Advice on my QT

dragon99 · Mar 19, 2017

The QT is a 10g tank with a Aquaclear 20 HOB filter (sponge and ceramic media), a air driven filter sponge (air not running though), maxi-jet 400, small heater, thermometer, and 2 ammonia badges.

The sponges and ceramic media were in my sump for over 3 months. I setup the QT tank and moved the sponges over on Sunday. The fish arrived Friday.

Is there any reason to believe this setup would not be adequate for 2 small ~1inch and one 2inch fish?
I received a shipment of fish Friday and lost one Saturday night. The vendor has offered to replace the fish but believes my QT is inadequate and was the cause of the fish's death (ammonia).

I'm already upset at losing a fish that I've been eyeing for months, but now to be blamed as the cause has me concerned.

dragon99 · Mar 19, 2017

I meant to include the ammonia alert badge status. Am I reading it correctly by placing a flashlight behind it?

4FordFamily · Mar 19, 2017

The badge looks good to me, I don't think that tank is inadequate, personally.

ngoodermuth · Mar 19, 2017

Did you test for ammonia with a test kit as well? I use the badges but still check with the kit every few days just to double up

Eta. Your badges look fine. Did the supplier give a specific reason why they felt your QT was inadequate?

dragon99 · Mar 19, 2017

I haven't tested ammonia using anything else. I honestly didn't expect it to be a concern when using seeded sponges.

Humblefish · Mar 19, 2017

I'm being nitpicky, but I personally would use a larger (AC50) HOB on a 10 gal QT. The larger sponge gives you more surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize. You can always dial it down if you feel it's too much flow.

ngoodermuth · Mar 19, 2017

dragon99 said:
I haven't tested ammonia using anything else. I honestly didn't expect it to be a concern when using seeded sponges.

For my 10g QT I used a small piece of live rock, a heater, and a powerhead; no filter or sponge, and had a slight ammonia reading after adding one fish (just a hint of green on the badge and test kit) but it wasn't anywhere near toxic levels. I did a quick wc and haven't seen a detectable amount since. I can't imagine that was the issue, especially since it was seeded three months. I just like to check and double check.

Sorry for your loss