Replacing a filter cartridge with ceramic media

I have a Aqueon 20-30 hob filter. The cartridges seem to plug up within a few days of replacement. i cut the back off of old cartridges and place them inside the new one for a few days when i do change them to seed it. The filter plugs up fast and water just runs over the top. I added the power head with diy filter body and white buffing pads for physical filtration (not to mention my yellow labs love playing in the current).

now for the question, can replace the filter cartridges with ceramic media? the HoB is pretty much just for bio filtration and im under the impression that improved water flow through it instead of over it would be beneficial. I rather like the aqueon since it is fairly quite and priced compared to similar capacity filters that i have encountered