UG Filtration use And Sand Sifting Starfish fdg.  2/22/08
Hi,
<Hello Richard>
I have a 200L tank which currently holds 6 Hippocampus kudas and a Blue Linckia (plus a handful of small critters thrown in for good measure).
I'm filtering the tank through an undergravel filter combined with an external canister filter on one of the UG uplifts (the other two are just
running on air).
<The UG may/will cause big problems for you down the road. Do read here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/ug5proscons.htm>
I'm fairly new to a marine setup, having come from the freshwater world where I always ensured that I had something in the tank which rummaged
through the gravel to remove the bigger particles & stop calcification. I don't have anything in this tank however to do that, so I'm looking around
at what I can get for the job. I was considering a Sand Sifting Starfish, but I'm concerned that I'll end up having some kind of issue with the
filtration (although I imagine it's not going to eat the filter - I hope! - or stop the bacteria working).
<This would be a good addition in keeping the substrate churned. Keep in mind that the substrate should be coral sand. Crushed coral and the like isn't going to make the starfish very happy.>
Any thoughts on this? I've read up in a few places about these starfish, but never in relation to UG filtration.
<As long as the "sand" bed is 1 1/2" deep or more, you should be fine in keeping this starfish. It may require additional feeding if enough nutrients aren't available.
I have one myself and whenever the starfish exposes itself for any length of time, it's telling me it's hungry. My trick is to use a syringe minus needle, and inject blood worms into the sand just below it. Believe me, it doesn't take long before the starfish buries himself and starts munching on the worms. Must have a great sense of smell.>
Many thanks in advance,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Richard

Feeding a Sand-Sifting Star (1/26/04)
Hi Bob, <Steve Allen pitching in tonight.>
   I have read over the info that I could find on the website and other sources but didn't really find my answer, probably just missed it.  I have a sand sifter starfish that doesn't move around a whole lot...does from time to time.  I noticed one morning that it was up at the top of the tank doing its thing.  Then later in the evening I found it at the bottom up against the glass looking all droopy...not rigid...kinda like a dying plant. <Sometimes they'll do this, but you might want to test your water quality parameters.>
   I talked to my local aquarium pet shop...and was told to feed it some cooked/uncooked shrimp...just shrimp from the grocery store. <uncooked is preferable for nutrient value.> I tried this but it didn't even attempt to eat it...but it did get better...moved to a new location. I tried to feed it again but my Coral banded shrimp, recently purchased, steals the bit of shrimp from the starfish. <Yes, an aggressive feeder.> Is there a better way to feed the starfish? Do I need to feed the starfish? - I've been told I don't; just doesn't seem right. <How big is your tank? Only the sand bed of a rather large tank has enough life to feed one of these. I'd try some other marine foods like chopped clams, mussels, squid, etc & place it very close to the star.> Will this harm the shrimp? <No, they'll eat just about anything organic. Mine are quite bold at stealing from slower inverts.>  Just worried that everyone gets properly fed!! <Keep trying.> Thank you very much, <You're welcome.> Todd Hawman

Starfish Eating Shells 2 (1/25/04)
My tank is only a ten gallon, so it's pretty easy to keep track of the different things in there, which is how I could tell he swallowed one of the shells.  Amazingly, he seems to be perfectly normal now! <Glad to hear it.> Thank you for your quick response!
Sincerely, LeeAnne Strohmann <I hope all remains well, Steve Allen>

White Sand Star, Archaster sp
Hi Bob,
Once again I have done it.... Ordered something before researching.
Now I have read your site (and others) and you don't think the White Sand Star, Archaster sp, is required to support a reef.
<Hmm, no... there are reefs... wild, captive that certainly don't have them...>
I now have discovered that some even eat inverts and coral.
<Yes, can>
The starfish has not yet arrived .... should I cancel? or take the chance he will enhance my environment. I don't really buy stuff for the reef just for looks... I do it to TRY and
create a self sustained environment. Kind regards, Robert
<"Worth the risk" in most all cases... don't know about your system... of size, has "enough" (a few inches) of softer, smaller substrate? This Seastar will very likely work out. Bob Fenner>

An asteroid in the sand
Hi Bob, <PF here tonight, though I'm sure Bob will read this.>
I have been reading all of the FAQ and email exchange. You are by far one of the most dedicated people to this hobby. I admire and Thank You for all the time you take to answer our questions. < Speaking on Bob's behalf, you're welcome, and yes, I believe he is very dedicated too.> Boy, the stuff you must cringe at:-) <The less said about that, the better.>
I have a 30 gallon fish only, no live rock <I would advise getting some LR, and curing it in a separate container. Here's the FAQ on LR: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/liverock1.htm > just live sand <Your sifter is soon going to turn that into not-so-live-sand, that's the nature of the beast.> , 2 month old saltwater tank (almost immediately realizing it is toooooo small) <Good call on your part> but such is always the case with any addiction:-)
I have received a sand star from etropicals.com
I am from the old school and took a real chance ordering ONLINE. <Many fine etailers out there, but always do your research on the company before ordering.> He arrived with the tip of one of his legs cut but otherwise healthy. I acclimated him for about 45 minutes. <Just an FYI, in the future, do a drip acclimation, most asteroids (hey, I didn't name 'em) are very sensitive to salinity changes, the more we can do to help them, the better.> He took to the sand quickly but gradually (if that makes sense). <Yes it does.>
He seems healthy and happy so far. <Good.>
1. What are some signs I can be looking for if he takes turn? <Stops moving for long periods (hours... days...) is one sign, drastic color changes is another, and falling apart is a really bad sign.>
2. What can I feed him to supplement his diet? He is not carnivorous <Well... that's a tough one. Sand sifting stars eat the organisms that make a sand bed live - amphipods, copepods, small bristle worms, etc. It will quickly sterilize the bed. I'm not really sure what you can feed as a substitute. A refugium that gravity feeds into the tank to restock the supply of detritivores the sifter eats may not be out of line. OTOH, it may just be happy eating waste from your fish.>
I am not sure.
3. I have four small blue leg crabs and 8 small (tiny) bumble snails, will they hurt him? <I don't think they would, especially the snails.>
4. I am going out tomorrow to buy a hospital tank (in every article you respond to, you recommend a QT) I am sold. <A very wise decision.>
5. Can I set a QT without live rock. <Yes, to start the nitrate cycle, just use a small piece of shrimp (fresh or frozen) and a sponge filter, in a few weeks the tank should be up and running fine.>
6. Also do I keep the QT running all the time like my regular tank?
<I would say yes, if you have the room for it.>
7. We are moving in September and my husband and I plan to move everybody into a 70 gallon tank, so I know they will be happier.
<Good, they can use the room. If you decide to do a DSB in your 70g tank, the sand sifter will have to find a new home, it defeats the purpose of having a DSB. Kind of like using coyotes to herd sheep.>
8. We have: A healthy beautiful eating Yellow Tang:-), a watchman goby and his pistol shrimp buddy (purchased separately), two percula clown, a blue damsel <Might want to give the damsel a new home when you move, they get very aggressive.>, and the rest of the invert gang mentioned above. My water quality is high and I stay home so I feed small several times a day <Would that I could.> and monitor the tank constantly. I realize this number of fish etc is a challenge given the age of the tank but I have two young step daughters (8 and 6) who only come and visit from NYC three times a year and wanted the two clown fish to remind us of them when their not here (resist that one). <I'm with your there.>
9. Will we be ok until we can buy our fish their new 70 gallon house? < You didn't mention filtration. Be sure and use a good skimmer, it wouldn't be out of line to overskim a tank that full. And a method of running activated carbon would be good too. That is an awfully full tank. Have you given any though to setting up another tank (say a 20g long) and splitting the crowd out some?>
Thank You for being a gift to the hobby. I am returning to it after 5 years of absence. <Welcome back. : ) > I read everything I can get my hands on <Now if only that attitude were infectious... ; ) >, but it always nice to have some consistent decisive advice. <Several years ago, when I first started writing and talking to Bob, he warned me if I hung around I'd wind up answering questions one day, I pass that warning on to you.>
I look forward to hearing from you as I have envied all the folks  who receive a reply because I did not know until now how to get in on this. <Feel free to ask questions anytime, that's what we're here for.>
Sincerely
Christina
<Good luck, and happy reef keeping, PF>

Sand sifting starfish !!!
Hi guys. <Hello Marcin>
I'm pretty new in marine systems but I find your site very helpful.
I've had my tank (29gal) set up for about 3 months now. I have live sand (about 2'' deep) as well as LR (about 8lb) in my system.
About a month ago I got one sand sifting starfish. I needed something to clean my sand and those guys from PetCo told me to get a starfish.
I've been reading this site and I find mixed opinions on those animals. I have few questions for you.
Is my sand bed deep enough?
Is it true that sand sifting starfish eats needed fauna and bacteria in the send, much needed for a marine system to exist?
What can I use besides starfish that would not destroy my sand bed and would be effective in moving sand? <Marcin, sand sifting stars are omnivores and eat pretty much anything, very small clams, worms, algae, detritus and microorganisms.  A two inch deep sand bed is really not deep enough to provide enough food to keep this critter alive for any length of time. A tank set up for just three months isn't going to be teeming with life in the sand bed.  I'd take it back if you can and give your sand bed time to age so it will be teeming with organisms for the star.  Do a google search, keyword "sand sifting starfish", on the WWM.  James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks for all your help,
Marcin

White Sifting Star question
Have a 55gal tank with a 10gal (refugium/sump) established for about 1 ½ years with 50lb of live rock and 40lb of live sand  with a snowflake eel,  a harlequin tusk,
<This fish needs more room>
a cardinal, 1 ocellaris and 1 blue damsel fish. Also some coral/inverts like a crocea clam, frogspawn, green Goniopora, yellow polyps , some xenias, red mushrooms and a speckled leather coral, a couple of hermits and snails for clean up and 2 white sand sifting stars. I think because of the refugium, which has Caulerpa and 4 mangroves plants a good supply of what I think are amphipods have developed (I even discard some when changing the filter pads). The reason for this post is that after reading some pages of the Marine Invertebrates book in which mention that 1 sand star will require 6 square feet to sustain it I wonder  If my 2 stars are slowly dying.
<Mmm, evidently not... some systems (like yours apparently) have much more food...>
To me they look ok, they move around, burying and emerging form the live sand and even one of them re-grew one of its arms after the harlequin attacked it. I have had them for around  10 to 14 months. What do you recommend, taking out one of them and maybe put it in the fuge or give it to a fellow aquarist or keep both of them.
<I would get a larger system period... if you can afford and fit it in... Bob Fenner>