{"product_id":"api-aquarium-start-up-pack-stress-coat-quick-start-30ml-on-card","title":"API Aquarium Start Up Pack (Stress Coat \u0026 Quick Start) - 30ml on Card","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafe tap water and a live bacteria starter, in one pack.\u003c\/strong\u003e The API Aquarium Start Up Pack is a carded two-bottle kit holding 30 mL of API Stress Coat and 30 mL of API Quick Start. Stress Coat neutralises chlorine and chloramine in tap water; Quick Start adds live nitrifying bacteria so ammonia and nitrite have somewhere to go. Those are the two jobs a brand new freshwater tank needs done on day one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 x API Stress Coat, 30 mL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 x API Quick Start, 30 mL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRetail card with directions for both bottles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eNot included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pack is a starter, not a full setup. You will still need:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA water test kit — nothing in this pack tells you what your ammonia or nitrite is doing. See the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit 5 in 1\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA thermometer — API's directions say fish can go in once temperature and pH are correct, which means you need to be reading them. See the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/marina-floating-glass-thermometer\"\u003eMarina Floating Glass Thermometer\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOngoing dechlorinator — 30 mL will not last past the first month or two of water changes. See \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-stress-coat\"\u003eAPI Stress Coat\u003c\/a\u003e in full bottle sizes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOngoing bacteria if you are adding stock in stages. See \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-quick-start\"\u003eAPI Quick Start\u003c\/a\u003e in full bottle sizes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo filter, heater, substrate, food or test equipment is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far do the two bottles actually go?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two bottles do not treat the same volume, because they are dosed at different rates. Worked from API's own label rates rather than a headline figure:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBottle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLabel dose rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDoses in 30 mL\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFreshwater volume covered\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAPI Stress Coat 30 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mL per 10 US gallons (38 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 227 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAPI Quick Start 30 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 mL per 10 US gallons (38 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 113 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo the pack as a whole covers about 113 litres of water with both treatments — Quick Start is the limiting bottle, and you will finish it while Stress Coat still has half its contents left. API's directions double the Quick Start dose for saltwater, which brings that bottle down to roughly 56 litres of marine water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the current pack price of $13.45, that works out to about $0.11 per litre treated on the limiting bottle. That figure moves if the price changes, so treat it as a guide rather than a fixed number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat makes this pack a good fit for a first tank up to about 110 litres, or for two rounds of dosing on a tank around half that size. It is not enough to cycle and maintain a large aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoth day-one jobs in one purchase\u003c\/strong\u003e — dechlorination and bacteria, without working out which two products to pair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAloe vera in the conditioner\u003c\/strong\u003e — Stress Coat declares aloe vera leaf at 0.05 g per 100 mL alongside its sodium thiosulfate dechlorinator.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbout $0.11 per litre treated\u003c\/strong\u003e — based on the pack's limiting bottle (Quick Start) covering 113 L, at the current pack price.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFish can go in the same day\u003c\/strong\u003e — API states fish may be added immediately after dosing, provided temperature and pH are correct.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall bottles, honest sizing\u003c\/strong\u003e — 30 mL each, which is a first-tank quantity rather than an ongoing supply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarded retail pack\u003c\/strong\u003e — the Australian pack uses 30 mL bottles; API's North American pack uses 1.25 oz (37 mL) bottles, so overseas dosing charts will not match this one exactly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill the aquarium and bring it to temperature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd API Stress Coat first, at 5 mL per 38 L of aquarium water. This makes the tap water safe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShake the Quick Start bottle well, then add it at 10 mL per 38 L. Double that dose for a saltwater aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce temperature and pH are correct, fish can be added.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStock slowly and keep testing ammonia and nitrite for the first few weeks. Bacteria populations still need time to build to a full bioload.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack contents\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAPI Stress Coat 30 mL and API Quick Start 30 mL, on card\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTotal liquid\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 mL across two bottles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStress Coat active\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAloe vera leaf, 0.05 g per 100 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStress Coat other ingredients\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSodium thiosulfate, edetic acid, povidone, water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eQuick Start active\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLive nitrifying bacteria (species not declared by API)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStress Coat dose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mL per 38 L; double to help repair damaged skin and fins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eQuick Start dose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 mL per 38 L; double for saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVolume covered by both\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 113 L freshwater, about 56 L saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCost per litre treated\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout $0.11 per litre, at current pricing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater. Quick Start is separately rated for saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOrder of dosing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStress Coat first, then Quick Start\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFreight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIngredients\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranscribed from API's registered labels, checked 7 August 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBottle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eActive ingredient\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOther ingredients\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAPI Stress Coat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAloe vera leaf, 0.05 g per 100 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSodium thiosulfate, edetic acid, povidone, water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAPI Quick Start\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLive nitrifying bacteria\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot declared\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI describes the Quick Start bacteria as a patented nitrifying culture but does not publish the species on the label or its product pages, so we cannot list them here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA first freshwater aquarium up to about 110 litres\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNano tanks, betta tanks and bowls, where 30 mL is a genuine supply rather than a sample\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRestarting a tank after a filter failure or a large clean\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping a spare set of both treatments on hand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOngoing water changes on a large tank — buy the full bottles instead\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarine setups relying on the Stress Coat bottle, as API sells a separate Marine Stress Coat for saltwater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a test kit. Adding bacteria does not tell you whether the cycle has established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick Start contains live bacteria, so treat it as perishable: store it out of direct sun and away from heat, and shake it well before every dose. Both bottles keep best in a cupboard rather than on a windowsill or in a hot garage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit 5 in 1\u003c\/a\u003e — the missing half of this pack. It shows you whether the bacteria have taken hold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-stress-coat\"\u003eAPI Stress Coat\u003c\/a\u003e — the full-size bottle you will need once the 30 mL runs out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-quick-start\"\u003eAPI Quick Start\u003c\/a\u003e — full-size bottle for staged stocking or a larger tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-aquarium-salt\"\u003eAPI Aquarium Salt\u003c\/a\u003e — freshwater tonic salt, often used alongside a new setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-tapwater-conditioner\"\u003eAPI Tapwater Conditioner\u003c\/a\u003e — a more concentrated dechlorinator if you only need chlorine removal without aloe vera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are consumables, so no manufacturer warranty period applies. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law are unaffected: if the product is faulty, unsafe or not as described, you are entitled to a remedy. Ships as standard freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow much water does the API Aquarium Start Up Pack treat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing both bottles together, about 113 litres of freshwater. The 30 mL Stress Coat bottle covers about 227 litres at 5 mL per 38 L, but the 30 mL Quick Start bottle only covers about 113 litres at 10 mL per 38 L, so Quick Start is the limiting component. For saltwater the Quick Start dose doubles, bringing it to about 56 litres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I add fish straight after using this pack?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI states that fish can be added immediately after dosing, provided temperature and pH are correct. In practice, stock slowly and keep testing ammonia and nitrite for the first few weeks, because the bacteria population still has to grow to match your fish load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhich bottle goes in first?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStress Coat first, then Quick Start. The conditioner has to neutralise chlorine and chloramine before the live bacteria go into the water, otherwise you are dosing bacteria into water that will kill them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes this pack work for a saltwater aquarium?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick Start is rated for saltwater at double the freshwater dose. The Stress Coat in this pack is API's standard freshwater formula, and API sells a separate Marine Stress Coat for saltwater aquariums, so treat this pack as a freshwater starter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs this the same as the pack sold overseas?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot quite. The Australian pack holds two 30 mL bottles, while API's North American pack holds two 1.25 oz (37 mL) bottles. The dose rates are identical, but a US chart showing how far each bottle goes will overstate the Australian pack by about 20 percent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I still need a test kit if I use Quick Start?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Quick Start seeds nitrifying bacteria but gives you no reading. Only a test kit shows whether ammonia and nitrite are actually being converted, which is the difference between a cycled tank and one that looks fine until fish start struggling.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55242294591779,"sku":"BA2015","price":13.45,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/APH270_16.png?v=1786075725","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-aquarium-start-up-pack-stress-coat-quick-start-30ml-on-card","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}