My 46 g setup - how to improve?

don't really understand why the starfish will starve -- my LFS told me they will eat leftover food, algae and detritus in the sandbed as well as algae on the walls -- is this all untrue?

 

Sand Sifting Sea Star (Astropecten polycanthus) Profile

You can try feeding it, but it didn't work for mine (back before I knew better).

 

i can guarantee that many people on this site know way more than your lfs, you need to get rid of the tang asap! that tank is way too small. get rid of the starfish too it will starve!

 

Actually a DSB does matter interms of survival of the star and as far as the benificial organisms providing for the reef.
In a deep enough sand bed, that starfish will not starve to death, there is more than enough organisms in a DSB for it to eat not to mention they too still feed on detrius and decaying orgs and food just as any other startfish. one sss in 50g with a dsb will probably take a very longtime to starve to death.

The worry is not in the diet of the sss imo. The worry is in the microfauna that will slowly be deminished by the presents of this invert. This is the sole reason you will want to rid yourself of this sss.

but even more concern your lighting, you mentioned you have a anemone? and in your last reply you noted you had a 36" but in your original thread you stated "24 watt". Just want to make it clear which one because a 2' bulb is 24w and 3' bulb is 39w. either way anemones are one of the hardest inverts to care for in this hobby and they require strong lighting, prestine water conditions and an established tank.

Please do not take this the wrong way because its understood you came for tips. However I believe you need to take a step back on what your doing. It may sound harsh but you have to take things slow in this hobby and ask alot of questions. You will find that LFS do not always gie you accurate information because there trying to make a sell or somtimes lack the knowledge. 3reef is a good place to be because you have the opinions from experienced hobbists from all over the world and you will always find an answer here.

If I were you, I would take back your nem take back your starfish and trade it for a fish or somthing. get another 2 bulbs on your tank before you even consider an anemone. You may be thinking (screw you) but if that anemone dies in your tank, you can pretty much count on starting everthing all over.

"Trust me" The slower you take it the better it will be. The faster you rush it the more problems you will incounter.

 

Appreciate the tips. My lighting is 36 inches T5 HO 2 bulbs -- maybe I got the wattage wrong but I am sure they are 36 inches and there are 2 T5 HO bulbs. Do I need another 2 bulbs? Going to try to return the SSS but I'm not sure they are going to take it back, but I can try....

 

You should be able to return your life stock, even if store credit only, or parshall credit. If they dont then they are not a good LFS. As any pet good pet store would not want to see a pet go to waste.

As far as your lighting, you will definatily want another 2 bulbs if you want to grow corals successfully. Especially with an anemone. That is not enough lighting for it as it stands.

So your first priority is to get the required lighting. Taking the anemone and star back is your choice but i would highly recommend it. Get somthing diffrent because there is other star fish your can get and the anmone you can always get down the rd.

I would recommend a Red Thorny Star. Thats just 1 option but it is a great choice. Best of luck to you.

 

Lights, sump/fuge, start SPS, watch