What kind of filter are you running on your 30 gallon tank? I run ACs with two sponge filters each, and I've had good luck pulling one of the sponges and putting that in the new tank's filter along with a bag of gravel in a mesh net also in the filter. Then I add my fish, but I tend to stock very lightly.
This may be heresy, but it's worked for me for years.
When I've used a mature filter pad and some gravel I've never had a nitrite or ammonia spike. I also usually add plants from an existing tank as well...so there's likely more bacteria coming over on them, too.
I see it as being similar to adding BS and the fish immediately.
Caution is rarely a bad thing! I do stock lightly, and I probably should have emphasized that. My most heavily stocked tank is my 29 gallon with (if you pardon the excursion into inches of fish land for a moment) would max out at 12" or 13" total length of non-heavy bodied fish.
However, if I was starting the tank with a used filter pad and accessories, I'd only put in about half that amount and only slowly increase the inhabitants.
I too, have had great luck moving media over and not experiencing a cycle. Phaedrus is right though, you have to move over enough bacteria to handle the load you are adding. Since you stock so lightly Eric, I'd bet it works perfectly.
