Seapen Dead. Why?
 

I have a 70 gallon tank filtered with a Emperor 400, and a wet/dry system that is rated for a 125 gallon tank. My ammonia is 0, Nitrites 0, ph 8.4, Nitrates .5 ppm and temp 76F...

In the tank I have 3 Firefish, 2 Green Chromis, and three cleaner shrimp.

The Seapen was fine all up until I noticed it has been "deflated" for two days. upon looking at it I noticed that the stem part at the bottom was ripped open and oozing... I promptly netted it and inspected it in a bucket. While netting it the feeler things were falling off.

I am very upset by this, as I liked the Seapen. Any ideas what caused it to die? Would the shimps damage it like that?

I am clueless.

Thanks.

Wow that really stinks. I have one and I just love it the way that it opens up is amazing. Mine shrinks down into the sand, and has moved on it's own twice in the last year. I am not quite sure what could have caused this to happen but I'm sure somebody will help you out.

What type of substrate? CC can tear the colony when trying to retract.

I also remember reading that Sea Pens also require a fine sand bed that is as deep as the creature is tall to be happy long term in the aquarium.

Sorry to here the bad news.

thanks. I have dolomite and crushed coral for substrate. Also I have in addition to live rock, dead decorative coral. could that be what did it in?

also do I have to worry about the "feelers" that fell off? I mean I cant possibly find all of them without disrupting my tank...

hey sting sorry to hear about ur loss
glad to see another local person been in the hobby for a long time if u have any pics please post them

randy