So I have a 30 gallon long tank sitting empty and I'd like to consider making it into a smaller, mini-sort of reef.
Do you think this would be okay with a
Snails? Yes, most of your CUC (clean up crew) will be made up of a turbo, astreas, and some nass maybe.
Shrimp? Cleaner shrimp are very good and funny shrimp to watch
Clown? You could get one clown or a pair, depending on what other fish you want.
Couple of chromis? Again depends on the other fish wanted, maybe you could fit 4 fish max in your tank, and those would have to be small fish.
Maybe a couple of blue velvet damsels? I would skip and forget about any damsel, they are just mean and aggressive, not worth it.
What sort of equipment would I need for this small of a tank? Well for a Reef, I would go with some T5HO, maybe look into aquatraders, skimmer (dont need if keep up with water changes), powerheads, heaters the usual.
Would I need everything one would need in a larger tank? Im guessing you mean equipment wise and no not really.