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Test Kits
According to The Aquaria, most test kits will prove helpful in your quest to maintain a saltwater tank. However, the ones that are truly necessary are the ammonia test kit, the nitrate test kit and the pH test kit. The general hardness kit and the carbonate hardness kit are not essential, though they are useful. Without test kits, you have to monitor tank conditions visually, and might not be able to understand why something went wrong.
Fish Stress
Saltwater fish are generally less forgiving, and therefore, more sensitive than freshwater fish. Stress has a negative effect on a fish's life span and ability to heal. Research the types of fish you're going to put into your tank to determine the ideal conditions for them. For example, if a particular species usually travels in a school, being alone may be a cause of stress. In addition, ample space is more of an issue for certain breeds of fish. Sudden changes in the water's pH or temperature can stress out certain fish species. Poor water also can stress out a fish. Never use untreated water in your fish tank. In addition, make sure your fish tank contains absolutely no ammonia, and that you remove excess nitrates regularly.
Protein Skimmer
You do not need a protein skimmer, but it will be a great advantage in your saltwater tank. A protein skimmer -- also called a foam fractionator -- physically removes organic compounds and other materials, which need to be expelled before they break down into harmful waste. The downside is that they are expensive, and can remove important nutrients in the water, which may need to be replaced, such iodine and useful bacteria. However, using a protein skimmer makes it easier to maintain water pH and clarity, and supports the health of the fish and coral.
Reef Tanks
A reef tank is much harder to maintain than a saltwater aquarium, containing just fish. In order to keep coral and anemones alive, it requires a lot of money and time. Reefs require perfect water conditions, which can lead to your need to purchase expensive lighting and water filtration systems and water supplements. Although a Nanocube is a less expensive way to keep a reef tank -- as it is smaller and contains all the necessary equipment -- it is still expensive and requires constant monitoring.