Yes, I do use the same hose between tanks. Believe it or not, however, I haven't done a WC on the 29G since I set it up. Even though I have it well-stocked and feed quite a bit, I've not yet had any issues with water quality (although I ran out of test strips and ordered the liquid test kits). I seeded with water from another tank (shrimpless tank), added the plants, and let it cycle for a couple of weeks, and started adding fish. Three months later and the water is still perfect. I'm knocking on wood, but there hasn't been a single death (other than one of the original guppy fry that I added after week 1). Must be the combo of plants and lots of filtration.
I thought about moving him to the RCS tank, but I have been battling strange deaths in that tank, so he may be safer where he is. I actually considered moving my remaining RCS in with him and taking the chance with all those fish. Contrary to what subtletanks said, I'd put the age of this shrimp at about 6 weeks. I think he has just grown super-fast because of all the extra food in the community tank. The other juvies that hatched in the bag at the same time I bought the pearl gouramis are only a fraction that size. Of course, they spent a few weeks in a bucket before ending up in the shrimp tank.