if you have never kept fish before, salt water may not be the best place to start, but if you can devote time and effort to your fish, then go ahead!!!
Filter You will need a filter that circulates the water in the tank (About 30 gallons in a tank your size) three times, so your looking at something like a fluval 204 or 304 which cost $200 Aus.
Heater You will need a heater of around 200 - 300 watts i wouls say, that will cost you no more than $20 Aus.
Other To run a salt water tank you will need a Protein Skimmer, which will cost you $200+ Aus. , to run the protein skimmer you will also need an air pump to run the skimmer which cost from $10 Aus - Over $100.
Also, you will need a hydrometer and thermeter to view the SG (Specific Gravity) and temprature of the water.
Finally, you need to conider what type of lighting you will be using, A Flurencent light will also cost you about $50 Aus.
All together, just for equipment, your looking at about $500+
Apart from the equpment, you will also need to purchase a sutible substrate, rock, corals, etc, so your looking at quite a bit of money!!!
i would also like to know how often does it need cleaning
You will need to do a weekly water change of about 20% - 30% of the water, and replace it with matured salt water, to the correct SG, which you can mix in a bin...
is it ok to get fish from the ocean to put in there as my brother goes snorkelling and sees lots of tropical fish.
I would say no to getting fish from the ocean, since they could possibly carry an illness and are wild, an would probably harass your other fish, which have been breed for colour, etc, not behaviour. Also, you never know the fish's requirements and how big they grow
I hoped this helped you!!!
