What is the perfect test kit?

[jgaepi]

I had to ask this question to you highly-experienced aquarists. What is the perfect test kit?
Maybe one doesn't exist. I have read all sorts of things like buy a mondo test kit with tons of testing supplies, I have also heard that some companies make the perfect testing supplies depending on what you are testing for.
Some kits hit on the basic four components to test for, while I know that a serious fish keeper should be testing for about 8 different components.
I am a little different than some on this issue. I don't have thousands and thousands of bucks to throw around, but I like to do things right. I especially learned that after buying a SeaClone protein skimmer and having to go through the hassle of returning it. So even if these testing supplies run me up to about $200, I would rather do it right than wrong and not spend $50 bucks but then waste it by killing my fish.
So now to compile all your years and wealth of knowledge, for a newbie, what is the perfect products for testing, and what should I truly be testing for? And if there is a mondo kit out there, "perfect kit," what do you recommend me to buy?
Thanks in advance for your help.

P.S. I apologize, I accidently posted this on the freshwater newbie forum, I should be ashamed.

 

[OrionGirl]

This should be interesting...I think you'll get lots of different answers.

For myself, I prefer the liquid test kits. I think they are more accurate, and I know they are easier to use than the powder packets. So, I like the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals brand kit for FW, and the SeaChem Multi for SW. Then, I add calcium, phosphates, copper, Iodine/iodide from SeaChem. The SeaChem Reef and the SeaChem Multi should get you most of those.


PS--no shame, easily cleaned up.

 

[mogurnda]

No perfect kit for me. I've tried a lot of them, and each company has their strengths. Seachem and Salifert are two of my favorite companies. I also prefer the liquid kits.
For ammonia and nitrite, I have used Aquarium Pharm., Red Sea and SeaChem, they're all fine. You really only need those during the cycle.
Aquarium System's alkalinity test is cheap and accurate.
Salifert's nitrate test is very easy and accurate.
SeaChem's calcium test is by far my favorite. Many Ca kits are a bit ambiguous, whereas SeaChem's is very sharp.
I am not testing much else at the moment.