A little less guesswork.
API Quick Start calculator
API Quick Start liquid — choose freshwater or saltwater — US label directions
Read the product guide and worked examples ↓
Clear amounts. Visible assumptions.
Your calculation, explained
Choose a product and enter the water you’re actually dosing.
- Check the exact product and formulation.
- Use measured water, or make an explicit estimate.
- Review the amount, source and any schedule.
Product guide · edited 28 October 2026
Jump to a section
Freshwater or saltwater Quick Start?
API’s US directions use 10 mL per 10 US gallons in freshwater and double that amount in saltwater. Choose the correct mode and match the exact regional bottle.
Worked examples
These illustrations use 100 L of measured water, without a decor deduction. Choose the matching stage or formulation above for your own water volume. They do not select a treatment or establish livestock suitability.
Freshwater
| Stage | Amount or action for 100 L |
|---|---|
| At the label setup / maintenance trigger | 26.42 mL |
Saltwater — double the freshwater amount
| Stage | Amount or action for 100 L |
|---|---|
| At the label setup / maintenance trigger | 52.83 mL |
Example only. Your calculation above uses your own inputs. Small amounts and powder fractions still need equipment that can measure them reliably.
Before you measure
Shake well and store cool and dry. Record water-test results alongside additions. The amount alone does not certify that the filter can process a proposed stocking level.
Product-specific checks from the calculation record
- Shake well and store cool and dry. Continue testing water quality; an amount alone does not prove the biological filter can support a stocking level.
- These quantities follow the manufacturer’s US label. If your bottle gives different reference volumes or strengths, use that label and request its specific variant.
Does adding bacteria replace ammonia and nitrite testing?
No. A recorded dose says what was added; tests and aquarium conditions show what is happening afterward.
Sources and next steps
Manufacturer page consulted 28 October 2026. Match the exact bottle and leaflet; editorial review does not establish diagnosis or compatibility.
Optional buying links
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API Quick Start, 1 fl oz
View on Amazon US (affiliate link) — API Quick Start, 1 fl oz; opens in a new tabCheck the selected bottle, formulation and label before buying. These links do not select a treatment or change your dose. Prices, sellers and availability are shown on Amazon. About these links.