Neglected Tank :(

[Mar0811]

I have had my aquarium (46 gal) for nearly 5 years. At this time only have 2 clown fish. Did have a yellow tang (died after 3 years) and flame angelfish (2 died early in the tank). It has been nearly 2 years since the tank has been getting routine maintenance and water changes. I was not living in the area and parents took over tank. The salinity is very high, and can only imagine the rest. I have cleaned the filter, replaced filter sponges and getting new protein skimmer Thursday (previous one stopped working). I will have water analyzed tomorrow. Doing water changes as we speak. The clownfish seem to be doing well. I have attached a picture of the back of the tank. Any recommendations on best way to clean that? Have a few turbo snails. I am still new to this even though I had the tank a few years. Clownfish are tough! Any advice is appreciated.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

From the pic what I see doesnt look to bad if it has been neglected like you say. I have seen much worse. Someone else might be able to give you some advice that's not coming to mind, we can see what your parameters say when you test. You said the salinity was high, what is high? It has been running for how long without testing? Just curious because it drives me nuts not knowing my parameters at least once a week.

 

[Toofattofish]

Welcome back.
Make sure you go slow changing the salinity back to ~1.025. Fish seem to tolerate a decrease in salinity/osmolarity better than an increase but there's no rush so take your time.
The rock looks okay. The sand I'd throw out as it tends to build up in organics over time if not being turned over. At some point I'd empty everything into buckets and clean the glass with vinegar and a scraper or a razor blade (assuming it's glass) if feasible. That gets a much better clean that cleaning it full of salt water IMO

 

[mcarroll]

Just clean it manually – finger pinching where needed as well as scrubbing and siphoning for the bulk of it.

Blast the rocks with a powerhead to loosen any settled debris – siphon that out as well. Do the same with the sand if it seems dirty – you can check it in a couple spots first by swirling your finger or the handle of a net or something around in a few spots.

If it seems like "a lot" then work over the rock and sand in stages rather than doing it all at once.