Fish-less tank resurrection ?

[JohnnyTabasco]

I need some input on this - I'll try to keep it short.

I came back from a holiday and my fish were dead in spite of my best efforts. (sad day!)
Lots of algae all over, but all the corals are fine.
I cleaned the tank and left all the filtration on (skimmer is working like a horse) .

My thought and question is:
Will the nutrience deplete if I keep the tank fishless for a period of time?
And is it a valid strategy to "reset" the tank??

 

[Maritimer]

I would say that nutrients would deplete, based on what you put into the tank (coral food?) and what you take out (skimmate, water changes, physical removal of algae...)

#reefsquad, any thoughts?

~Bruce

 

[Brew12]

I think it really depends on what you are trying to do with your tank "reset".

 

[redfishbluefish]

Why did the fish die? Lack of food, equipment malfunction, water parameters off?

I can't answer from actual experience, but if it were me, I start by feeding the corals....maybe once a week.

 

[melypr1985]

I would just feed the corals once or twice a week. Get control of the algae and if you never QT'd your fish or corals before this I would go a full 76 days fishless before starting over with the fish.

 

[Valkyrie]

^^ +1

 

[JohnnyTabasco]

Thanks for the input.
My theory is, that one fish died because it had problems with the auto feeder. That set of a chain reaction that killed the other fish...
But I honestly dont know why. The feeder worked and the water parameters were off - but that's to be expected when 3 fish dissolved in the tank.

I don't feed anything right now!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Will the nutrience deplete if I keep the tank fishless for a period of time?

yes. The bacteria will consume the nutrints. The coral will too.
+1 to all the above.
And yea feed little to none IMO. Base that on nutrient levels and livestock that may "need" to be spot fed.
WC will be your friend on many levels to reset. Were it me in a fallow period, Id get ready for a deep clean to aid in the reset.