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%.