It has not worked well just putting the carbon in filter bags in an HOB. You need the waterflow to flow through the carbon at a rate of 100 gph for a 10 gallon tank. If you want to do a Hiatt system then you would need to set it up correctly or it will not work. A carbon reactor or a phosreactor with the right size powerhead would work well as long as it is large enough to hold the 1.5 lbs of carbon you would need.

Regardless of the method you use it sounds like you don't want any problems but also are rushing to get the tank setup. Those two things are rarely compatable in this hobby.