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

[hillegom]

Your calcium level should be between 380 and 450, so do not add anymore until the levels come down. Check the levels before you add things. Also check your alkalinity. It goes hand in hand with calcium. Save up for a refractometer to check the salinity, it is way more accurate than a hydrometer and is one of the basic instruments one should have. Sometimes you can pick one up for about 25$ from someone getting out of the hobbly.

[rocketlily]

I have a 10 gal in the nano contest and I did add to it the first month. However, the rock and water came from a tank in the house I had running for months. It was like taking a little piece out out of the big tank and separating it. Unfortunately, with the short time for the contest (only 6 months) it doesn't give you time to cyle new rocks and water.

Good luck with everything and when you hear someone tell you to take it slow, it is really good advise.