Cant you over come with with a deep sand bed?
Ive had my tank up for a little over 3 1/2 months, after month 2 , (and constant weekly 10% water changes) Ive had 0 to negligible ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate levels. Now I think one of the reasons is because of my deep sand bed (3 to 4 inches), and a reasonable amount of LR, so is it that BAD to have Bio Balls? As long as lets say you have the anerobic bacteria to balance it with?