Sorry to hear about your sps. I was really hoping it would take. Although I was wondering how they would do being introduced to a new tank. I wouldn't give up on the idea, I think with the tank being fully cycled and established they will do fine. Especially with the addition of the protein skimmer. And I second the idea of an external filter filled with live rock. At least some in the rear chamber of your tank.
I also find that carbon works wonders for my sps. When I first tried to keep sps a couple years ago, they all died within a month. I gave up for a while but recently started running a lot of carbon and got a few acro frags and they are doing amazingly. I give the credit to the tank being established for a couple years and the constant use of carbon.
Just my $0.02. I see you have quite a bit of experience and I don't want to sound arrogant.