Just a article I found on my bristlenose googling today that might be interesting for you guys about leaving the detritus in the tank reither than syphoning
"A batch of fry was placed in a 100 lt tank in which we left the detritus collect in the bottom in large quantities (at least 5 cm in depth). Experienced growth rate of 33% more and better colours compared to those raised as usual with food and clean enviroment" Full article at
http://www.mchportal.com/fishkeeping-mainmenu-60/stock-the-inhabitants-mainmenu-79/breeding-hints-and-tips-mainmenu-83/460-keeping-and-breeding-ancistrus-sp-3.html
interesting read maybe i should quit the tank vacuming. Anyone have thoughts on this?

hrmmm, not too sure about that site. They go against some of the commonly accepted ideas of bristlenose care.

In regards to the detritus issue. there is actually some evidence to support this. the thing is having all that waste in the tank will require very good filtration. enough to deal with the huge input of ammonia from the waste.

Not a bad read but like doug said I think you'd have to have good filtration to deal with all the waste. I'm not sure about the comment "have bred over 50 wild caught individuals" as it was my understanding that the common bristlenose was thought to be a hybrid or something...

not quite a hybrid, more like a fuzzy grey line between two species that can interbreed. Kind of like dogs and dingos.