[would like copepods and bacteria to do most of the work in filtration but I will add and do what I have to do to maintain the corals and diversity of life. ]
For copepods & bacteria to flourish, you need MULM. @Paul B writes about MULM in his book.
I think one of the most important, and least understood or mentioned things in a reef tank is "mulm". That stuff that grows in the dark portions of a tank if it is set up long enough. "Mulm" is a combination of algae, sponges, bacteria, pods, worms, detritus, poop and any thing else that can...
www.reefsanctuary.com
I try to keep it simple: detritus is carbon source, mixed in with minerals plus bacteria that when given oxygen and light becomes the “microbial highway” that moves 70% of carbon up the food chain.
Mulm is the best for Tigriopus californicus nauplii (larvae). They do quite well in it. It's a nice bacterial, algal, decomposing organic waste mix that they feed on.
