Get your Aquarium Co-Op Test Strips and start testing those parameters!
https://www.aquariumcoop.com/products/aquarium-co-op-multi-test-strips
https://www.aquariumcoop.com/products/aquarium-co-op-ammonia-test-strips
Amazon link to Rosario's book An Aquarist's Journey
https://www.amazon.com/AQUARISTS-JOURNEY-Rosario-LaCorte/dp/1717882927/