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I bought a Marden 5in1 test strip kit. For small starter tank I figure it will cut it for now.

Here's what I got for my 10g that's been up for two weeks, two fish, one plant (two more plants added today).

pH 6.8
Alk(ppm) 80
Hard (ppm) 120
NO2(mg/L) 0
NO3(mg/L) 15 (Nitrate ion, not Nitrogen-Nitrate)

Here's what I got from my tap water (south Medfield) after an hour in a glass on the counter.

pH 7.0
Alk(ppm) 90
Hard (ppm) 120
NO2(mg/L) 0
NO3(mg/L) 10 (Nitrate ion, not Nitrogen-Nitrate)

(Maybe I should have waited 24-48 hours for the tap water to get a more accurate reading?)

I was a little surprised at the nitrate. The test scale first step is 0 and second i 20. Since it wasn't quite as pink as the 20, in both cases I tried to guessterpolate what the value might be. Almost as much in the tap as the tank.

My goal is simply to keep a few healthy fish and several plants in a low-light tank 10g, 15W fluorescent. I might add a dwarf shrimp if I can find one I think my fish might not eat.

This weekend I'll probably do my first water change of 10-20%.

sounds great!

the nitrAte in the tap water is slightly disturbing
(but not dangerous)

is it your own well
or city water supply?

which town?

The water is Medfield town tap water. Medfield has five or six town wells that provide ground water, not surface water. I live on the south side but I'm not sure which well I'm on.

I was surprised at the nitrate since I don't think there's a lot of agriculture in Medfield (other than suburban lawns and gardens).

I was told that Medfield doesn't use chloromine at all and disinfects only two of the wells with chlorine and then only in spring in summer.

I believe they inject sodium hydroxide to bring the pH up so the water doesn't rust the pipes. I remember in the paper reading the system was malfunctioning once and provided water with a pH of 11 for a few hours!