Good summary!
Here's a point on which I'm still struggling: Is some detritus in the tank a bad thing (other than, of course aesthetically)?
Experienced fishkeepers argue both ways...
I've been a vigilant detritus-siphoner for many years and some really skilled folks have told me to chill out
Matt
Matt,
I honestly think it depends on what is causing the detritus, driftwood dust for example is unsightly, but not really an issue. The same holds true for leaf litter. You can get away with more detritus in soft acidic water IME.
I use to believe "less technology, more biology" which is why matten filters interested me. But now I am of the opinion of the less detritus the better. I can't imagine any good can come of junk collecting in the tank and just rotting. Especially if you are talking uneaten food and poop. If you can get that poop and uneaten food out of the water BEFORE it makes it into your filter and breaks down then that is less "nutrients" making it into the water column.
Secondly, if you look at people that keep sensitive species (Freshwater rays, reefs, etc) exporting nutrients is a big part of the care. Which involves removing detritus, not just catching it.
My ideal filter catches particulate (poop, food, etc) and settles it so that I can remove it via siphon. But beyond doing a sump, its hard to come up with something that catches the nasty and is also easy to clean.
Always shocks me what box filters with filter floss pull out of a tank!