Downsizing to new 16 gallon bow front. Questions

[hemmer]

So I have had my 45 gallon for 5 years now. Now I will be moving for college in the fall and got a 16 gallon bow front. How should I start. Should I move water from my 45 gallon to it or fill the 16 with new water? Also I have fully cured live rock so I should not have to wait for the tank to cycle right? What about my live sand, do I buy new and then seed it or transport this also.

 

[neilanh]

I'd go with new sand (dry, I wouldn't buy "live" sand) and reuse water. As long as you keep the rocks wet the entire transport you shouldn't see another cycle.

 

[iNano]

Ya, you could take rock, water and sand and put it in and have fish in it the next day.

 

[hemmer]

Thanks, I have already started the process.

 

[dannyb]

Add a handful of your old sand to your new sand so the new sand will have basically an injection of good bacteria. Will get it going quicker.