MacDracor
Aquarium Advice Addict
Reef isn't really any harder. Just needs better lighting and you need to keep nutrients a little lower. Soft corals are very undemanding in general and some LPS are just as easy.
Everything I've read indicates they need live stars. Some will accept severed limbs but not all.
Here's a thought. In a sump, grow asterinas. Get a few in the sump and provide them plenty to eat. That should keep you from running out.