Question: The MySQL ClearDB service in Bluemix catalogue is offered with one single plan with a very limited capacity (5MB and 4 connections) and for free. 
Do you have a recommendation for an application that requires a mysql db with a higher capacity?
Should I run an hybrid application with the database on Heroku and the app on Bluemix?
thanks

Answer: 
Although the clearDB service in Bluemix only currently offers the 'Free' Spark plan you can go directly to [cleardb.com](https://www.cleardb.com/) and use one of the larger paid plans. In Bluemix you can then create what is called a `User-Provided Service` using the `cf cups` command. The `User-Provided Service` needs to be populated with the connection and credential details needed to access the clearDB service you have created directly on [cleardb.com](https://www.cleardb.com/)

There is more information in the Bluemix [docs](https://www.ng.bluemix.net/docs/services/reqnsi.html#user_provide_services) on how to run the command.

The obvious drawbacks of this are that you need to manage the service details yourself in Bluemix, so if clearDB change the server name for example then you manually have to update the `User-Provided Service` in Bluemix. In reality this is not likely to occur that often (if at all). The other drawback is that you will have a separate bill from clearDB rather than one single bill from Bluemix. 

I believe in the future more plans for the 3rd party providers should be made available within Bluemix.
I heard Bluemix is in a process of providing more plans. In the meantime, You can create the DB directly in <http://www.cleardb.com>. And then, use the database from your Bluemix application. The problem might be VCAP\_SERVICES. In stead of VCAP\_SERVICES, you can define user-defined service variable, then read the setting from your application. Please refer to this documentation.

<http://docs.cloudfoundry.org/devguide/services/user-provided.html>