--- product_id: 1780632 title: "API QUICK START Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Nitrifying Bacteria 16-Ounce Bottle" brand: "api" price: "$96.52" currency: USD in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 category: "Api" url: https://mariana.desertcart.com/products/1780632-api-quick-start-freshwater-and-saltwater-aquarium-nitrifying-bacteria-16 store_origin: MP region: Northern Mariana Islands --- # Instant fish addition All-natural, no refrigeration Rapid ammonia & nitrite removal API QUICK START Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Nitrifying Bacteria 16-Ounce Bottle **Brand:** api **Price:** $96.52 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🐠 Instant cycle, endless aquatic bliss! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** API QUICK START Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Nitrifying Bacteria 16-Ounce Bottle by api - **How much does it cost?** $96.52 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [mariana.desertcart.com](https://mariana.desertcart.com/products/1780632-api-quick-start-freshwater-and-saltwater-aquarium-nitrifying-bacteria-16) ## Best For - api enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted api brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Safe for Fresh & Saltwater:** Versatile formula supports all aquarium types, protecting your aquatic community. - • **Cycle Your Tank in Record Time:** Skip the wait—add fish immediately with patented nitrifying bacteria. - • **Stress-Free Routine Maintenance:** Use during water changes, filter swaps, or after medication to maintain balance. - • **Keep Your Aquarium Crystal Clear:** Scientifically proven to reduce harmful ammonia and nitrite for healthier water. - • **Trusted by Thousands of Aquarists:** 4.8-star rating from over 15,000 reviews—join the thriving fish-keeper community. ## Overview API QUICK START delivers live nitrifying bacteria in a 16-ounce bottle that instantly kickstarts your freshwater or saltwater aquarium cycle. This all-natural, no-refrigeration-needed formula rapidly eliminates toxic ammonia and nitrite, allowing immediate fish introduction and preventing new tank syndrome. Ideal for new setups, water changes, filter media swaps, and post-medication use, it’s trusted by thousands for maintaining crystal-clear, healthy aquatic environments. ## Description Product Description In a new aquarium, harmful ammonia and nitrite build up from fish waste, often resulting in fish loss or new tank syndrome. The unique, patented nitrifying in API quick start are scientifically proven to quickly consume ammonia and nitrite to help prevent new tank syndrome. Allows immediate addition of fish to a new freshwater or saltwater aquarium. Use when starting a new aquarium, adding new fish, changing water, changing filter media, after medicating, or whenever ammonia or nitrite are detected. Allows instant addition of fish. Helps prevent fish loss. Immediately starts aquarium cycle. Contains live, nitrifying . No refrigeration required. All natural. desertcart.com Aquarium Nitrifying Bacteria Review: Seemlessly cycled tank - My old aquarium started leaking at the sides so I had to replace it in a hurry. Besides using the same filter media in the new tank that was used in the old tank, I started from scratch with everything else in the tank. I bought this Quickstart product in hopes I can avoid going through the long cycling process that's hard on fish. After filling the new tank I added the amount stated on the bottle, and adding a smaller amount with each weekly water change. It's been about a month and my new aquarium has remained crystal clear the entire time without any signs of bacterial bloom or cloudiness, I've also been using water test strips and so far the water quality has remained good. While I'm sure using previously used filter media helped, there have been times before when I've upgraded to new tanks and the water still would become cloudy even with a previously used filter so I feel like this product definitely made a difference. I originally purchased it to help with the initial cycling but now I plan to continue using it when doing larger water changes or when replacing the filter media. Review: Seems fine - Doesnt stink, haven’t seen any issues. More concentrated than past brands. ## Features - Contains one (1) API QUICK START Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Nitrifying Bacteria 16-Ounce Bottle - Allows instant addition of fish when starting a new aquarium - Reduces compounds harmful to fish when used routinely - Helps prevent fish loss in freshwater and saltwater aquariums - Use when starting a new aquarium, when adding new fish and when changing water and filter media ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B006YG12F6 | | Allergen Information | Apple Free | | Best Sellers Rank | #1,486 in Pet Supplies ( See Top 100 in Pet Supplies ) #4 in Aquarium Water Treatments | | Brand | API | | Brand Name | API | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 15,359 Reviews | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00317163050897 | | Item Form | Liquid | | Item Type Name | Aquarium Bacteria | | Item Weight | 454 g | | Liquid Volume | 473.6 ml | | Manufacturer | Mars Fishcare | | Manufacturer Part Number | 89E | | Model Number | 89E | | Number of Items | 1 | | Number of Packs | 1 | | Pet Type | Fish | | Target Species | Fish | | UPC | 317163050897 | | Unit Count | 16 Fluid Ounces | ## Product Details - **Brand:** API - **Item Form:** Liquid - **Item Weight:** 454 g - **Liquid Volume:** 473.6 ml - **Number of Packs:** 1 ## Images ![API QUICK START Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Nitrifying Bacteria 16-Ounce Bottle - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71mBwfVu-DL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Size** options. ## Questions & Answers **Q: Does It Have Parmesan In It?** A: Answers to the reasonable assumptions about the word in your question: (1) Paramecium: No. This is nitrifying bacteria which are classified highly as prokaryotic organisms, whereas paramecium are eukaryote organisms. Some tiny fish babies will eat paramecium and they are cultured in some fisheries to create deeper ecosystems of microscopic organisms. (2) Parmesan: Without an actual ingredient list it would be hard to tell. If you think about it, somewhere somehow there is probably a molecule or two (million) of Parmesan stuff in every bottle. Blame probability if you like, but it's probs in there in some way. Which means that it potentially could have red pepper flakes too. I would however not recommend putting this on your next pizza. **Q: Can I use marine quick start in freshwater?** A: NO! There is a Marine Quick Start and a Freshwater Quick Start for a reason. Marine beneficial bacteria will die in freshwater and Freshwater beneficial bacteria will die in marine water. Marine and Freshwater beneficial bacterias are very different from one another. Api makes Makes both versions. **Q: Why is my nirates level still high** A: Nitrates are the end product in the nitrogen cycle. One type of bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite. The other type converts the nitrite into nitrate. Nitrates are much less toxic than ammonia or nitrite, but must be removed through water changes or by special filter media. Live plants also use nitrates for food. High nitrates can be a symptom of overfeeding. If water changes don't lower nitrate levels, your water could already have high nitrate levels. You could test your tap water to be sure. **Q: What is the expiration date? How long does it keep?** A: if you look at the back of the bottle above the blue line you will see stamped print with the date,mine (almost empty) is good til 03/2016.ar bottom you will see a phone number 1-800-847-0659 that answers all questions. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Seemlessly cycled tank *by S***A on May 17, 2026* My old aquarium started leaking at the sides so I had to replace it in a hurry. Besides using the same filter media in the new tank that was used in the old tank, I started from scratch with everything else in the tank. I bought this Quickstart product in hopes I can avoid going through the long cycling process that's hard on fish. After filling the new tank I added the amount stated on the bottle, and adding a smaller amount with each weekly water change. It's been about a month and my new aquarium has remained crystal clear the entire time without any signs of bacterial bloom or cloudiness, I've also been using water test strips and so far the water quality has remained good. While I'm sure using previously used filter media helped, there have been times before when I've upgraded to new tanks and the water still would become cloudy even with a previously used filter so I feel like this product definitely made a difference. I originally purchased it to help with the initial cycling but now I plan to continue using it when doing larger water changes or when replacing the filter media. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Seems fine *by J***E on August 3, 2026* Doesnt stink, haven’t seen any issues. More concentrated than past brands. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Must‑Have for Safe, Fast, and Stress‑Free Tank Cycling *by W***E on June 5, 2026* Works fast, keeps ammonia and nitrite in check, and makes new tank setups stress‑free. Great for both freshwater and saltwater. Highly recommend. ## Frequently Bought Together - API QUICK START Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Nitrifying Bacteria 16-Ounce Bottle - API STRESS COAT Aquarium Water Conditioner 16-Ounce Bottle - API STRESS ZYME Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Cleaning Solution 16-Ounce Bottle --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://mariana.desertcart.com/products/1780632-api-quick-start-freshwater-and-saltwater-aquarium-nitrifying-bacteria-16](https://mariana.desertcart.com/products/1780632-api-quick-start-freshwater-and-saltwater-aquarium-nitrifying-bacteria-16) --- *Product available on Desertcart Northern Mariana Islands* *Store origin: MP* *Last updated: 2026-08-18*