Jenyphur, first congrats on the tank. I too am new to all this and I set my tank up the same day but whew I am feeling I am going at this all wrong after reading how patient you are being. Also thank you for doing this I am looking forward to seeing what you do with your tank and of course following for advice and suggestions.
My story.......
Bought a 32 gallon Biocube with stand 3/11 as a bday present to myself, bday was 3/12. I purchased salt water, sand, live rocks and an additive (will let you know what it is when I get home) I was given. Left for a business trip Monday 3/13 and had my wife add one cap daily as I was told. I arrived home Sunday 3/19 and went directly to my LFS. My temp was 78.5, ph-8.0, ammonia-0, nitrite-0 and nitrate-0. I wanted to add something my wife and kids were bugging me so I decided on 2 Nemo's and 2 snails. That week everyone was doing fine but I noticed the Nemo's weren't getting along. Just this weekend I went and bought a few more fish and a shrimp. I also had to pull one of the Nemo's out being he was not in good shape he was being abused. I ended up giving him to a friend with an amazing setup and he seems to be thriving. I just ordered the skimmer hoping to add some coral in the next few weeks.