The reason I did a faster acclimation than usual is because I read that post by sk8tr first. The dominos were from the same place so that was another possible reason of the death.
I'm thinking about a QT but not sure about it yet. I might just use the refugium for that.
stingything45 - I said I'm not buying anything else until my tank is stable. I measured my levels with a friends expensive test kits. I just have API's master test kit for saltwater right now. My ammonia was 0 and my nitrate was in between 5 and 10 so I dont know about it not being cycled.
you came to the right place. you'll learn a lot here. develop a thick skin and ignore the overly critical posts. Just remember they all probably made the same mistakes, too.
I'm gonna give you my suggestions. take them or leave them. this is what i've put together from the mistakes i've made in my second go around with this hobby. If you want a GREAT tank for the LONG TERM.
1) qt everything. it will save your main tank from dormant disease and outbreaks. This is the most important thing you can do. Take the time and money to do it right. It might end up costing more than people here say.
this accomplishes two things. It allows you to match the water in your qt to the water from your LFS, perfectly. Temp, pH, salinity. Then all you have to do is float for 10 minutes and transfer the fish (without water) directly into the QT.
Secondly, it allows you to treat prophylactically. You have much better control of parameters in QT without having to worry about LR, CUC, etc.
2) treat everyone. with hypo or copper in QT. I know this is controversial, but the most common post here after DIY LED's seems to be my tank has ich.
3) Anticipate fish loses in QT at the beginning until you get good at it. It's better to lose them in QT than lose them in the display and plant the seeds for long term disese problems.
The time you spend with the QT process allows your main tank to mature while keeping you busy with your new fish.
If your tank is stable, mix new salt and put it in the main tank. do water changes in QT with the display tank water. this assures that you have relatively ammonia free water. (new salt mixes with some ammonia).
good luck