Setting up my first saltwater tank

Question
Hello,
Ok well I have been searching the internet and asking around for awhile on the best technique to set up my first saltwater aquarium, and to find out exactly what I would need. However, I am still unclear on just what I need to set up a simple saltwater aquarium. Right now I own about 5 freshwater aquariums that are doing great and I would like to try my luck at a saltwater set up. I already have a 30 gallon tank that I bought for about $30.00. I know that I will need a hood,light,filter,heater and possibly a protein skimmer. Is there anything else that I will need for a simple saltware aquarium? Also what other options do I have if I do not want to buy live rock and set up a reef system just have some nice fish and a goodlooking setup that is practical? Thanks

-Matt

Answer
Well a simple saltwater aquarium, I would still recommend live rock and live sand, as it performs the simple task of natural filtration. I would make a thirty gal bigger by adding a sump or refugium under the tank. For a fish only tank You can go with power compact lighting or VHO lighting, of coarse a heater, for fish only tank A good protein skimmer, (very important) this is probably your most expense. For mechanical filtration a good canister filter will do the trick. Just remember you really can't compare the price of a marine aquarium to a fresh aquarium. There is a big difference even for the most piratical set-ups. Then a lot of patience to set it up, you will want to cycle the tank with live rock and sand for aprox 6 to 8 weeks. And test until everything stabilizes, then add your fish if possible one at a time not more than once a week until you have what you want. It takes me aprox 6 months to set up a 110 gal at my home, a 30 will not take as long, once you get past cycling.