Conflicted about water change

Yes, I couldn't agree more after doing extensive reasearch on the web today. I think the star I have is very pretty and neat but if I cannot provide for him its not something I want im my tank. I think I will end up with as serpent star eventually but as for the others, ill leave them to the pros . Once again, thanks for the replys, 3reef is a nice resource.

 

it was too early to add a starfish, they need a well established tank
in future dont listen to lfs, they just want to make money and dont think of your needs or the livestocks survival (i had to find out the hardway like yourself). do your homework first and dont be affraid to ask even the most stupid questions on here, because were here to help, get a few books, read etc

i have a blue linkia starfish, i added it after my tank had been running for 1 year (technically 2 years because i used the rocks that were in my previous tank), i make sure i feed it live reef bugs once a week and its doing perfectly fine, though it didnt start coming out and didnt see it for a month at first and now everyday i see it on the glass, rocks etc. its so beautiful and people are usually surprised i have a starfish and think its fake until they see it move for themselfs.
though a few places ive read say they dont survive for more than a year, because we dont fully understand their dietary needs, ill have to find that out in december and then its been a full year

just first, get a few hardy fish that can handle sudden changes in parameters, percula clowns are really good.
dont get chromis or damsels, theyre really aggressive and are very hard to get out before adding anyother types of fish in there, they will claim the whole tank as their territory and may kill the new fish.

hope this helps

 

Yeah... tank hasn't cycled yet. .. That's bad LFS advice. I hear all these stories from LFS s on here like this. I go to about 5 different stores around here and none of them would ever steer me wrong like that.
Also diatoms will go away by themselves... there's not much you can do about it except control silicates with good RO/DI water.
What is your water source? As soon as the diatoms soak up the silicates they will go away. It happens in new tanks like clockwork. If you add tap water they will come back although probably not as bad.
You're PH is fine.. A little higher would be better... but I wouldn't mess with it until it cycles.
A Typical Break-In Cycle

 

JME here. I have a starfish. and when it does a few laps around my tank i know its looking for food. After its done eating it will crawl back up to its favorite spot and stay there for a couple of day. It's been in my tank now for 4 months and still going what appears to be strong despite my emperor angel niping at its tiny hair and tube feet.