test kits?

[lin]

what test kits should i buy before getting shrimps? i currently have a ph kit and ammonia kit kinda know what there for what are other kits testing in the water?

btw how do people do water changes? just tap water with some seachem prime or some other chemical?

i recently heard of ro water would boiled water be kinda simliar as it gets rid of the bacteria etc?

im thinking of getting some sort of Neocaridina species they should be more hardy right? would i need to add chemical, mineral other substances for them like other people do for crs etc?

[kizshrimp]

You'll need to test GH and KH as well as pH, those 3 are the basic essentials. It is wise to get a Calcium test kit to supplement the GH kit, Nitrite and Nitrate to go with the Ammonia kit and a TDS/EC meter. That's what most people use routinely. 

Most people do RO water changes but some get away with filtered or treated (dechlorinated) tapwater. With Cherries the tapwater alternative is more viable. 

You need to add minerals etc for any type of shrimp or fish, or anything else you choose to keep in an aquarium. You're adjusting your local water to the parameters that suit your livestock. As Cherry shrimp generally want higher pH and harder water than crystals, you'll actually be using more mineral additives.