Advice Needed!!! Downsizing 55g reef to 14g nano

[rhythm9]

Hello, I am in need of some advice! I am currently in the process of downgrading my 55g reef tank into a 14g nano cube (sad I know...) I am in college and while I have been gone over the past year the 55 reef has fallen into pretty shabby shape... I recently have been able to get an apartment and my parents are very excited with the idea of me taking the remaining inhabitants off their hands. My question is in regards to the transfer itself... If I fill the 14g nano cube with only sand and rock from the existing tank, use half new water and half water from the 55 to fill it, and use 75% of the filter material from the old tank, would it be alright for me to place the fish (just a clown and a damsel) into the new cube within about 24 hours without killing them? I have been told/read differing opinions and that is why I decided to ask about my situation in particular. I figure it should be fine since I am using 80-85% old materials from a tank that has been well established for over 4 years and the bio load of the two small fish is fairly insignificant. Please let me know what you think! Thank you!

 

[sweatervest13]

I would use new sand for the new tank.
Your old rock (try to keep the rock wet) and using old filter material should give you enough beneficial bacteria to avoid a cycle. I would get some prime and make sure you test for ammonia daily.
No need to use any existing water from the old tank (it holds little in regards to beneficial bacteria). I would use 100% newly mixed saltwater (RO/DI).