I've done plenty of freshwater tanks, dirt tanks, artificial... Basically I've mastered the craft.   I have a 30 gallon tank sitting around with nothing in it, and I want to move on to saltwater.  From the research I've done so far, it sounds pretty easy after it's set up. Here are the questions I came up with so far. 

1. When adding saltwater for the very first time, do I have to do anything special!!!!  Can't I just get a big huge bucket of water add the salt as directed, measure the salinity and put it in!  Forget about temperature because this is the start up of a tank, and it will actually heat up in the tank itself.  I don't want to buy the water at the store and hall it, I'm hoping to start my own bacteria crap.
2.  I don't want expensive lighting!  Can I use a regular long bulb thingy like in freshwater tanks?  If not, what are alternatives for cheaper lighting? 
3.  Can I use two 20 gallon mechanical power filters?  

Thanks guys.... Literally any advice from your past experience is helpful.