Filter media question

[sharkweek178]

Right now, I'm still using the 10 gallon starter kit that I got. It included an Aqueon Quietflow 10 HOB filter. I added a mesh bag with some ceramic beads in the back, a sponge cover over the intake tube, and made baffling out of a water bottle to divert the outflow so that my fish aren't getting tossed around by the current.
Should I even bother changing the charcoal filter cartridge for a new cartridge? Can I replace that with some cut up pieces of sponge (something specifically meant for an aqarium) to act as a mechanical and biological filter instead? I'm new to this but from the research I've been doing, I'm getting the idea that chemical filtration is not all that necessary.

 

[FranciscoB]

Unless you are trying to remove medicine that was recently added, then there isn't a need for activated charcoal. Just a waste of money and space in your filter. Sure, you can replace with any other material if you have the space, there is never too much mechanical/bio media.

 

[Oblio]

You can also use plastic scrubbers or foam (e.g. the smiley face pucks) available at any grocery store for a mech/bio filter.

 

[Rocky998]

You can also use plastic scrubbers or foam (e.g. the smiley face pucks) available at any grocery store for a mech/bio filter.

As long as the sponges have no added cleansers to them because some might