I am also a neophyte to this web page and to pond management, but your question is one of the few I feel qualified to weigh in on, since I have over 25 years of experience in water chemistry and environmental engineering.
A company by the name of HACH sells all type of water testing equipment including complete kits designed for lake chemistry and / or environmental monitoring. Go to their web site for a catalog. The main parameters of pH, alkalinity, and hardness can be measured with a low cost pH meter and a small titration kit. If you want to get sofisticated you can even get a DO meter, PO4, and NO2 / NO3 photometer.
Another source for less expensive but less accurate testing is through a pool supply company where you can get pH strips and drop testers for alkalinity. This option is all you will likely need.
