I'd have to disagree with you there pixie. I don't have a test kit, and I'm still able to take care of my fish. I just don't see the sence in buying something when you can use someone elses (lfs). Of course it's more convienient if you can afford it but for some people even 15 bucks is hard to come by. I don't "fly blind" I just run to the lfs if I need to know what my water paramiters are.