I'm looking at different sump design and looked at the Great Lakes Aquarium Sump while shopping for an Aquarium.

So the question is Sock and Media Boxes, are they necessary?
Seem like a lot of the sumps I've seen pictures of DO NOT have either, while the GLA has a large Media box.
I'm aware of the nitrate issue if they are not kept clean, but if you do not use one how do you filter the particle out of the water?

Also if your skimming water off the top of your tank isn't most of the crap still just sitting in the bottom of your display tank.