Sillyfishies
Aquarium Advice Addict
There's your pickle. Again, you may need to rely on your Mom, nature's ultimate chauffeur to go pick some equipment up. Sometimes people selling used equipment are willing to deliver, but don't expect somebody to drive 2 hours each way to bring you their used tank and equipment.
As far as the external (canister) filter is concerned, that was just for the 55 gallon, and still wasn't necessary, just preferred. For a 30 gallon, you're going to want an economical HOB style filter, like an Aquaclear 70/300 (my number 1 recommendation).
BTW I wasn't giving you a hard time about changing the stocking list again a few posts back. I was just under the impression that you'd decided already, that's all. We should really find out what fish you have available locally too. Some of the stuff you want might not even be available to you, although Maidenhead does have a decent selection.
When i go to LFS that are far away, I borrow my sisters smartphone and look up the kinds of fish I like there.