Switching another tank over from FW

[DREW]

I am in the process of switching my 15 gal. tank over to SW to use as a refegium & to breed pods. I took everything out except the sand & now am filling & draining it a few times just to rinse the sand.

My question is if I used mostly water from my 29 gal. SW tank to fill the 15 gal. & a couple live rocks for now, would the tank still need to cycle ? if any might have an idea how long it might take to cycle setting it up this way ?
Also, can the live rock go in right away or should I wait ?

I was thinking of just using 5 gallons of water from the 29 to put into the 15. & a couple scoops of sand from the 29 as well.

 

[DREW]

Any thoughts here anyone, anyone, anyone, anyone, anyone...................................................( in the tone of the prof. from Ferris B.? day off.

 

[OrionGirl]

I wouldn't bother using the water--the vast majority of beneficial bacteria and critters aren't going to be transferred with the water, but all the nitrates and other organic wastes will be. I'd put in all new water, the rock, and a good scoop of the sand. What critters are you planning on putting in there? The cycle is only needed if you putting in corals/critters/fish--for breeding pods, the bio-load is really low and won't be significant enough to warrant a full cycle, IMO--the rock and sand should provide plenty of bacteria to support them.

 

[DREW]

Iwas thinking of a pair of percs. but not anytime soon.

In about a year or so I would like to get a mandarian dragonet for my 29 gal. & the 15 gal. would be the main breeding ground for the pods. Would this be possible ??

 

[OrionGirl]

Sorry, my comment was just for the fuge--it won't need cycling, the main tank of course still will. But, you can safely add the fuge and a pod package without it cycling the main system (I'm guessing they are plumbed together--if not, still no worries).

Unless you can get a mandarin that's already taking prepared foods, I wouldn't risk one in a small tank even with a small fuge. They can go through pods very quickly--a 50 gallon tank with about 70 lbs of rock was pretty well emptied of pods in about 2 weeks. If the tank hadn't been plumbed into 130 more gallons, with more rock and no serious pod predators, I don't think mine wouldn't have made it.

 

[DREW]

Thanks for the advice Oriongirl. The tanks are not plumbed together. The 15 gal. is upstairs & the 29 gal . is downstairs. Not sure if that constitutes a refuge. Is it possible to move pods from one tank to the other ? , say like moving live rock between tanks, which is why I thought about using water from the 29 to get the 15 going. or is there an easier way with tanks so far apart ?

If you think this is a bad idea, what do you think would do good in a 15 gal. long ?

Once again thanks for the input Oriongirl, from what i've seen on these forums you are one of the strongest voices here & offer lots of good info. & i appreciate & respect your advice.

& I like the chain links better than the cow