Salts and test kits for reef

[Potatohead]

I am starting up a 36g bowfront, I want to eventually have this be a mixed coral tank but definitely want to have a few SPS in there when the tank is established.

Question is - Since I will be starting mostly with softies and easy to keep LPS, and moving to SPS after say, 6 months to a year, should I start the tank out with regular salt and slowly switch over to reef salt? Should I use reef salt from the start? Should I just use regular salt and dose it when the time comes?

Also, I have many test kits for freshwater and looking online for the basic stuff, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, they're the same. I know before I add any SPS I will need to get mag, alk, calcium. Some guys say you don't need pH because it is what it is based upon the salt you're using... I'm just not sure.

Thanks

 

[Rotorocious]

I'd just start with a good salt and keep it constant from there.
I started out with the API test kits and eventually upgraded to the red sea test kits. Their cost was fair and I like their packaging/quality.