Many people avoid the magic fish potions like Cycle. There are simple
natural(?) alternatives we use all the time. Get something for removing
chlorine in your tap water though.

Expensive high intensity lights are all intended for live plants. The
light hoods typically sold with aquariums are for the observer, only to
see the fish. Don't worry about it so much for right now. You typically
can't use Walmart light hoods to grow plants anyways. I'd stick
with fluorescent for versatility and cost.

I think a 20gal glass tank would be a very good choice. A 50W heater
should be plenty, although a 75W may not work as hard. If you live in
the South like me and keep your house about 75 degrees anyways.....
50W. I'd recommend the type you can totally submerge, so you can hide
it behind rocks or whatever.

Just enough 1/8" - 1/4" gravel to cover the bottom of the tank is
typically fine for most fish only tanks. If you have burrowers or live
plants, they require 1+ inches. Most beginners will use plastic plants,
so an inch will be the minimum only to hold the plants down. Flat
gravel is boring. A 50lbs bag will give you a little to play with.

Get ya' a 20g glass tank, 50lbs of ~1/4" gravel, a 50W heater and a
nice Hang On Back filter. I hear the filters using the bio-wheel are
very good. Invest in an air pump for a 10 gallon aquarium and an
airstone (the bubble walls are cool!) and some airline. Some
inexpensive fish and you'll be in it for less than $100, no problem.

Read, girl, read. There's a whole lot of info available just on the
net.

http://www.geocities.com/spiral_72/Spirals_page.html