Buffy,
You are at a point that we all get to, excited about populating your tank with all sorts of wonderful stuff. Unfortunately, as a new tank, some things will not survive. That is why we all harp about going so slowly. You can get real depressed when your favorite creature turns up dead. The rewards are long term, the disappointments are immediate and in your face. I have been at this for 30 years and I have had my string of absolute failures that would make a grown man cry. So when we tell you that fish or coral isn't a good idea, it isn't because we have no confidence in you, we want to reduce your failures so the hobby is an enjoyment rather than a string of sorrows, I would not have recommended starfish of any kind at this early point, but that is just my opinion from killing too many of them early on. You need robust creatures at this point as they are the pioneers in your system.