically benefits. Plankton and the like. Then you just need to be careful not to skimmer off all the good stuff as well as the bad
Mircle Mud is expensive, works well but I am happy with DSB also. Won't see as fast results but is this hobby about speed?