Catch a baby brittle star (?)

[tlhood]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

And just to make sure, you're not dosing any chemicals or anything? Did you use silicone anywhere and are you sure it was the right kind of silicone?

What you are describing sounds like a chemical problem. Magnesium Sulphate, which people dose to raise mag levels, is a paralytic to inverts and can cause the paralysis you are describing (which can lead to suffocation and death). Petroleum distillates, that are added to silicone as an anti-mildew agent, can have the same effect.

Can you think of any chemicals that have been in or around the tank?

Definitely take the water in to Concept and have it looked at. I'd be gearing up for a water change in any case.

I have not used silicone, and the only thing I put in the tank recently was a reef probiotic booster I got from Pisces. I haven't dosed any chemicals. The only thing I changed today was my carbon filter.