Upgrading To New Tank, Gravel Question?

[sallyann]

I am upgrading to a bigger tank, and was going to use my old gravel, but on looking at it last night, it has deteriated somewhat, it was a silver and blue metallic gravel, and some of the bits of paint are now coming off it, when I vac the gravel, I think it is time to change and have fresh gravel, is this ok?
This will not effect the new tank, as the bacteria live in the filter if I have understood it right!!
So can I just rinse out the new gravel and add it to the tank?, I could add this tonight also, with the water and let it settle overnight.
Can I just ask also why have I not to feed the fish for 24 hours and keep the light off? just interested to know thats all.

 

[2excitedkids]

It is fine to put new gravel in.We just upgraded our tank with new gravel but transeferred filter. we had a tinge of green on API ammonia tests for 2 days ,so did small water change and all well since (now 2 weeks).

Keeping lights off reduces fishes stress levels.One of our cories who seemed fine before move died on day of move(albino bronze).
I think no feeding is to reducve ammonia load and therefore reduce load on transferred filter until 'settled'.
Thay all love their new tank and new fine gravel..looks almost like sand..looks great.

 

[sallyann]

It is fine to put new gravel in.We just upgraded our tank with new gravel but transeferred filter. we had a tinge of green on API ammonia tests for 2 days ,so did small water change and all well since (now 2 weeks).

Keeping lights off reduces fishes stress levels.One of our cories who seemed fine before move died on day of move(albino bronze).
I think no feeding is to reducve ammonia load and therefore reduce load on transferred filter until 'settled'.
Thay all love their new tank and new fine gravel..looks almost like sand..looks great.

Thanks glad your move went well, did you use exsisting water, or all new,?

 

[2excitedkids]

We used all new water, same decorations some of old plants and few new plants.
We used 2 nets to catch them once we had drained some of the water and we caught them very quickly and easily.