First off, HI and welcome safecracker!
Does the whole top come off? I've just assumed that it did for proper maintenance but I've also never seen one first hand, only pic's.
What is the it about the filter that makes it cheesy? Or better yet, what type of filter is it? And how is power provided to the tank? Any provisions for a heater?
That's never good about the NH3/4 levels, but if you've only had it for a month it's not overly surprising (cycling).
Chris