Hi there!!
For test kits, the bare minimum should be:
ammonia
nitrIte
nitrAte
pH
It is also nice to know your water's GH and KH. Not absolutely necessary, but nice to have.
Now for your filter...yes there are so many to choose from! No wonder someone can get so confused looking at all the alternatives. Are you setting up a new system? What size tank do you currently have?
AquaClear filters are pretty good. Fairly inexpensive. It comes with all the media you will need: sponge, carbon and cylinders. The carbon isn't usually used regularily - only to remove any medications you may have added to your tank. So it's good to buy an extra sponge to replace that carbon.
Again, it's up to you regarding what type of filter you want. Penguin Biowheels are also fabulous. Although I have no experience with them, I have read nothing but good reviews.
Here is a link on cycling your tank:
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/cycle.htmlIf your tank isn't already cycled, this is what is going to happen. And with your new filters in the cycling tank, the filters will start to colonize the beneficial bacteria that in the end will keep your water params stable (i.e. ammo = 0; nitrItes = 0; nitrAtes < 20).
An excellent online source (if possible for you) for filters and test kits is Big Al's.
Here's for the test kits:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...ategory_id=2255Here's for the various filters:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/parent..._id=2885;pcid1=Good luck!!
