connecting new tank to current old tank

I have a 15gal nano softies only tank with just one BG chromis. i have a spare 12gal long tank in which im planning to grow some nice macros. i have an eshopps nano overflow box. the new tank im planning to add some crushed coral dead sand only as the macro will be coming attached on rocks from my friends old cycled tank. My plan is to connect the tank on day 1 and then let the pumps run for 3 days, then add the macros or should i cycle the tank for 2 weeks and then connect?

 

definitely let it cycle. With that size tank you will have an impact if you don't. I plumbed a fresh 40b into my 210g system and have regretted plumbing it prior to letting it cycle a few times since. And I have a lot more rock and water to offset a change than you do.

 

well then i cycle using ammonia chloride and then once ammonia and nitrites are 0, then ill add macro. and once nitrates of my current tank and new tank are same, then ill connect it. thats ok?

 

Since you are connecting it to an established system with corals in it, you'll want to make sure all parameters are the same to prevent any kind of shock or stress, but yes, that will work.

 

That sounds good to me. At least make sure the nitrite and ammonia are 0.

 

there was another way that i forgot to mention. what if once my tank is ready (without cycling) then i add an overflow box in my current tank connect it to my new tank and i use an aqualifter pump for a month so thats how the process will be very slow and anyways i change 10% water every week in my tank. any comments on this method?

 

It would only hurt your main tank and not really do anything to speed up the cycle of the new one.

You could plumb them together fully then add the new substrate at like a handful per week or two. It is the dry substrate that is the issue. It is going to cycle, but of add it slowly the rock in the main tank should be able to process out the additional bio load as long as you add it over a long enough time period.

That is the thing about nanos, any small change could make a huge impact.

 

So what do you suggest? howmuch should i add or what if i keep it bare bottom?

 

is it ok if i keep the other tank bare bottom? then just plumb it without cycling??

 

anyone?