hey afgoody - it's me again.
My recommendation would be ammonia, nitrite and nitrate kits to monitor the initial cycle, and then for continued diagnostics and maintenance. pH should also be monitored with a good kit or meter, as should your water's specific gravity. Once you move on to corals-actually before since you'll want the experience and have achieved chemical balance before introducing corals - you'll want test kits to monitor alkalinity [hardness] and calcium. Those are the kits I've used and found adequate for good maintenance. There are certainly other tests you can make, and others that post here will swear by some of them. I've found that test kits for chemicals, such as phosphates, are worthwhile if you show symptoms of a problem. But I'd consider the ones I've mentioned as essential for regular upkeep. Keep a log book of your levels so that you can note trends, patterns etc. You'll learn a lot that way, and possibly spot a problem in the making before it gets too big to handle.
As to brands, there are lots out there, some good, some excellent, some not worth your money. Each one has its advocates here, and I'll not start a range war by making any absolute statements. Let me just tell you what I've found to be quality kits, and let others weigh in as they will. For the money, the Salifert kits are very good ones. Price is reasonable, and you get consistent results. I've also used LaMotte tests. They're more expensive initially, but since they use more durable materials [glass vials instead of plastic] and allow you to reorder reagents individually, they may be as cheap or cheaper in the long run. Excellent for accuracy and consistency. Others have said that the color change on the titration tests can be tough to gauge, but that's not been my experience.
Whatever brand you choose, don't be afraid to try others if you think your results are questionable. With any of them, stay consistent and methodical. The results are worth the effort.
regards,
-rw
