Personally, I'd start all over again. Nix the UGF which is a BAAD thing for reef tanks. Layer with a bed of aragonite and let nature take its course concerning the nitrogen cycle. Make sure you have a great skimmer, adequate H2O circulation, and reasonable lighting, and you're set.

Just one thing to think about when you do decide to remove your UGF. A lot of your biological filteration is occuring in your gravel b/c of the UGF. When you remove it you will be disrupting this dramatically. You mention having LR which also supports biological filteration but I didn't catch how much. If you have plenty of LR to compensate for the loss of the UGf then you are in great shape.

Additionally, I would recommend removing the UGF when you upgrade. Just tear down the tank one time. BTW, I'm amazed at your perseverance in cleaning your tank. You'll feel like maintainance is a piece of cake now that you don't have to do that "intense cleaning".

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Shelly

I have always run an undergravel filter, and with good circulation over the detrious does not build up too much stuff. My levels stay at zero, and I personally think the tank looks better when it is kept clean.

Brewster



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"No TV and no beer make Homer go some thing something........" H.S.

hey brewster, thanks for the fresh perspective on this topic. its nice to hear of a tank that goes against the norm and works, it shows us all that the main way we do it is not the only RIGHT way to do it!!!

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Whoever invented salt water aquariums should be shot for taking all my money...everyday, oh well gotta have something to do!

Originally posted by Doh:
On a slightly different note, FishTechie - how do you get on with your Gobies sifting your sand? Do they dump it on your corals?

I've considered getting one on multiple occasions, but have heard horror stories about them killing corals with their sand sifting ways... I've heard they do a great job though.

my blue cheek goby sifts the topmost layer of the sand and then swims away, this does sometimes spray sand on rocks and anything else around but they have never even come close to burying anything, unless they are going to be living under it, this is when they want to bury it. Now my Diamond Goby is another story, he will also only bury the particular rock he is living under, but he will move as much substrate as he needs, i have seen mine move about 5 lbs to cover his rock.

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My 180 Utopia: Info Updated 6/18/00