Going to start a new tank need opinions

So I'm getting a 46 bow from someone for 50 bucks so I'm pretty happy about that. I want to combine my 10 and my 24 and just put the inhabitants into it. Do you think if I use some base rock and some of the live sand from the tanks, and each time I do a water change from the old tanks add it to the 46 instead of dumping it I will have much of a cycle? The other question being, I'm not really a fan of sps, mostly just lps. I have a 2x24 t5 ho right now. If I put actnics in those, and get a new 2x39 for the whites think I would be ok in terms of lighting. I'm not a halide fan so I'd like to stick with the t-5s. (my current corals that are more then happy with the 2x24 are acans, 2 types of frogspawn, candy cane, gsp, gonipora, 4 different types of zoas, hammer, and ricordea. The only person I can't seem to make a happy no matter the flow or position is a chalice.)

P.S. I've always wanted to try an above tank sump so I'm going to give it a shot for this tank. ;D

 

if you do 50% wc on both 10g and 24g tanks, you'll have 5g+12g=17g of water to add to 46 tank. then the rest will have to be new saltwater. use baserock with a little bit of LR, and some sand from old tanks. you'll probly have a small cycle if any. I would advise not using actinics and get ati blue+ bulbs as they put out alot of par needed for corals. you'll want the best bulbs for both t5 units.. your chalice & others will thank you. good luck.

a 4 bulb x 39w t5 unit would be ideal for 46 bowfront.

 

Oh I guess I should have added that I'd be doing this over a span of atleast 2 weeks. I have to build the stand and try and sell my 24 on craigslist. So I would probably do a 20 percent on each tank once every 4ish days.I guess I'll buy a DIY four bulb configuration. Hopefully there will be enough room for the 4 39 watts and the 2 24 watts but I think the reflectors are about 4 inches wide at my store so I'm guessing it all wouldn't fit.

 

theres a nova extreme slr 4x39w for $150 at drfostersmith. you'd have to upgrade the bulbs eventually.. but it would get you started and fit.