Hi Everyone, just Starting Out:)

[bullit67]

First off welcome to the forum and the hobby .

I see you listed a skimmer if you have a skimmer you dont need the filter you can run the filter untill the water clears up then get rid of it they can be a nitrate/phosphate trap you can clean them in tap water but once you refill the filter put some declorinator in the filter. Stir up the sand bed once in a while to get rid of any gas build up in the sand. the reason people get away with putting stuff in there tanks sooner is they are using rock,sand and water from a set up tank. This negates your cycle. 4-7 months seems a little long befor you can add livestock I dont know who gave you this advice more then anything it depends on how your tank is cycling keep an eye on your water peramiters i.e. test regularly .

Good luck