Hi when do you add fish when using aquastart?

I add it the same day I add the fish, as it needs the ammonium from the fish to feed it & keep it alive. I put some directly in my filter, and the rest all over the gravel. If I'm starting a new tank, I will add the whole bottle in one go. Just don't go vrazy and add a massive bioload, or you'll need a much larger bottle. Also used these to cycle a new air filter sat in a bucket, and added a large pinch of crumbled fish food to feed it ammonia. Tested daily with API test kit, all levels settled exactly as they should do for completing a cycle.

My tank has a 12L capacity how much should I use 10ml?

It is advised on the back of the bottle, 5ml for every 10ltrs of water, as this is a conditioner to remove chemicals such a chlorine, I can advise that for a 12ltr tank, 10ml is fine, just make sure you let it sit for at least 5-10 minuets to make sure the solution has done its job, this goes the same for changing your water, fill the container used to top the tank up with fresh water and add the solution, mix well and let it sit, then just add in, if your fish are tropical, I would advise making the solution a few hours before so it can get up to room temp and this will then be tempred water, your fish can sometimes be shocked by the sudden change in temperature. Hope this helps

Im currently using api quick start without much of a result, can i also use this product or will i have to perform a huge water change before hand

I think you should be okay to use this without a water change, as the bacteria won't harm the fish and will just die if there isn't enough ammonia to feed them.

Is this product similar to/same as api stress zyme?

Not really. SafeStart includes bacteria to help with 'new tank syndrome' by breaking down ammonia and nitrite, allowing introduction of fish much quicker and kick starting the nitrogen cycle. Stresszyme claims to breakdown ammonia and nitrite somewhat, but it is mainly composed of bacteria which breaks down organics (sludge) in the filter and tank, helping to keep the filter, substrate and glass clean (enabling less maintenance). Stesszyme can be helpful as a weekly maintenance boost product but isn't really worth the money (your aquarium and filter will already have the bacteria to breakdown organics). You should only need to use SafeStart when starting up a new aquarium (if you insist on adding a few fish straight away), but it is expensive. SafeStart should not be needed for maintenance unless you are doing something wrong, or your filter is not up to standard. It may however be useful after using antibiotics etc. Hope this helps.

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🦠 Dive into a thriving aquarium ecosystem—fast, safe, and hassle-free!

STRESS FREE MAINTENANCE - Use after water changes or medication to maintain a stable, healthy tank without downtime.
INSTANT AQUARIUM BALANCE - Introduce fish immediately with live bacteria that jumpstart your tank’s ecosystem.
ROOM TEMPERATURE STABILITY - Keeps fresh and effective for up to 12 months without refrigeration—convenience meets performance.
SYNERGIZES WITH TETRA AQUA SAFE - Boosts bacterial colonization when paired with Tetra AquaSafe for ultimate water quality.
POWERFUL AMMONIA NITRITE CONTROL - Reduces harmful ammonia by up to 14x and nitrite by up to 10x for a safer aquatic environment.

Tetra SafeStart Aquarium Starter is a 50 ml liquid treatment containing specially bred live nitrifying bacteria that rapidly reduce toxic ammonia and nitrite levels, enabling immediate fish introduction in freshwater aquariums. It supports biological balance, prevents nitrite spikes, and remains effective for up to 12 months at room temperature, making aquarium setup and maintenance faster and safer.

Reviews

N**E

Sets tank up perfect

Perfect, 1 day after using my tank is testing the right ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, definitely recommend!

12.06.2025

A**A

Excellent Product

19.06.2025

A**Z

Great Start for a Beginner Aquarium

As someone just beginning my journey with aquariums, I was recommended Tetra SafeStart by a local fish shop owner. I must say, it has been a great experience so far. The product was easy to use, and it really helped to quickly establish a healthy environment for my fish. Everything is going smoothly, and I’m very satisfied with the results. Perfect for anyone starting out with an aquarium!

10.08.2024

W**.

Think it works

Been using it with every water change and the tank stays cleaner for longer

21.11.2023

A**R

Good

Great value

19.09.2025

S**S

No title

Does what it says

9.08.2025

S**N

Ideal for or startup or...

In my case after having to use formaldehyde based medication after introducing new fish which came with free of charge parasites. The medicine can also wipe out other micro-organisms so as a precaution against that... Used this.

6.08.2024

N**H

Good Aquarium Product

Good Aquarium Product - useful tool for keeping your aquarium safe. Does the job & fair price.

22.10.2024

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Pet Type	Fish and Aquatic^Fish and Aquatic
Package Dimensions	9.3 x 4.6 x 2.3 cm; 60 g
Item model number	T168
Pet Life Stage	All Life Stages
Item Form	Liquid
Colour	clear
Size	50ml
Volume	50 Millilitres
Number of Items	1
Quantity	1
Specific Uses	Indoor^Suitable for Fresh Water
Batteries required	No
Batteries Included	No
Item Weight	60 g

TetraSafeStart Aquarium Starter - with live nitrifying bacteria, allows the rapid introduction of fish in an aquarium, 50 ml bottle.

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