How to start a SW tank?

[JacksonJigsaw]

interesting turn of events, my co-worker would like to have a class pet but the 30 gallon she has is to big to put in her class room, so im trading my 10 for her 30 suposibly her friend gave it to her cause he got tired of maintaining it. Going to check it out tommorow but it looks like it has the heater, thermometer, lid, filter, air pump, food, all sorts of additives, plants, filter cartridges, a bucket of gravel and a couple other things. So this might be a great deal for me, 40$ ten gallon kit, for a $200+ 30 gallon set up

 

[Gabecourter1979]

For lighting For that 20 gallon I would use two nano glow lights their about 60 nucks each led lights

 

[xxlbreed]

I'm still hung up on understanding the filter idea and te protein skimmer. Does a saltwater tank need either if those? (filter , pskimmer)
Thx!!

 

[carey]

Alot depends on the size of the tank. If youre doing 30g or under a skimmer isnt in my opinion a necessity as long as you do weekly water changes. Again, baded on the size of the tank a regular hang on back filter is needed to removed the debris that floats around your tank.