Tank cycling question

Right now I have my sump up and running with an interim eheim canister filter. The sump has my return pump and a large fuge (24") I converted a 55 gal to my sump system. I got this up and running a few weeks ago with 30#LFS live rock, live sand and my old fine sand bed that I initially started with, so it has a DSB. The water and rock were taken from my initial set up on my tank. After further learnings I realized my whole set up was way wrong and had to reapproach the solution.

My DT is in another room and I just got it replumbed, filled with live sand and about 45# of dry live rock. Two weeks ago I got this up and running for a few days but per my errors I needed to restart. I drained the water out but left in the sand. I put the water and rocks in a tub with the tank water, a heater and a couple of pumps. Finally two days ago I got my plumbing for the DT done, filled it up with the old tank water and live rock.

Yesterday I tested my parameters for my sump and everything looked great. 0 Nitrates, 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, 0 Phosphates 8.2 pH and 420 Ca. Tonight I checked my DT and it appears to just be starting the cycle. Ammonia is .25 PPM, Nitrates 10 PPM, 7.8 pH.

This weekend I hope to be able to get my sump and DT plumbed together. As a part of my rebuild I needed to make a lower stand for the sump. I had to lower it 24". So I need to drain it, move it and plumb it.

So, here's the question. When these two tanks get plumbed together will it hinder or enhance the cycle for the DT?

Additionally, would keeping the established canister filter (its been running for 2 months with ceramic media, so I am confident it has good bacteria in the system) running on my sump for the past few weeks hindered the development of the DSB? Would it be best to just turn it off for now and let the live rock, sand and system just start doing their own thing?

Thanks, sorry for the diatribe. I just needed to vent the frustration with the start of this hobby. This is my third restart. 2.5 months in and haven't even got a tank really running. My haste and less than thorough forethought has bit me in the ass.

 

It can only help. The rock in the sump has a good bit if biological filtrate (nitrifying bacteria) that will continue to colonize and reduce your nh4 levels while supplying some free floating bacteria to your DT.

 

Agree the sump will help. It would also benefit the sump to be plumbed in and running during the cycle.

As for the canister, I'd recommend ditching it. Having run for two months is no guarantee that it holds beneficial bacteria; in fact, it's most likely sterile, as once the bio-filter does develop, it needs to be continuously fed an Ammonia source. Furthermore, once you start stocking your tank, the canister will require frequent cleaning, as detritus trapped in the media will still break down into DOCs, thereby increasing Nitrate production. If you need something to remove organics, a skimmer would be 1000 times better, as it completely separates organics from the water and is much, much easier to maintain.