So, with the little amount of help the first response was, here's more info:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...ou-get-started-with-your-aquarium-154837.html
In that thread you'll find a lot of information about freshwater tanks. Cycling is important and without the beneficial bacteria the tank can be a volatile soup for fish.
With my tanks I went with fishless cycling which takes about 2 months. There are other methods but none that are as fish friendly or stable. Cycle in a bottle products may not be entirely effective or permanent, but they are the fastest with the tank being "ready" in about 24-48 hours. Fish-in cycling also takes a couple weeks, but during the process you are doing a lot of water tests and changes to make sure the fish doesn't die or get sick.
Another option, talk to the LFS and see if they have any used filter material you can have/buy. This material already has the BB growing on it so it helps the tank cycle faster, no matter what method you use.
Are you going with live plants? If so, I recommend something slow growing and hardy. Java fern and java moss can be good choices for low-light tanks. Both require very little in ferts and lighting. They also both require something to attach to for growth. Get a piece of driftwood or a rock from the LFS. Plants are also good for helping a smaller tank remain balanced by using up the toxic chemicals that can build up in the water and kill the fish.
Even if you don't take any of my advice, please at least read the articles in the thread I linked above. They are full of useful info for any freshwater tank.
