OK FOLKS STARTING OVER

[tigerpaws4ever]

OK WELL IT APPEARS I HAVE LOST ALL OF MY FISH DUE TO NITRATE PROBLEM.NOW HERE IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW:I HAVE A UGF WHICH AFTER MUCH ADVISEMENT I WILL REMOVE.WHAT I NEED TO KNOW IS A)WHAT KIND OF FILTRATION WOULD BE BEST FOR JUST A CRUSHED CORAL SUBSTRATE OR B)WOULD IT BE BEST TO GO FOR A DSB AND SOME LIVE ROCK.
IT IS A FISH TANK ONLY WELL FISHLESS AT THIS POINT.I HAVE SOME DECORATIVE CORAL IN THERE NOW.
SO MY LAST QUESTION WOULD BE HOW MUCH LIVE ROCK IS SUGGESTED WITHOUT LOSING MY DECORATIVE CORAL I HAVE NOW?

 

[broomer5]

Losing fish and having to start over I'm sure is no fun, but don't worry - there is always another chance.
I pick B
Most folks on this board would agree that a DSB with live rock is far superior for a marine tank than most any other forms of biofiltration, and may help to reduce nitrates over the long haul. In a 72 gallon tank, most would like to see between 50-100 lbs rock. That will cost a few bucks though, and if the budget does not allow for that much all at once, you have options.
If I was in your shoes - I would empty everything out of the tank. I'd go with a DSB, 4-6 inches, dry sand or a mix of dry and live sand.
Get as much live rock as I could afford and cycle my tank with live rock, live sand, raw shrimp, or a combination of the above.
All new saltwater as well.
Run the hang on filters with no filter media for added circulation, and add a powerhead or two.
As I end the cycle I'd kick in the skimmer(s).
Monitor the water the whole way through.
When all looks good - I'd wait another couple few weeks and add 1 fish. See how things develop from there.
If I needed more live rock - I'd add very small quantities over several months until I got the amount I wanted. All depends on what your plans are - reef or FOWLR.
Plan ahead - stick to your plan - and don't rush adding anything too fast.
Few people have had serious tank problems by waiting. Ya know

 

[fshhub]

i would agree with broomer, and i woudl like to add that if you lost all your fish, are you sure it was due to nitrates, most fish can withstand very high levels of trates, but not tries or ammonia, i had ours well over 100 for some time(our old tank with cc), anyway if there is a chance it was something else tehn you probably shoucl make sure to find the prob, but if it was trates, then change as mcuh as possible