Hi Steve,
Nice to see you here buddy!
I have to disagree about the mineral salts in peat though. An initial rinse of peat with RO water produced a high TDS reading of close to 300! (This experiment was confirmed by other growers as well). This may not affect Nepenthes too much, but for Drosera it is not good at all.
Peat may be rinsed placing it in a 5 gallon bucket, and add pure water (distilled, rain, or RO) until it forms a goop. This is scooped up, wrung out and placed in another bucket and the process is then repeated until a low TDS reading is achieved, usually 2 rinses does the trick. My own method is to make up pots well in advance of their use, and let the seasons rains leach them out for me.
With a low TDS, there is much less algae and bryophyte problems. It still happens occasionally. If you are getting a lot of bryophyte germination, then it is a good indicator that all is not well with your mix.
Also, peat stelilization in the microwave on high for 4-6 mins will destroy any spores. I use this method for seed with a potential for a long wait to germination, but keep your eye on it to make sure it doesn't dry out and burst into flame.
I agree with you regarding pearlite, and greatly prefer silica sand to make the mix in all but a few instances where greater aeration is needed, and I use it only because I have no access to pumice or laterite. Note that the sand or pearlite likewise should be rinsed for optimal results: as far as total dissolved solids go, the lesser the better.