Both filter socks and filter sponges can be used to filter an aquarium, but they have different functions. Filter socks are considered the best method to filter a saltwater aquarium, as they can catch much larger pieces of debris and stop a greater quantity of waste. They require more effort than simply putting in filter floss, but it is worth the extra effort.
Sponges can be used both ways, depending on how the system is set up. A fine sponge is better as a biological filter, while a coarse sponge is better for particle filtration 1. Sponge filters are also cheap, easy to clean, and hard to break since they have very few mechanical parts