We built the Benchmark Alkalinity Test Kit because we needed something very practical on the coral farm: fast, easy to use, affordable enough to run often, and accurate enough that we could trust it when making decisions around the coral we grow.
On a reef system, alkalinity is not a number you check once in a while and hope for the best. It is one of the core measurements behind coral growth, dosing stability, and day-to-day confidence. At New Dawn Aquaculture, frequent alkalinity testing helps us catch changes early, understand demand, and keep our systems moving in the right direction.
Why the titrant matters
The trick to a kit like this is getting the alkalinity titrant exactly where it needs to be. If the titrant is tuned properly, the amount you dose can be converted cleanly into the alkalinity level. That is why the Benchmark kit uses a simple calculation:
dKH = mL of Reagent B used x 10
Use 0.80 mL of titrant and the result is 8.0 dKH. Use 0.95 mL and the result is 9.5 dKH. That simple conversion is what makes the kit fast enough for routine farm use and easy enough for home reef keepers.
Built from the work we have been doing all year
This product brings together a lot of what we have been working on at New Dawn Aquaculture: chemistry, 3D printing, laser engraving, and reliable frequent testing. None of that is separate from the core of the business. It all points back to better coral care.
We have been running different versions of this alkalinity kit on our own systems for the past year. After a lot of use, refinement, and small production improvements, we finally have the version we are happy putting the Benchmark name on.
A display case built into the kit
A lot of popular reef test kits end up needing an aftermarket organizer or display stand if you want them to look clean and stay easy to use. We wanted the packaging to solve that from day one.
Each Benchmark Alkalinity Test Kit comes in a custom matte black PLA printed storage and display case with UV-laser engraved Benchmark artwork. The case holds the reagents, vial, and syringes together, so the product packaging becomes the display kit instead of something you throw away or replace.
What comes in the box
- Reagent A alkalinity indicator
- Reagent B alkalinity titrant
- Benchmark 5 mL glass test vial
- 1 mL syringe for titrant control
- 5 mL syringe for measuring the water sample
- Custom printed and laser-engraved Benchmark storage/display case
Each kit includes enough reagent for 100 alkalinity tests right out of the box. Each refill set also includes 100 tests. The method is built for a 0-20 dKH testing range.
How the test works
- Add 5.00 mL of aquarium water to the vial.
- Add 2 drops of Reagent A. The sample turns blue.
- Fill the 1 mL syringe with Reagent B.
- Add Reagent B slowly while swirling until the sample reaches a stable blue-to-red endpoint.
- Calculate dKH = mL of Reagent B used x 10.
The goal was not to make alkalinity testing feel complicated. The goal was to make it something you can do often, trust, and build into your reef routine.
Shop the Benchmark Alkalinity Test Kit, pick up Alkalinity Refill Reagents, or browse the full Benchmark collection.
