Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry DIY Water testing tool recommendation

Looking for recommendations on where my $ would be best spent on water testing tools.

My 1 acre pond is clay and the watershed is heavy with pine trees so I'm always fighting to keep PH/KH/GH acceptable using ag lime.
I have aeration and turbidity that varies with seasonal rain.
I've stocked pretty heavy with typical south eastern fish, so ammonia and nitrates are a worry, especially as they grow larger and I feed heavier.

I have a digital PH/TDS meter on order (cheap one.)
To date, I've been using the 5 in 1 test strips, but I'm not trusting them much these days. Ag lime is cheap, but I hate to throw money and time at a bad test reading.

I have seen the API master test kit, is that a better set?

I do expect to use these tools for friends ponds also, but pro grade isn't required.

I can not speak from direct experience regarding the API test kits, but a friend who I consider an expert in salt water aquaria uses these kits with a high level of confidence. The requirements for salt water testing is very important in his line of work and if those test kits are good enough for his needs then pond testing should be no problem. On occasion I will hear him complain that he may have kept some of the test chemicals to long and ends up throwing them out, but we are talking a couple of years of storage.

I don't know how good it is but I use.

https://www.amazon.com/API-POND-MASTER-Water-500-Test/dp/B0002DJNN0

and

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C0A7ZY?aax...d=8105281260901

and

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C0A7ZY?aax...d=8105281260901

POnd master and digital meter always read 1 Ph higher than the test strips. But I use the test strip for alkalinity.

I suspected the 5 in 1 strip is inaccurate, particularly in PH readings.
No matter what I do, I can't get it to read above 6.5.
Hopefully the digital meter gives a true reading. I will compare it against the API
master kit.

I'll be thrilled if the digital meter reads 7.5 PH. That's an accomplishment for my area!
Clay acidic soil and pine trees!
Tobacco and pine trees are what grows well around here.

Still seeking input on preferred brand names or models to avoid.

I use both an HTH 5in1 test strip as well as Pond Care's Wide Range test drops for PH. So far, they've both been fairly close on PH. I'm considering the API Pro kit so I can see what the Nitrate and Nitrite levels are. Not that I'd know what to do with them...lol.