all the above are right but I will add this
The best way to start on sand bed is
http://www.rshimek.com/reef/Default.htm
as for test kit a tank that size is very easy to maintain but you have to know that change occur realy rapidly in 10 gal.
I recomand to 10% water weekly to or 20% other week
the best alkalinity test I found is the seatest fast test 10$ and will last for years
Calcium test are IMO useless in your case 10% water change will replennish your calcium whith softy
The important ting is PH I recomend you a PH meter if you could affort it he could save you a lot of $ in the long run you will have a PH reading every day other than that you will end get borred do you test the first six month and after do it less and less frequently en ending with a crash. PH are the heart of your tank when PH get low you know it time to add buffer if buffer could not get the PH up buy there own you
have organique buildup and need to do maintenance
so IMO PH is the most important in your case.
All other amoniac, nitrite, nitrate ....... are
the last ting I will buy in your case do you maintenance regulary + keep your hand off will give you the best result + read and read and read .........
as far as light I tink it s goog but adding a good reflector will praticaly do like adding another PC ;)
[ 14 June 2002, 15:44: Message edited by: stephane ]