I`m a bad human

[tinman4109@gmail.com]

Due to a long bout with unemployment my 75 reef is all but dead. One damsel survived. Nitrates are off the chart as expected. I`m wanting to replace all of the sand with new (from PM) and use rock pool grunge to reseed. Should I take all the rock out and let it dry? Will this help drop the heavy nitrate level?:(
Thanks
Tim

[hllywd]

Tim,

There shouldn't be any need to reseed, or replace your sand for that matter. The live rock and sand are still live.

Get all your mechanicals back in order, skimmer, any filters, reactor, strainers, socks, etc..., get rid of any bio-balls you may have in the system.

If you're down to nothing livestock wise, change all the water, and clean the entire system using a gravel vac on the sand... get the system cleaned up. Then do some reading on RC. I just started dosing vodka to bring the nitrates down. I was contemplating a denitrator but after reading and heading more than 1 suggestion that is the route I chose. RC's Reefkeeping online mag has a very good how to article I am following and there are quite a few threads too. I wish I could give a first hand account but I'm currently 5 days into dosing. One other good thing is it makes me look at the tank every day I'm home!

Good luck,
Tim