I've just started with powerheads.
Got an AC70 for a 27 gall tank which didn't go down well with my two F8s. The one that ventured out at all looked at me as if to say 'what's with the tsunami?' there was a Fluval 3+ in there as well.
So removed the Fluval and changed to Aquaclear 50 which seems to be doing fine.
If the filter gets cleaned once a week there should'nt be a problem with clogging, I hope!
Carbon can clear up water but it also removes food from your plants which may not be what you want. I use it sometimes in my freshwater tank to clear up the yellowing from the bogwood, but not always.