What should I put in here?

[Michigan Reefer]

What should the first compartment for filtration consists of instead of filter socks? This is a trigger system CR44 sump that two tank outlets feed into. I’ve removed the tray to hold filter socks, because I don’t like cleaning them, which I originally had biospheres in. I took the spheres out to clean out all the detritus and would like to use an alternative. The spheres just kept falling out into the skimmer section and became a pain.

Would other marine blocks or cubes work better since I could stack and remove easier?

Should bio filter type media be the first filtration before the skimmer anyway? - Their is a mesh filter on the tray above to remove large detritus which I assume does what filterwool would to some scale.

Any other options to place inside this compartment?

Here are some photos to a better look.

I’ve placed the spheres in the refugium area for now.

I do have marine blocks cut into baffle before the return. Could I use more in the first area?
Thank you for any advice.

 

[Doctorgori]

Yeah I’d go with the blocks ...may as well