API Quick Start
Pack size
30 mL
Cost per litre
$0.30
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Pack size
118 mL
Cost per litre
$0.17
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Pack size
237 mL
Cost per litre
$0.13
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Pack size
473 mL
Cost per litre
9.9c
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Pack size
946 mL
Cost per litre
9.5c
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
API Quick Start
Add fish to a brand-new tank the same day it goes up. API Quick Start is a liquid dose of live nitrifying bacteria that seeds the biological filter instantly, so ammonia and nitrite from new fish are broken down from day one instead of building up during a multi-week cycle. It suits freshwater and saltwater aquariums and ponds, and doubles as a bacterial top-up after a big water change, a filter clean, or a course of medication.
Key features
- Live nitrifying bacteria – starts converting ammonia and nitrite immediately, rather than waiting for bacteria to colonise on their own.
- Fresh and saltwater – one bottle works in both, at different dose rates (see the dosing table below).
- Five bottle sizes – 30 mL through to 946 mL, so a nano tank and a large system both get a size that isn't wasteful.
- Reduces new-tank fish loss – the biological filter is active before ammonia has a chance to spike.
- From under 9c per litre treated – see the cost-per-litre table below for exact figures by bottle size.
Dosage and directions
Shake well before use.
| Water type | Dose | Water treated |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater | 10 mL per 10 US gallons (38 L) | 3.8 L per mL dosed |
| Saltwater | 20 mL per 10 US gallons (38 L) – double the freshwater dose | 1.9 L per mL dosed |
Use when setting up a new tank, adding fish, after a large water change, after cleaning or replacing filter media, or once a course of medication has finished. API does not publish the specific bacterial strains used in this formula.
Specifications
| Brand | API (Mars Fishcare) |
|---|---|
| Type | Live nitrifying bacteria, liquid |
| Water type | Freshwater and saltwater |
| Bottle sizes | 30 mL, 118 mL, 237 mL, 473 mL, 946 mL |
| Storage | Cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight |
| Freight | Standard |
Which size do I need? And cost per litre
Saltwater needs twice the dose of freshwater for the same volume, so the litres one bottle treats – and the cost per litre – depends on the water type as well as the size you buy. The saltwater figures below are the conservative ones; freshwater treats roughly double.
| Size | Litres treated (saltwater) | Litres treated (freshwater) | Cost per litre (saltwater) | Cost per litre (freshwater) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mL | 57 L | 114 L | 29c | 14c |
| 118 mL | 224 L | 448 L | 16c | 8c |
| 237 mL | 450 L | 900 L | 13c | 6c |
| 473 mL | 898 L | 1,797 L | 9c | 4c |
| 946 mL | 1,797 L | 3,594 L | 9c | 4c |
The 946 mL bottle is cheapest per litre in saltwater use, but only narrowly ahead of the 473 mL – for most freshwater tanks the 118 mL or 237 mL size treats several hundred litres and won't sit half-used for years.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for:
- New aquarium and pond setups
- Topping up biological filtration after a big water change or filter clean
- Freshwater and saltwater fish systems, and soft coral systems
Not suitable for:
- Replacing regular water testing – it establishes the filter, it doesn't monitor it
- Treating an existing ammonia or nitrite spike without also fixing the cause, such as overstocking, overfeeding or a failing filter
Safety
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
- Not a substitute for water changes or a properly cycled filter over the long term.
Warranty and delivery
This is a consumable water treatment, so no manufacturer warranty period applies. That does not affect your rights under Australian Consumer Law: if the product is faulty, unsafe or not as described, you are entitled to a remedy. Ships as standard freight.
Common questions
Can I add fish immediately after dosing?
Yes – that's the point of the product. The bacteria are live and active on contact, rather than needing days to establish.
Do I use the same dose for freshwater and saltwater?
No. Saltwater needs double the freshwater dose for the same volume of water – 20 mL per 10 US gallons (38 L) in saltwater versus 10 mL in freshwater.
How long does one bottle last?
It depends on tank size and how often you're topping up the filter – see the cost-per-litre table above for how far each bottle size goes.
Does this replace a water conditioner or filter media?
No. It's a bacterial supplement for the biological filter, not a mechanical or chemical filter media, and it doesn't remove chlorine or chloramine from tap water.
