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If I decide to go with a bigger tank, should I transplant my existing water, gravel etc. right away in order to excellerate the cycle time for the new tank? Or does it make more sense to get the larger tank started for a couple weeks and then transfer the items so that the existing bacteria are not overwhelmed by water right out of the tap? I am getting hooked on the hobby and feel very limited with my 18 gallon.

Thanks

When you say bigger, how much bigger are you thinking about?

To start off with the filter you are using for the smaller tank would be totally useless for a much larger tank. The filter would possibly hold most of the bacteria to start off the new tank. Yes the gravel, and the water would help, but the filter would have to start from scratch again. This means there would be a cycling process going on again and depending what fish you all ready have it could be rather dangerous for them.
I would start of from new with some danios using the gravel and some of the water to get it started and when it is all settled down transfer the fish to the larger tank and use the small tank for a hosiptal tank.

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Keith

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you have the right idea, but as keith pointed out, the size of your new tank will help a lot as to whether what you want to do will be effective.

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I was thinking 50 gallon which is in fact what my existing filter is rated for. Granted, I would be at the maximum rated limit of the filter, which may not be desireable. Thanks for the info.

Top, while your filter may not be all you're looking for, it still holds much beneficial bacteria. Once the new tank is up, take some water as well as the gravel from the smaller tank and add the filter. It should take off from where you were. Leave the filter there until cycling is complete and nitrates are present. In the meantime, If you wish to upgrade your filter run them together, that way you have the bacteria from the old filter while seeding the new one.
If you don't plan on using the smaller tank right away, absolutely put the gravel right away into the new tank to take advantage of whatever bacteria is there. Do not be surprised at all the gunk you may kick up during the move, but give the filter time to pick it up. A very thorough gravel vac will help before you do.