Sorry to say this Al, but if your foams are getting plugged up with detritus, your tank is at least a bit dirty
The gunk in the foams is proof. However, you're not alone. You're just seeing it now because you have the foams now.
Nothing wrong with a little mechanical filtration, IME. It helps collect stuff so you can export it from your system. I clean my foams weekly during water changes. If yours need cleaning more often, just clean them well in tapwater and stick them back on your MaxiJets.