I had great success at FOWLR with a HOB filter running floss and carbon, a po4 reactor, a small bak-Pak skimmer some actinic and 10k shop lights and a few powerheads on my old 90 GALLON.. A skimmer is a nice addition, but wouldnt call it necesary. A skimmer is nice to have for uneaten food, dissolved organics as well as oxygen exchange in a FOWLR.

I would suggest, in the long run, adding a hob skimmer, but other wise, it sounds like you have a pretty solid plan to starting your FOWLR tank! I miss mine very much sometimes....good luck with it, and have fun!