Forgive me if I am wrong but I don't hear of anybody doing any real research in detritus and it's effects of it accumulating and breaking down in reef tanks at least I have not read of any meaningful scientific research. What I do hear is a lot of regurgitated stuff about how detritus will greatly elevate you NO3 and PO4 levels etc if it is allowed to accumulate and break down and that many filters are a haven for detritus build up and therefore can become nutrient sinks. If anybody knows of any real meaningful research and published articles on such I would very much like to read them.
On a slightly different note my guess is there are a lot of reefs out there that are not aware the detritus is a very important coral food for many corals as reported by Eric Borneman
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-03/eb/
Also that fish poop has been found to be a very important food source for corals.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/fish-poop-is-great-coral-food
On a slightly different note my guess is there are a lot of reefs out there that are not aware the detritus is a very important coral food for many corals as reported by Eric Borneman
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-03/eb/
Also that fish poop has been found to be a very important food source for corals.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/fish-poop-is-great-coral-food
