[Maxx]

the two points of contention in filtration to date with these systems are easier nitrate export and phosphate export.

Well actually, that contentious point of substrate systems is that they DON'T export phosphates...they trap or sink them in, only to release them later when they reach saturation levels. Nobody argues against their abilities to reduce nitrates, thats what makes them so attractive in the first place.

Does anyone have suggestions to accomplish both of these issues?

I can only give you my rationale for using the system that I'm planning. Bare Bottom, (in this case Starboard) allows for higher water flow. This is to keep detritus in suspension long enough to be removed via micron sock in the sump/filter floss (replaced regularly, and often), or siphoning. To date no one I have ever read has argued that more frequent water changes are a bad thing for the systems general health. So when combining the frequent water changes, (weekly is my goal) and the media removal of detritus in the sump, (changed every 3 days or so depending on system needs...if it looks nasty, make it go away.) You have a fairly significant method of nitrate and phosphate reduction/removal from the system. I will also be plumbing in a remote refugium/miracle mud bed. Two reasons for this: 1)...the refugium will give pods a place to multiply w/o preyed upon after corals are introduced to the system...(3 months after rock in place to give pods a chance @ building stable populations to begin with....and if I don't lose my damn mind looking at tank w/ just rock sitting in it. ) 2)...the refugium gives me a place to store calurpa in order to export phosphates and nitrates that might still be in the system after frequent water changes/filter media use. I'm planning that these two systems together will almost completely remove nitrates/phosphates from the system before they hit levels high enough to be a problem. I'm going w/ a sectioned off refugium so that I can replace/remove the miracle mud more easily/completely in regular increments. I'm also using the miracle mud as opposed to sand because of the "leaching" that occurs w/ miracle mud. The mud is 'sposed to contain all sorts of stuff that I really don't have time to list, (where ya at Mike? I know how much you love this stuff, and that you've got the lab reports of the compositional analysis sitting around your house somewhere....trot 'em out guy! ) iron and other minerals are in the list...I havent heard of any ones tank crashing or doing poorly when this stuff is used, but not everyone can say that their reefing success is solely due to Miracle Mud use. I don't necessarily want to get into the giant debate that brings on....( Not that saying that will prevent one from coming on....)...this is just my rationale for using it. Many people dislike Miracle mud for many reasons...two most prominent being that the manufacturer states half of it should be replaced every 2 years, and that this stuff is freakin expensive...(80$ per 10 lb bucket) The fact that the manufacturer has stated that his product will allow a reef tank to go skimmerless hasnt exactly endeared it to people who have spent alot of money on skimmers either....I BTW plan on using a skimmer.
How is this different from having a DSB???
Well, to be honest a couple of ways. First, its not being used as a means of nitrate export, (the Mud...) I'm not trying to get sand bed critters in there, (they'll be there, but I dont care about their population levels), its being used to supplement by leaching some of its minerals into the tank, (which thus far in my research hasnt been proven by anyone to be detrimental to the tanks overall well being) The iron alone will aid calurpa growth assuming phosphate and nitrate levels are sufficient enough to allow algae to grow in the first place. Also, its being replaced in stages on a regular basis. Something people were originally told not to do w/ DSB's. Most importantly, its plumbed remotely, which is not advisable w/ DSBs since the detritus levels won't get to the remote sand bed in sufficient levels to support the large sand bed population necessary to make a DSB work. Its being plumbed remotely in order to facilitate removal, and to be able to take it off line if problems arise.

Are we looking at multiple systems for export?

Basically to sum up everything I said previously...ummm, yeah. Thats what I'm going with.
I apologize if this isnt really along the lines of the intent of this particular thread. Just my thoughts on how to go about this, and myy reasoning for going the way I am. Thought this might be either food for thought, or impetus for discussion.
Nick