Back when I started reefing in 2000 it seemed "everyone" was stating that sponge filtration/mechanical filtration were "nitrate factories", pull out that sponge was echoed on the forums as well as pull those other detritus collectors (bio balls out).So far 36.7% don't use prefiltration. Maybe I should have said if you don't use it state why.
They need constant maintenance, they say, let the sand bed process the detritus naturally.
Many sumps back then were just converted trickle filters, place for a sponge block or two. I really never heard much about using socks until maybe ten years ago. I had used industrial sized socks before a UV sterilizer at a government hatchery, every few days swap them out.
I don't feel I have an aggressive removal routine for detritus. My DT water passes to the chaeto refugium, then to the oversized skimmer. I occasionally blast my rocks with a turkey baster, maybe once a month, skimmer goes nuts. I may siphon a bit off of my shallow sand bed twice a month. Maybe I'll clean the sump yearly, maybe not. My nitrate and phosphate levels are the lowest they have been for ten years.
I don't use any type of prefiltration like sock or sponges because of my sump/space limitations and I really don't want to be pulling a sponge and cleaning it every few days.