[BoomerD]

To clarify (I think ) on Cheeks reply, you can continue to run carbon in the AqyaClear, to polish your water, but the only way to use carbon w/o the HOB filter would be to hang a bag someplace in the tank, which could tend to look like crap...in a sump is o.k., but just in the tank...no thanks...
Keep the Aqua-Clear, use it for circulation. When you aren't running carbon, remove ALL of the media, even the sponge. It is a major nitrate producer. Then, maybe once a month, drop in a carbon cartridge or 2, use it for a week or 2 at the most, then toss it out, and your water should look great.