If you have any problems with clarity in terms of green water they will assist the filters by clumping it together so the filter media can collect it, thats why you should plumb them in before the filtration unit. They'll also kill free swimming parasites and such like.
Ideally don't go over...
You definately want to remove the Carbon as the previous post states, it will remove the treatment you add.
Its not something to sit out, if you've been treating for 2 weeks and no improvement something is wrong I suspect with the water quality.
So I was wondering what water changes you have...