Moving from stones to sand substrate

[Hufferpuffer]

Hi

I have a 180l tank that's been set up for a month and is possibly still in the process of cycling. Can't seem to get to 0 ammonia but nitrite and nitrate are at 0 for the last 2 weeks. It is a planted tank with 9 Tiger Barbs, 3 Frogs and I have 3 lovely albino Cories and intend on getting 3 more to make a nice little group. Currently I have small multi-coloured gravel (2nd hand tank came with everything including the stones) but some do have sharp edges and I am concerned my little Cories will be damamged. I want to move to sand. How do I go about this?

My plan was to take out the fish into a 35l tub, empty the tank, remove the bogwood etc, remove the stones from around the plants leaving a thin layer at the bottom for the plants to remain rooted to, add sand, re-fill tank, add fish. I plan on keeping 3 x 35l tubs of the original water so it will be like a 50% water change. I plan on putting the heater in the tub with the fish.

Can this be done? How long will I have to wait for the sand to settle? Am I better off waiting for the tank to finish cycling before doing this? I don't really want to stress the fish out (which I've been told can raise the ammonia) but equally I don't want the Cories to be damaged. I know I should have researched more before I started but I was advised the Cories would be ok on the gravel I have. However, the more I turn it over when doing water changes, the more little sharp ones I find and I want my fish to happy and healthy.

Also, will the frogs be ok on sand?

One other question? How much sand do I need? Not expecting you to work out how much I need to buy, just how deep should it be?

I would appreciate any advice you can give me. Many many thanks,

[Pufferpunk]

I wouldn't change anything until that tank has been stable for at least a month. You really should have cycled it fishless. Try adding Tetra Safestart to the filter.

Sand should be no deeper than 1".

What species of frogs?

[Hufferpuffer]

Thanks for the response. I'm new to all this and was advised to do a fish in cycle. I wish now I had done fishless but can't go back in time.

Yes, I thought I should wait until I am sure the tank is stabble. It's a lot of stress to put them through isn't it?

The frogs are African Dwarf Frogs, totally aquatic although pretty useless in the water. I currently feed them from a plate so I guess this will help prevent them ingesting sand when they eat. I am considering moving them as I always worry they aren't getting eough food.

[RTR]

+1 to PP's comments.

Plus, when you do swap out the gravel for sand, remove all the gravel or it will surface over time and when vacuuming, ending up on top of the sand. Just replant the live plants in the sand.

[Hufferpuffer]

Thanks RTR, will do