Fuel system cleaning

[morrisminor]

I've started to clean the fuel system on my Ruby,  it having broken down due to muck in the system,  I've drained the fuel tank,  couldn't believe the muck that came out,  blown through the fuel line,  I'm going to clean carb and fuel pump,  I've pushed wire down the inlet in the tank,  I can push it about 9 inches,  is that about as far as you can push ?
I'm going to put a inline fuel filter before the pump to help,  can anyone suggest anything else from experience. 
I'm trying this to save taking the tank out !
Thanks guys