Steve writes...

Hi Bob,

For the last few years I haven't been keeping abreast of any new developments in the marine aquarium trade, as I've been busy trying to complete my Bsc. My reef has been doing it's own thing very successfully without too much of my attention. During the past holidays I joined some online forums and eventually posted the history of my tank. I soon discovered that the idea of a plenum has been mostly abandoned. I felt a bit like a footprint in the sand of time, as apparently there are reports that suggest that my plenum system doesn't work! It's a good thing my tank can't read, as my plenum system has been established for over ten years now. Instead many seem to now prefer to fill a bucket with sand and throw it in the sump. I guess if it works for them who am I to stand in the way of what they call progress.

Anyway my question is, do you have any thoughts on the remote deep sand bed or any links to any descent articles. I am particularly interested in the microbial nature of the lower levels in these buckets and any ill effects that may be attributed to the products from those lower areas?

Thanks

Steve