I doubt that you'll find anyone using a UGF. It is generally not effective with the  substrate most use. You WILL find some with a plenum which is basically a UGF without the F. It creates a real nice anaerobic area for all sorts of great stuff. But, I get the feeling that you don't care for that kind of thing.

Suzy, love your DSB. It will love you back. Could you imagine what would happen if the DSB in nature ever got stirred up by anything? Along a reef I would guess that those millions of years of organice built up would just make it all nasty. Good thing that there aren't any hurricanes or currents or people around to stir things up or all those toxins might get released. Oh, wait.

The alkalinity and calcium will help alot a good investment.  Suzy about the Nitrate conversion thing Nitrate is what most fertilizers are made out of it isn't bad for the fish if kept in small quantities, But it is great for you algaes which use the nitrate to form their cells.  A refugium will take care of most of your nitrates, as long as it can grow.   Just like cow manuer in your Garden. 

That's my tid bits I pick up from living in Brigham City.   Suzy I would definantly follow your idea on hiding your DSB if you have one.  although I deem them not nessesary.  and I wonder does anyone out there have an UGF??? since I was a kid I haven't seen one in a salt water tank. 

jglover wrote: ...IMO forget the Deep Sand Bed it will get rid of nitrates yes but at a cost first and formost it is very ugly when the sand turns green and stank.  second and probably more important it is an anerobic chemical process it doesn't use oxygen it converts nitrates into harmless N2 but some biproducs are axcidic and toxic to all life.  that is why some tanks with DSB crash after a while if you stock up with Plant life it will convert nitrates into plant material with no chemical toxins a refugium is an ideal substitute for a Deep Sand Bed.  Fish Aquariums were kept for years using an undergravel filter which prevented anerobic activities and they have always worked fine while I don't endorse an undergravel filter Don't get a deep sand bed.  unless you are willing to make frequent water changes and hide the bottom half of your tank.  IMO don't get any more animal life and just wait it out until you get you cyano bacteria starting to take over your tank.  and buy some more snails.

IMO, strictly YO. People have also bee using deep sand beds (DSB) for years without "crashes". Also, I would disagree that a plenum or undergravel filter type setup prevents anerobic "activities" unless it is actually pulling through the substrate. Using macro algae for denitrification IS proven to be a good idea and using a cleanup crew is always good, but your opinion seems rather strong regarding DSB.

But that is just MO.

Skyetone, (pardon the intrusion on your advise column Mark, you're doing great as usual)

LS and LR are two of the very basic fundamentals of a successful system. Something to keep in mind is, if you take LS and add it to suitable NLS (not live sand) over a very short time you will have a complete batch of LS. So, if you take some additional substrate which does not need to be "live", you can add substrate and create a DSB with what you have. Also, if you want sand from other established systems, just say so. I will bring a bag and I am sure that there are dozens that will bring you a bit if you want some. It really doesn't take much. And YES, there are many opinions on a substrate depth, but MOST will agree with a 2-4" theory. I say the deeper the better.

Also, IMO after a set amount of time (who knows exactly how long) ALL of the rock in your system will be or already is "live rock". I will guarantee that there are a variety of organisms that are growing on the rock including bacteria, algae, who knows what else. I disagree that it has to have sporradic coral popping up for it to be LR.

As for the lighting, I know (we ALL know) how expensive proper lighting can be. However, it is the Achilles Heel of a successful system. Can you survive on what you have, maybe but you propably won't have the healthies system in the world. Also, growth in your system will be rather stagnant. Take Mark up on his offer and possibly post to see if anyone else has some odds & ends that they can spare or sell cheap.

Good luck!