Thinking salt
 

I would like to set up a saltwater tank just for shrimp maybe some small fish would this be possible and would I need any thing beside live sand ,live rock,salt lights and filter . Thanks the tank I am thinking about setting up is 30 gal:-) oh and test kit.

The tank you are describing is a rather simple setup and should be a great first step into the saltwater side of the hobby. A 30 gallon tank is just large enough to not be too difficult. I would personally use a 4'' layer of aragonite sand, 10-15 pounds of live rock, 25 pounds of dry rock from Marco Rocks (I like the Key Largo variety)25 Pound box Key Largo Rock, Pre Cured and Free Shipping *in the continental US*, and a hang on protein skimmer.

Yes, I would use a skimmer, even on a small tank. I think the skimmer is the single most important investment you will make. You don't have to spend a lot of money, and several designs are available online at a reasonable cost. Check out these options:
Reef Octopus BH 100F Hang on Back Protein Skimmer with Filter System - AquaCave
http://www.aquacave.com/aero-force-h...tics-2734.html

The money you will save by using dry rock instead of 100% live rock will pay for the cost of the skimmer.

You will also want to pick up test kits and supplements to regulate calcium and alkalinity levels. This will be very important to create a stable environment for any marine aquarium. In fact, on a 30 gallon tank with the livestock you are looking at, I see your normal weekly routine to be testing and supplementing, as opposed to a standard weekly water change.

Thank you I have been researching and I did read some of that before you posted lol Yes I think I will use a skimmer I want to have little to no problems. would I use a hob or canister filter also would I need a heater. One other Question when I lose water from evaporation would I just add water or would I add salt water.Would my well water be ok or should I use RO water Thanks so much I will be doing this slowly so I might need more help lol:-D Oh and how do you cycle a salt tank could I seed it from a fresh water tank:-)

Yes, you will need a submersible heater, not the freshwater hang on variety.

As evaporation occurs, you add freshwater. Salt does not evaporate. You will need a hydrometer to measure the salinity, aiming for 1.023-1.024. At times you will need to replace some saltwater, because salt tends to "creep" out of the water, getting on the rim of the tank and glass.

There is no reason to use a hang on or canister filter, as the use of mechanical filtration will increase phosphates and lead to algae growth. I would just use the skimmer. You will, however, want to add a small powerhead to the inside of the tank to help with water circulation, hopefully preventing detritus from accumulating.

You should take a minute to visit our reference library. There are some articles on filtration differences between freshwater and saltwater which you will find very helpful, and an easy read.

Water Quality Reference

Cycling a New Saltwater Aquarium With Fish - Tips For Making Good Tank Starter Fish Choices
Cycle your new aquarium using only Live Sand ( or Crushed Coral ) and the Live Rock, mixed Base Rock, that you have, nothing else is needed. Do not add the fresh water to it, the salt will only kill the beneficials that were in that water.

Would this be a good deal Nano-Reef Starter : Eco-Reefer, The finest marine rock in Canada! Thanks again

MarcoRocks Aquarium Products
Aquarium Base Live Rock: Base also called Foundation Live Rock for Saltwater Aquariums from Aquatic Connection Live

Reef... is this a typo? I don't understand what you were saying here.

Ya know what, I have no idea what that is. I had a train of thought there, but for the life of me I can't figure that one out now. WOW. Brain fart or what.... Weird....:shock:

After re-reading everything, I think I was getting at adding fresh water to the tank when it evaporates, not adding saltwater. But, man was I far from that, wasn't I...:-D