A daylight tank is one which, after loading with film in the dark, can be used in normal lighting. It has a light trap which allows filling and emptying with developer or fixer without admitting light. If you expect to develop only one roll of film at a time a single reel tank saves solutions, since half filling a two reel tank for processing only one reel may cause problems with over agitation.
I've used a changing bag to load a film tank, but sweaty hands can make things difficult.
A bathroom with a locking door (!) and no windows is a good possibility for loading the reels. Wait till after dark, turn off a hall light or whatever, put a rolled towel against the crack at the bottom of the door. If after 10 minutes - use a timer - you can't see anything, or at the worst tiny glimmers, you're probably OK. If you can sit on the floor with your back to the door and possible glimmers so much the better.
Warn others at home on pain of something not to turn on the hall light!
Practice loading the tank in light with a junk roll of film. When you can do that, close your eyes and load. When you can do that you're probably ready.
I'd suggest putting the tank, film, bottle opener to open the film cassette, scissors to trim the film tongue, etc in a plastic dishpan to keep things together. You'd be amazed how big a small bathroom floor is in the dark when you're looking for the tank top! Believe me, I know....
The choice of tank is a subject of debate between stainless steel and Paterson plastic. I used to have no trouble with stainless, but now I use Paterson. YMMV.
If the film in the tank is immediately rinsed with water after pouring out the used developer there's no real need for a stop since the water will dilute any remaining developer and stop its action. I'd suggest using D-76 diluted 1 to 1. This extends development time enough so that minor timing errors aren't important, and gives consistency without worrying about replenishment. I'd add to Rick A's list a wetting agent a final rinse, Photoflo or equivalent.
And yes, a thermometer as Tom1956 suggests. If you can hold your "darkroom" to 68F that is ideal, but there are tables to give times for different temperatures.
As the Brits might say, Take Courage, Keep Calm, and Carry On!