Unfortunately T5 is not the answer here as the tank is only 1 ft long. You do get 1ft T5's but it is not the high output T5's that most reefers are used to. I'd say go for 2-4 x 18W energy savers. Lumaglo is the brand. They make 6,500K bulbs. Another option is a 75W MH. Just don't mount it too close to the water else you will have endless heat issues. As for you question, it is well worth it but I wouldn't keep a fish in there. Rather go for a cleaner shrimp and a hermit. You would definately be able to keep softies under 3 or 4 of those energy savers. I kept lots of softies, tube anemone, Montiporas, Acanthastreas and other LPS under 4 x 18W energy savers and they grew like there is no tomorrow.
Although I don't think the LED light from Eco Aquatics will be sufficient for keeping corals, I can surely vouch for them being awesome moonlights and you will do well to get one. They come in blue and will add a bit of blueness to help get rid of the yellow that the 6,500K energy savers will give you.
The size is 1 cubic foot if I read correctly. In that case you might consider DIY'ing with perspex/acrylic. Much easier to do and much better looking as you don't have the ugly silicone seams.
Kanga is right about the water changes. If you do them religiously, you wouldn't need a skimmer provided there is about 1/3 the water volume in good quality live rock (or more).
HTH