Help with getting my tank back in order!

[bdg7884]

I have a 38 gallon tank that has been running for about 5 years. Its been running without anything in it, besides my live rock for around 3 years. It has only had a few water changes in that span, but I do top it off all the time when it gets low. My light broke 3 years ago, and im looking to get something new. I have no idea what I want, just something to keep easy corals. My question is basically how do I get things back in order so I can start putting fish and corals back in?

 

[meowzer]

WOW...I couldn't imagine having an empty tank for that long.
If you only want easy corals get T5HO lights, how is your water testing?

 

[bdg7884]

Havent tested the water in 3 years... I need to make a trip to the store to get it tested. I dont have my own kit to test it. Would everything pretty much be in shambles with not much being done to the tank in that long?

 

[meowzer]

w/o testing and seeing it I don;t know.....some people never do water changes....If all you have in there is rock, what damage could be done??????
I would start by testing the water....Do you have any pics of the set up??

 

[shrimpy brains]

If you have had nothing in there at all, I would be willing to bet that your bacteria has died. If you get 0 on all your test results, I recommend you add a raw shrimp or something to produce an ammonia source, wait a week or so, and test again.
You may need to totally re-cycle this tank.