Is this exhaust? You want your fan pulling air through the carbon filter not pushing out from the inside. Think you want your carbon filter in the tent
Yes, you want to pull air through the filter so the prefilter catches small particulates. Blowing air through it from the inside out can cause it to plug
You want it pulling air through the prefilter first. It's on most filter manufacturers instructions. You have a filter for more than 1 reason, it also keeps your fan clean. It's like wiping before ya poop, surevyour doing something but it's ass backwards.