testing advice

[farrington300]

Looking for a few answers regarding testing.
1 What brand of test kits do you recommend?
2 Where can I get them at a good price?
3 Aside from the obvious (Ammonia nitrite nitrate) What else should I test my water for? Give me the musts and the optional tests.
4 How often should i test for each test?
5 What are the optimal results for each of the tests?
Too many questions I know but water quality is everything!
I have an pretty good idea about how to test water but i am looking to learn a little more on the subject and to get other peoples opinions on the subject. Any and all information would be appreciated. Thanks

[Reefkeeper]

I have always used the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater master test kit. It used to be little pills, but is now liquid drops and you can get it for around $13-$15 online. I then supplemented that with sea chem test kits for copper and other brands for calcium etc.

[obarrera]

I've heard salifert test kits are very good, but they're expensive.

[shmitr]

I do water changes on a weekly basis pretty religiously so I only test for CA and Alk, even then not too often. When I do, I use the Salifert ones. I've tried a bunch of other brands but these seem to be the most accurate. I bit more expensive up front sure, but they last for quite a while.