re: Brick Paver Install Question

I built a paver patio of about 600 sq ft about 10 years ago. I didn’t use any stones though. I dug out the area about five inches, compacted it down as much as I could, then added 3” of sand, compacted that down, then laid the pavers on top of some pads (I forget what they were called but I think they were intended to be used as paver base). It held up very very well the rest of the time I was in that house, which was three more years. Do t know what it looks like now, though.