Question about bio-load

[rdfriend]

Does anybody know how long a fully established tank can remain viable after all livestock has been removed. I have a 30g tank with 30lbs live rock, 3" sand bed and a couple of small hermits that has been running with filter and flow but empty of fish for about 3 weeks. Would it be safe to start adding fish again?

 

[TropicalNorth]

Yes.
The hermits and anything living in/on the liverock (eg bristleworms, small crustaceans etc) would keep the biological system going. Start off slow with one small fish, wait a little while before adding more and you'll be fine.

 

[rdfriend]

Thanks for the response! That's the answer I was hoping for.