Sand-Sifting Star experiences

[reefin_with_jesus]

I have read plenty about sand-sifting stars and how they can decimate a LS bed, but right now I'm more interested in actual experience with these creatures. For those of you who have/had a sand-sifting star with a DSB:

1.) Does your sand bed look healthy, i.e. lots of critters moving around?
2.) Did you notice a decline in your critter population once you added your star?
3.) Does your star look healthy?
4.) How long have you had your star?
5.) How long has your tank been set up?
6.) How big is your tank?

I have recently aquired one of these creatures after hearing of others success with sand-sifting stars and DSBs. I would like more input on the matter, though. I have a 90-gallon tank with a 4-inch DSB. The tank has been up for about 2 years, but I just switched my substrate from CC to a DSB about 2 months ago. Thanks for everyone's input. Again, I'm not interested in book knowledge on the subject...I have plenty of that. I need some hands-on type of knowledge now. Thanks again. Lance.

 

[Salvatore]

1. Looks very healthy; always able to view worms and worm tracks in the sand.

2. Star was added before the sand bed life took off, but both have thrived since.

3. Yes, although we rarely see him on the surface anymore.

4. About a month.

5. About a month.

6. 110gal

Caveat: I know now we shouldn't have added the star during the tank cycle; the LFS said it would be fine...so far its ok though.

 

[reefin_with_jesus]

Thank, Salvatore. C'mon, guys. More of you have to have some experience in this area. Otherwise, everyone is just going off of what the "experts" suggest with no real experience of their own. I would hate to think this is the case.

 

[sally1]

I had a sand sifting star in an established 55 gallon reef tank for close to two years. It pretty much depleted my sandbed in that time. Then it slowly starved to death. I felt very bad. They deplete your sand bed of all of its life and then slowly starve. It may take a while as mine did. I really don't think they belong in reef tanks. Just my .02

 

[Joey1]

I had one in my now 1 year old 55 gallon...was in there for about three to four months.He would make his way around the glass at least once a day,which I thought was a little odd,but then I realized that he was on the hunt and that my newly established sand bed had nothing for him which led to his return to the lfs.kept the sand clean though.it was only after a month or so after his return to the store that I noticed the sandbed becoming noticeably populated. Joey