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You should test your water til you get a feel of how things work in your tank.
A simple API master test kit will have everything you need, to include ph which you don't need.
If you get a FW kit you can also us for testing in SW, but you may still need to add a couple.
With a tiny tank feeding sparingly and doing regular pwc is mandatory. I would even say 2x per week of around a 1/3rd or 1/2 pwc. As mentioned testing helps so you can know your tank. But one error can blow it all.
Learn about Paly toxin and don't knock the polyps around and use gloves as well.
In January, I'm getting a 75 cichlid. I'll use the freshwater test kit. Would the 69 cent hermit crabs at petco be fine? Or should I go to my lfs which is a little more expensive, but much better
Then def buy from them! I mean they might be a bit more expensive but quality not quanity, and oh should hang around 8.1-8.3, I use a buffer to keep that at that level