Cryptic zone sump?

Hey guys and gals. I've read a few forums on cryptic zone sumps and I'm actually pretty interested in it. About 2 weeks ago I had a return pump in my sump give out. Well I took the pump from my skimmer and have been using that. I wasn't getting much skimmate anyways so I didn't really think it would matter. Well I've been watching every thing and nitrates, nitrates, ammonia, all 0. Still getting sps growth and of coarse gsp is spreading like wildfire. I've noticed I've had a lot of new sponges pop up. Not pineapple sponges either. So my question in this long drawn out paragraph is, what are the benefits of them, and does anyone recommend them?

I've got a sump that's running one chamber right now due to a leak on the other end. I'm going to get a new one soon. I'd like to add about a 4 inch sandbed and some live rock and chateo. Do I need anything else? Do you clean the sump like a display? Or do you leave it alone. Is there a bad long term effect of not using a skimmer? I know people have success with them. I'm not arguing that. It's proven they do what they are intended to do. Me, it's been eh either way. My tank was about as good before as it is now. Except now I have more sponges. I'm not trying to be cheap, I do plan on getting a new pump, but I'm always down for trying new stuff that works. Any and all opinions and arguments are welcome!:cool: