Reseeding live rock

[dvs1]

Hello everyone, I'm not new to saltwater aquariums, but have been out of them for a few years. So here's my story/questions. Several years ago I sold my 180gal tank to someone and it thrived well for him. I recently found out that he hasn't kept it up and every thing is dead. I am getting everything back off of him and was wondering what is the best way to reseed the live rock? I have heard of this stuff called Safe Start. Will this work for me? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Dave

 

[florida joe]

What do you mean everything is dead

 

[dvs1]

For approx. a year there has been no heat, so its always at room temp. His dad only added water no salt, so it's been in tap water for about a year. My thoughts were that since the rock has bees in tap water and in the cold for this long that everything that makes live rock what it is, is all dead. Can it be revived? Like with Bio Spira or Safe Start?
Thanks, Dave
Ps. Joe Thank you for serving our country and protecting our way of life.
Sincere Thanks, Dave

 

[freeborder_01]

you can always just buy a piece or two of liverock from a lfs and toss that in to seed the tank

 

[spanko]

Rock is probably going to need to be cooked at the very least.
By cooking we mean put in a container that has the correct Sg, with a heater, a power head, a skimmer if available, a hang on filter if available and a top to block out all light. before being put into this container for cooking the rock should be diligently scrubbed an rinsed multiple times to get all of the "crud" off. The cooking will allow the die-off that is left on the rock become the basis for a new cycling of the rock. The lack of light will help to keep any nasty algae from growing. Weekly water changes with some swishing of the rock in the water removed will help to dislodge any other material from the rock.

 

[gradymo]

when you say his dad only added tap water, do you mean just to top the tank off?