API Quick Start - 473ml
API Quick Start API Quick Start nitrifying bacteria allows for the instant addition of fish, as it immediately starts the natural aquarium cycle with beneficial bacteria, which converts toxic ammonia into nitrite, then into harmless nitrate to help prevent fish loss in your tank. Best for use when starting a new aquarium, after water changes and filter changes, and when adding new fish to an existing aquarium. Quick start nitrifying bacteria may be used in both fresh and saltwater aquariums. Add 10 ml. per 10 gallons of aquarium water. Can I add fish immediately after adding Quick Start nitrifying bacteria to my tank? Yes, you may add your fish to your aquarium immediately after dosing with Quick Start nitrifying bacteria. Is Quick Start nitrifying bacteria safe for soft coral? Yes, Quick Start nitrifying bacteria is safe for Soft Coral. Have a look at our other API Products.
API Quick Start API Quick Start nitrifying bacteria allows for the instant addition of fish, as it immediately starts the natural aquarium cycle with beneficial bacteria, which converts toxic ammonia into nitrite, then into harmless nitrate to help prevent fish loss in your tank. Best for use when starting a new aquarium, after water changes and filter changes, and when adding new fish to an existing aquarium. Quick start nitrifying bacteria may be used in both fresh and saltwater aquariums. Add 10 ml. per 10 gallons of aquarium water. Can I add fish immediately after adding Quick Start nitrifying bacteria to my tank? Yes, you may add your fish to your aquarium immediately after dosing with Quick Start nitrifying bacteria. Is Quick Start nitrifying bacteria safe for soft coral? Yes, Quick Start nitrifying bacteria is safe for Soft Coral. Have a look at our other API Products.
API Quick Start API Quick Start nitrifying bacteria allows for the instant addition of fish, as it immediately starts the natural aquarium cycle with beneficial bacteria, which converts toxic ammonia into nitrite, then into harmless nitrate to help prevent fish loss in your tank. Best for use when starting a new aquarium, after water changes and filter changes, and when adding new fish to an existing aquarium. Quick start nitrifying bacteria may be used in both fresh and saltwater aquariums. Add 10 ml. per 10 gallons of aquarium water. Can I add fish immediately after adding Quick Start nitrifying bacteria to my tank? Yes, you may add your fish to your aquarium immediately after dosing with Quick Start nitrifying bacteria. Is Quick Start nitrifying bacteria safe for soft coral? Yes, Quick Start nitrifying bacteria is safe for Soft Coral. Have a look at our other API Products.
API Quick Start API Quick Start nitrifying bacteria allows for the instant addition of fish, as it immediately starts the natural aquarium cycle with beneficial bacteria, which converts toxic ammonia into nitrite, then into harmless nitrate to help prevent fish loss in your tank. Best for use when starting a new aquarium, after water changes and filter changes, and when adding new fish to an existing aquarium. Quick start nitrifying bacteria may be used in both fresh and saltwater aquariums. Add 10 ml. per 10 gallons of aquarium water. Can I add fish immediately after adding Quick Start nitrifying bacteria to my tank? Yes, you may add your fish to your aquarium immediately after dosing with Quick Start nitrifying bacteria. Is Quick Start nitrifying bacteria safe for soft coral? Yes, Quick Start nitrifying bacteria is safe for Soft Coral. Have a look at our other API Products.
in 50 offers
The lowest price for API Quick Start - 473ml right now is $25.88 at peta2z.com, compared across 42 retailers.
The all-time low was $7.50 on 29 Nov 2025 — today's price is 245% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 21 Mar 2026.
Last updated at 21/03/2026 06:21:48
API Aquarium Water Treatment, 473 ml, (Pack of 1), 89E
Delivery $7.99
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
API, Quick Start Water Conditioner, 16 oz
Delivery $27.05
API Quick Start Freshwater And Saltwater Aquarium Water Treatment 473ml
Delivery between 25–31 Mar $8.61
Api Quick Start 473ml
QUICK START 473ml
API Quick Start Nitrifying Bacteria for Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums - Instantly Cycle Tank, Prevent Fish Loss - 473ml
Delivery $7.95
API Quick Start For Fish Aquarium 473ml by Budget Pet Products
Delivery between 24 Mar – 1 Apr $0
API Quick Start 473ml – Instant Aquarium Cycle | Aquaristic Online
Delivery $14
API Quick Start 473ml
Delivery between 24–30 Mar $15.52
API Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Quick Start 16oz
Delivery $12.11
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
originally posted on petco.com
On my second bottle and it just does not work. Does not seem to have any live BB. Have been maintaining my tank's ph level, temperature, water changes etc. but adding this does not makes any difference. Do not buy unless you want a bottle of expensive water.
originally posted on homeessentialsdirect.com
Im using this to fishless cycle a new tank, along with Seachem Prime, Stability, and ammonia. The bottle is misleading, if you put this product in an uncycled tank and then drop fish in right after, your fish will die. You need to be patient and properly cycle the tank. Its easier than it sounds but it takes time. This product didnt kill anyones fish, the misleading claim on the bottle and not properly cycling their tanks did.
originally posted on petcircle.com.au
I use this stuff all the time, what's more I occasionally overuse it and see no negative effects... Getting new fish? Use API QuickStart... Changing water? Use API QuickStart... Water a bit smelly? Use API QuickStart... Feel like giving the fish/tank a treat? Use API QuickStart... I have tried some other brands similar products and I get smelly tank or algae growth... Ick... Use API QuickStart...
| Product dimensions | 6.35 x 6.35 x 22.23 cm; 381 Grams |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Is discontinued by manufacturer | No |
| Liquid volume | 16 Fluid Ounces |
| Target species | Fish |
API Aquarium Water Treatment, 473 ml, (Pack of 1), 89E
Delivery $7.99
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
API, Quick Start Water Conditioner, 16 oz
Delivery $27.05
API Quick Start Freshwater And Saltwater Aquarium Water Treatment 473ml
Delivery between 25–31 Mar $8.61
Api Quick Start 473ml
QUICK START 473ml
On my second bottle and it just does not work. Does not seem to have any live BB. Have been maintaining my tank's ph level, temperature, water changes etc. but adding this does not makes any difference. Do not buy unless you want a bottle of expensive water.
Im using this to fishless cycle a new tank, along with Seachem Prime, Stability, and ammonia. The bottle is misleading, if you put this product in an uncycled tank and then drop fish in right after, your fish will die. You need to be patient and properly cycle the tank. Its easier than it sounds but it takes time. This product didnt kill anyones fish, the misleading claim on the bottle and not properly cycling their tanks did.
I use this stuff all the time, what's more I occasionally overuse it and see no negative effects... Getting new fish? Use API QuickStart... Changing water? Use API QuickStart... Water a bit smelly? Use API QuickStart... Feel like giving the fish/tank a treat? Use API QuickStart... I have tried some other brands similar products and I get smelly tank or algae growth... Ick... Use API QuickStart...
Love this and ended up moving onto the biggest bottles. Make sure you know how to use it though as its a good trap for many new fishkeepers. It's not that it "doesnt work" you just have to do it right. Make sure the bottle is in date as out of date bacteria is dead bacteria most likely. When using for fish in cycling, dose the aquarium EVERY DAY with this until your ammonia and nitrites are 0ppm (with API liquid test kit; a worthy investment) and make sure you keep nitrates under 40ppm. When adding more fish after your cycle, use the bacteria every day once again for at LEAST a week to let the tank get used to the new ammonia. Always introduce new fish in small amounts. Hope this helped someone, but always do your research!
There are many products on the market that claim to "instantly cycle" an aquarium. In my opinion, there is nothing that works instantly but this comes close. The first thing to consider is you need an ammonia source for this to work. A fish will work but it is very stressful and some consider it cruel. Fishfood rotting works but will leave a dirty tank. The best thing is to buy a good test kit and some ammonia designed for an aquarium. Dose the aquarium to get ammonia and add this product. You can add more than needed. For about a week I put in a double dose. One went in the tank and one in the filter. Keep testing the ammonia. When it gets to zero dose it again. What will happen is after the ammonia is neutralized, a high nitrite reading will appear. Keep dosing ... MoreThere are many products on the market that claim to "instantly cycle" an aquarium. In my opinion, there is nothing that works instantly but this comes close. The first thing to consider is you need an ammonia source for this to work. A fish will work but it is very stressful and some consider it cruel. Fishfood rotting works but will leave a dirty tank. The best thing is to buy a good test kit and some ammonia designed for an aquarium. Dose the aquarium to get ammonia and add this product. You can add more than needed. For about a week I put in a double dose. One went in the tank and one in the filter. Keep testing the ammonia. When it gets to zero dose it again. What will happen is after the ammonia is neutralized, a high nitrite reading will appear. Keep dosing with the ammonia every few days until the nitrites and ammonia are zero and the nitrates start to show. When this happens you are cycled. It is a good idea to keep adding the ammonia without the API for at least a week to make sure, testing daily. If you still have zero nitrites and ammonia along with some nitrates you are good to get fish. Only get three or so at first and make sure the water gets changed first. The other advantage of this product is it can be added after water changes, filter media changes or adding fish. It is good to have to add at those times. Always have it in case the aquarium crashes and you need a bump start.
A neighbor of mine told me that he took his aquarium down because every time he bought fish that just died. After they died he'd close down the aquarium for a month or two then he'd try again. This last time I convinced him to do things a little different. I told him that he could not use tap water and have anything survive instead I got him to use API Quick Start and wait a few day's before getting any fish. I got a call a few days later and he was amazed his fish were still alive. What he didn't know was that Quick Start gives your aquarium a head start in establishing the necessary biological environment needed for the fish to live. It also work on controlling ammonia and nitrite levels until the tank can do that on it's own. I've helped my friend along now and ... MoreA neighbor of mine told me that he took his aquarium down because every time he bought fish that just died. After they died he'd close down the aquarium for a month or two then he'd try again. This last time I convinced him to do things a little different. I told him that he could not use tap water and have anything survive instead I got him to use API Quick Start and wait a few day's before getting any fish. I got a call a few days later and he was amazed his fish were still alive. What he didn't know was that Quick Start gives your aquarium a head start in establishing the necessary biological environment needed for the fish to live. It also work on controlling ammonia and nitrite levels until the tank can do that on it's own. I've helped my friend along now and he still is enjoying his healthy aquarium. If you have to set up an aquarium and enjoy watching your new fish in less time then normal then Quick Start is definitely something you need.
AVOID this stuff unless you want to waste money. Get Dr Tim's bacteria instead. More expensive but it's the real deal. The problem with API is most of this crap has been sitting around for a long time at the wrong temps and the bacteria dies.
Whilst I don’t buy this with the intention of putting creatures straight into the tank, I use it to add bacteria to the tank and force the tank to start cycling so that I can then leave a week or so before adding any inhabitants to the water. On this occasion it’s been 8 days since the tank start and plants were added. The tank has been running since and should now be settled enough to add occupants. I’ve added 2 shrimp and a snail today (day 8) and so far everyone appears fine. Hopefully in a few more weeks I will add a few others and everything should remain steady. As with all my reviews I will update accordingly should anything change.
Wish I could give more stars !!!!! Absolutely nothing was killing the ammonia that was in my bettas tank until this!! I used this after doing a complete Water and filter change cuz my betta has gotten sick so I needed a clean tank for him but the ammmonia just wouldnt go away no matter what I tried ... until this mirical !!! It also came faster than it said it would which was a life saver !! This stuff is amazing and it only took a couple of hours for it to make the aquarium safe for my betta !! Get this if you are setting up a new tank or redoing the tank
I used this solution about a week into cycling my fish tank (fishless cycle using ammonia) and it did bring down the ammonia in a few days. It didn't appear to make any noticeable difference for nitrites though as the levels continued to climb past 5ppm to unmeasurable levels due to test kits stopping at 5ppm. Later on I purchased a competing product and it effectively brought down nitrites in one day. I believe a 2 part process where you first input the bacteria for ammonia and then several days later administer nitrite bacteria would be more effective than an all in one solution sort of a part 1 and a part 2.
| Product dimensions | 6.35 x 6.35 x 22.23 cm; 381 Grams |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Is discontinued by manufacturer | No |
| Liquid volume | 16 Fluid Ounces |
| Target species | Fish |
