I tested the water yesterday and came up with Ph @ 8.2, Phosphates @ .15, No2-.2, No3-10, Ammonia @ 2.5, Silicates and Phosphates @ 0. Should I do anything or let the cycle take its course?

It sounds like your tank hasnt completely cycled yet. When its complete you'll have zero nitrite & zero ammonia When that happens do a 30% water change with ro or di water and you should be all set. Robert- Thank you for answering my last question (re:drip plates) several weeks back.

I'm humbled by your vast knowledge on reefkeeping. I'm setting up this 180 very slowly, making deliberate steps. On Wednesday of last week I received 136 lbs.

Of live rock (premium figi/Walt Smith distributed) and 50 lbs of live sand. I had filled the tank with ro/di water and mixed with Tropic Marin salt the week before. I dipped the rock upon receiving it into a bucket with salt water (from the tank) and placed it in the tank.

The new skimmer is working great placed in the 40 gal sump with no bio balls and the halides are on 12 hours per day. That all sounds wonderful! More.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.