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Suppose you’re just starting up a new aquarium system. In that case, all the various information about the water cycle and nitrogen cycle, plus the processes of different beneficial bacteria, can get to be a little confusing.

In short, aquarium bacteria supplements will introduce the necessary microorganisms into your fish tank to make the ecosystem sustainable for fish, invertebrates, and other aquatic life.

A good population of bacteria is essential for a healthy tank system and will only come due to a completed water cycle and stable water conditions.

Keep reading to learn more about the nitrogen cycle, beneficial bacteria, and six of the best aquarium supplements available to kickstart your new fish tank.

What Do Beneficial Bacteria Do in the Aquarium?

Beneficial bacteria are the basis for a healthy aquarium and facilitate the nitrogen cycle.

In simplest terms, the nitrogen cycle is the process by which ammonia is converted to nitrite, which is then converted into nitrate.

Fish and other decaying organisms and matter create ammonia, and different kinds of bacteria process that ammonia into less toxic products, like nitrate.

As these bacteria uptake and convert these nutrients, they establish populations on all the surface areas of the aquarium, which is why some filtration media is made so porous. This process must occur for a new fish tank to be considered completely cycled.

This process, also known as the nitrogen cycle, is important because both ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic to most aquatic life; nitrate is also toxic, but only at extremely high values.

Without beneficial bacteria in your aquarium, the ammonia would stay in its current state and lead to uninhabitable conditions for fish, invertebrates, and corals.

How Do You Increase Good Bacteria in Your Aquarium?

One of the easiest ways to increase good bacteria in your aquarium is by providing more space for them to grow.

As your fish tank becomes more established, the bacteria population will stabilize itself, given the number of nutrients imported or how many nutrients are entering the system at any given time.

Good tank maintenance and water quality will ensure that these bacteria populations have ideal and consistent conditions to thrive.

However, new tanks need an initial source of bacteria for colonies to begin the aquarium cycle after introducing a source of ammonia.

Facilitating an aquarium cycle can be accomplished in a few ways, such as introducing already-mature filter media from another tank, live rock, or aquarium bacteria supplement.

Bacteria supplements can quickly introduce the essential organisms needed to process the nitrogen cycle, making the tank safe for inhabitants.

Keep in mind that beneficial bacteria will not generate ammonia on their own for the organisms to convert, and most aquarium bacteria supplements will require an external input of ammonia for the organisms to begin the process.

These bacteria supplements may also be used as a fish tank stabilizer for struggling and/or adjusting tanks. They might be best to use if the aquarium has had a recent increase in bioload from added livestock, die-off, or that has been recently medicated.

Some hobbyists even like to use supplemental aquarium bacteria after every water change to help restabilize the system, though this is often unnecessary.

The Nitrogen Cycle in Detail

So what is this nitrogen cycle, and why is it important for the success of your fish tank?

Nitrogen (N) is an essential chemical element in the composition and workings of DNA and proteins. Nitrogen is found in the atmosphere in the form of N₂, where two nitrogen atoms are bonded together; N₂ is actually the most abundant molecule in the air, making up 78% of the atmosphere as opposed to 21% of oxygen.

Nitrifying bacteria are able to process this N₂ by way of nitrogen fixation. These bacteria can be found in soil and water or may have symbiotic relationships with live plants.

Once nitrogen fixation is completed, the result is ammonia (NH₃), which can be directly taken up by plants and later transferred to animals through consumption.

The live plants will further process the ammonia into nitrites and nitrates. When these plants are consumed, animals may also incorporate ammonia into various bodily functionings or pass a form of ammonia as waste; most aquarium fish usually pass ammonia, while elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) pass urea.

The remaining nitrites from these processes are further converted to nitrates, which are less toxic and more readily taken up by plants and animals for photosynthesis and DNA/protein inclusion.

The remaining nitrates are integrated into nitrogen gas by facultative bacteria; if nitrate is limited, these bacteria will resort to processing nitrite and other forms of the element.

Nitrogen as a Limiting Nutrient

Because nitrogen is such an important component of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems, it is usually considered a limiting nutrient. This means that the growth and the population counts of many organisms rely on nitrogen to be in abundance; when nitrogen is limited, those populations and growth rates are also limited.

However, too much nitrogen can lead to eutrophic conditions, where algae and other nuisance plants quickly deplete the water of important nutrients; eutrophication is usually a result of excess phosphates.

Once the nutrients have been depleted, the large quantities of plants and algae can no longer sustain themselves, leading to a large die-off. As this organic matter decomposes, bacteria and other microorganisms break down what is left and create carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

Not only does this carbon dioxide lower the overall pH of the surrounding area leading to ocean acidification, but it can cause additional die-offs in other distant freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.

Aquarium Bacteria Supplements

Aquarium bacteria supplements help offset new tank syndrome, which is a blanket term for the problems that often arise in a newly setup freshwater or saltwater aquarium; these problems are usually the result of unfavorable and easily-fluctuating water parameters, mainly with ammonia and nitrite.

The best aquarium bacteria supplements will help lessen the problems that come along with new tank syndrome by introducing the necessary bacteria to detoxify these extreme nutrient levels quickly.

Top 6 Best Aquarium Bacteria Supplements 

Below, we have listed six of our top aquarium bacteria supplements based on brand, reliability, price, and customer reviews.

Dr. Tim’s One and Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria

Dr. Tim’s One and Only is one of the most reliable forms of nitrifying bacteria. This product is available in 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 fluid-ounce options, with specific bottles for freshwater and marine setups; at least 10 mL is needed per 10 gallons (37.9 L) of aquarium water and cannot be overdosed.

Dr. Tim introduces live, long-lasting bacteria into the aquarium that help process ammonia and nitrite until non-toxic levels are reached.

However, a source of ammonia will still need to be introduced to start the process. Some hobbyists have seen no immediate results or changes in levels over the first few weeks. This led them to switch to other products in the meantime.

Features:

• Eliminates new tank syndrome
• Instantly creates a bio filter
• Removes toxic ammonia and nitrite, naturally
• No sulfur or other offensive odors
• No wait needed

What We Like:

• Largely reliable and long-lasting supplement that does not contain sulfur or cause odors
• Designated options and sizes for freshwater and saltwater fish tanks
• Not possible to overdose if you accidentally add too much

What Could Be Better:

• It can take a while to see results/might not see results at all
• It still requires a source of ammonia and a water conditioner
• Larger tanks can be difficult to dose efficiently
• Relatively expensive

API Quick Start Nitrifying Bacteria

API Quick Start Nitrifying Bacteria is a popular method for introducing the bacteria needed to convert ammonia and nitrite into less toxic states.

The product is usually offered in 4, 8, 16, or 32-fluid-ounce options with designated freshwater and saltwater bottles.

API Quick Start Nitrifying Bacteria is advertised as allowing the hobbyist to immediately add fish once the correct dosage has been dosed into the tank.

However, we advise against cycling with livestock and using another source of ammonia instead of relying on live fish to create waste.

In this case, API Quick Start Nitrifying Bacteria will need to be supplemented with an external ammonia source. A water conditioner will still be necessary to remove chlorine and other heavy metals.

Overall, hobbyist reviews find API Quick Start Nitrifying Bacteria more effective when added to an established aquarium rather than a new tank.

It is recommended to use this product when adding new fish or other bioloads to the aquarium and when performing water changes.

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
• It helps prevent fish loss in freshwater and saltwater aquariums

What We Like:

• Effective for introducing additional bacteria into the tank
• Best when used for adding fish, offsetting an additional bioload, or performing water changes
• Many different sizes and aquarium system options
• Relatively inexpensive

What Could Be Better:

• Included ammonia source
• Included water conditioner

Seachem Stability Fish Tank Stabilizer

Seachem Stability Fish Tank Stabilizer helps reduce and eliminate ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate with resistant strains of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria.

The typical product size is 500 mL, designed for saltwater and freshwater fish tanks. 5 mL should be dosed on the first day for every 10 gallons (37.9 L) of water and then 5 mL for every 20 gallons (75.7 L) of water over the next 7 days.

Like the previous products, Seachem Stability initially requires an additional ammonia source to feed the bacteria.

Reviews also state that the product is not fully effective unless used together with Seachem Prime, a concentrated water conditioner that helps detoxify ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

 Features:

• TREATMENT: Stability is formulated specifically for the aquarium and contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria, which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

What We Like:

• Short, one-week dosage period
• Designed for both saltwater and freshwater fish tanks
• Hardy bacteria that don’t require specific water/tank conditions
• Relatively inexpensive

What Could Be Better:

• Requires ammonia source.
• It does best when paired with Seachem Prime, which is an additional cost.

Instant Ocean BIO-Spira Water Treatment for Aquariums

Instant Ocean BIO-Spira Water Treatment for Aquariums will accelerate the water cycle of a new fish tank considerably.

This beneficial bacteria supplement comes in two sizes, 3.38 fluid ounces, and 8.45 fluid ounces, and is designed specifically for saltwater aquariums; 5 mL treats 10 gallons (37.9 L) of water.

Like the previous bacteria supplements, Instant Ocean BIO-Spira neutralizes ammonia and nitrite through live nitrifying bacteria, like Nitrococcus, Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, and Nitrospira.

Conveniently, this product only needs to be dosed once, and the effects can usually be seen immediately.

Instant Ocean BIO-Spira has a moderate shelf life and does not need to be refrigerated. Still, using a water conditioner when dosing this supplement is necessary.

Features:

• FOR SALTWATER TANKS Also use after a water change when adding new fish or after medicating
• SHELF STABLE Does not require refrigeration

What We Like:

• One-time, quick dosage
• The exact types of aquarium bacteria listed
• It does not need to be refrigerated and has a moderate shelf life
• Relatively inexpensive

What Could Be Better:

• Only for saltwater aquariums
• One-time dosage can make it difficult to record results over time

Fluval Biological Enhancer for Aquarium

This aquarium bacteria supplement does not seem as immediate as other options. It might be better when used as a bacteria booster instead of as a means for cycling a new tank.

Fluval Biological Enhancer for Aquarium comes in various sizes, with 1.0, 4.0, 8.4, 16.9, and 64.0 fluid-ounce bottles, treating both saltwater and freshwater aquarium setups.

The smaller sizes make this brand, especially appealing for those with a betta fish tank or smaller systems that might not need such a large bottle.

To learn more about why betta fish need a cycled tank just as much as other fish, check out this guide here.

Reviews have found that this supplement balances water parameters within 3 weeks of setting up a new aquarium; this is only a little shorter than the typical 4-6 weeks it takes to cycle aquarium water.

It is also important to note that this product is equally advertised as efficient at replacing depleted bacteria populations during water changes and when filter media is changed.

Features:

• Immediately establishes a safe biological aquarium environment.
• Powerful responsive ammonia and nitrite elimination
• Prevents fish loss

What We Like:

• Variety of sizes for any freshwater or saltwater aquarium
• Cycles aquarium water faster than natural methods
• Useful for bolstering bacteria populations during water changes and filter media cleanings

What Could Be Better:

• It still takes several weeks to cycle aquarium water fully
• Mainly used for replacing already-existing bacteria

Nutrafin Cycle Biological Filter Supplement

Suppose you haven’t had luck with any of the other aquarium bacteria supplements in your fish tank. In that case, you might want to start looking at some of the more overlooked products, like Nutrafin Cycle Biological Filter Supplement.

This product is available in an 8.4-fluid-ounce or 16.9-fluid-ounce bottle and is designed for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums.

Many reviews have said they saw results as early as the first three days and as late as ten days.

Nutrafin Cycle Biological Filter Supplement has been specially engineered with bio-floc technology for improved shelf life.

This supplement may not be as effective as the others when facing high ammonia and nitrite levels, but it does well at keeping water conditions in check.

However, like the others, a source of ammonia and a water conditioner is necessary for seeding the new tank.

Features:

• Fast-acting responsive ammonia and nitrite elimination
• Consistent performance from each container due to bio-floc technology for improved shelf life and product viability

What We Like:

• Designed for both saltwater and freshwater needs
• Almost immediate results and timely water cycle
• Improved shelf life for later use

What Could Be Better:

• The expiration date is often not labeled on the bottle
• Need a source of ammonia and water conditioner
• Relatively expensive

Bacteria Supplements vs. Bacteria Starters

Bacteria supplements and bacteria starters are essentially the same things but by different names.

In essence, a product containing beneficial bacteria is designed to kick-start and speed up your tank’s cycling process.

After introducing new fish to your setup can use supplements and starters to help your existing biological filter media cope with increased bioload.

Adding fish medication to your aquarium can sometimes have an adverse effect on the bacterial colonies in your tank.

Once you’ve finished treating your fish, it can be useful to boost the bacteria population by adding a supplement or starter.

Suppose you carry out a large water change. In that case, that can dilute the bacterial population in your tank, so some aquarists like to add a bacteria supplement following water changes to restabilize the environment.

How Do I Store the Bacteria Supplements and Starters?

Bacteria starters and supplements should be stored at room temperature. Generally, bacteria starters can last for around six months or longer in a cooler room.

Unless the manufacturer recommends it, don’t store bacteria-containing products in the refrigerator, as the low temperatures will probably kill the bacteria.

All bacteria supplements have a use-by date. After that date, the bacteria become unviable and die off. Once the use-by date has been reached, you should dispose of the product.

How Often Should You Add Bacteria to Your Aquarium?

For established tanks, adding additional bacteria isn’t usually necessary; as long as the nutrient import and export in the system are balanced, then a mature tank should be able to maintain itself.

Of course, regular water changes and other tank maintenance will also need to be kept up with to keep the system balanced.

Beneficial bacteria are usually added to help facilitate the water cycle in a new tank; each product will have different dosage amounts and frequency instructions, usually found right on the back of the bottle or online.

Some hobbyists also supplement nitrifying bacteria when adding new fish, performing aquarium maintenance, or if medications have recently been used.

Many of these products cannot overdose, and it can be helpful to give your tank the boost it needs during these changes.

Can You Add Too Many Beneficial Bacteria to a Tank?

It depends on the product being used, but beneficial bacteria generally cannot overdose; always make sure to read the instructions on the back of the bottle first, though!

The amount of nitrifying bacteria in your tank is based on the amount of ammonia in your system. Populations will correct themselves as the levels fluctuate and stabilize as ammonia increases and decreases.

They will eventually find a natural balance in your system once your tank becomes more mature.

Some bacteria also use air (aerobic bacteria) for these processes; larger populations will mean more oxygen is needed in the water column.

However, it is very unlikely for an aquarium to have such large colonies of nitrifying bacteria where bacteria die-off causes ammonia spikes or there are other issues with balancing oxygen and carbon dioxide.

As long as you follow the directions on the bottle, you should have no problems!

Does Aquarium Gravel Have Beneficial Bacteria?

One of the most important functions of aquarium gravel is to provide a large area on which beneficial bacteria can grow, effectively turning the substrate into one huge biological filter.

Bacteria also live on other surfaces within the tank, including pieces of rock, wood, and plant leaves.

If you don’t use a substrate in your aquarium, you’ll find it easier to clean the tank since you can simply vacuum away waste directly from the tank bottom.

However, your fish won’t benefit from having as many beneficial bacteria to process the organic waste in their environment.

It’s thought that vacuuming aquarium gravel doesn’t remove the beneficial bacteria that are living on its surface.

So, you can safely clean your tank without worrying that you might be damaging the environment or removing those essential bacteria.

Why Use Water Conditioners and Bacteria Supplements Together?

Water conditioning products are formulated to remove chlorine and chloramine from tap water.

Water companies add these chemicals to your domestic water supply to make the water safe for you to drink and wash in.

However, chlorine and chloramine are both deadly to fish, invertebrates, and the beneficial bacteria that process organic waste to keep your aquarium safe for your livestock.

So, when setting up a new tank, it’s important to treat the water with a water conditioner to remove harmful chemicals. In addition, you need to add a bacteria supplement or starter to kickstart and boost bacterial levels in your filter media.

Other Methods

There are many methods for cycling a new aquarium, and each method is dependent on the specific setup. While some popular methods might work for some tanks, that particular way might not affect your own saltwater or freshwater aquarium!

Dosing Ammonia

With any new tank, ammonia must be fed into the system to allow nitrifying bacteria to establish and grow. Some hobbyists dose pure ammonia (NH₃) directly into the water column, which makes for a clean and calculable way to start the cycle.

Others use commercially frozen shrimp that is left to rot and leak out ammonia or turn to popular aquarium products instead.

Dosing ammonia directly is one of the simplest and cleanest methods, as shrimp can start to smell and become unsightly.

However, the benefit is that decaying organic matter also helps introduce other nutrients and feeds microorganisms that could help your tank in the beginning stages.

Aquarium products are more expensive and less straightforward than shrimp, as it can sometimes be difficult to determine the exact ingredients used and their effects.

Existing Filter Media

Some hobbyists are able to skip the initial new tank syndrome entirely if they have access to media from an already-established system. For example, filter media can easily be transferred from one tank to another and already holds healthy populations of live nitrifying bacteria.

For saltwater aquariums, live rock houses most of the beneficial bacteria needed to kickstart a new tank and can be transferred between tanks.

However, if the live rock has been kept out of water for extended amounts, there is a good chance that die-off will occur, and a mini-cycling process will restart.

Once ammonia has been introduced by one of these means, nitrifying bacteria need to establish their populations.

At this point, it is time to use the best aquarium bacteria product available for your tank.

For freshwater aquariums, aquatic plants may also be added to help uptake nutrients; however, this can result in a ‘silent’ cycling process, making it difficult to know whether or not the tank is fully cycled.

Once ammonia and nitrite levels are 0 ppm and there are detectable amounts of nitrate, it is best to do a large water change. After that, the cycling process should be done, and your tank should be ready for fish and invertebrates!

Fish-in cycle

As mentioned before, we do not recommend adding fish or invertebrates until the water cycle has been fully completed. Ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic and can quickly lead to dead livestock, prolonging the cycle even more.

However, it is possible to add aquarium plants and some corals as they actually help uptake nutrients and facilitate the water cycle; always make sure to do research about the aquarium plants or corals you plan on adding, as some may not be able to withstand extreme and/or variable water conditions.

What Kills Beneficial Bacteria in Aquariums?

As mentioned above, if you are using medication to treat health problems in your fish, the drugs used can harm certain species of bacteria in your fish tank. For that reason, you might consider treating your fish in a separate quarantine or hospital tank.

Chlorine and chloramine in tap water can also kill beneficial bacteria in aquariums. For that reason, you must remember to add a dechlorinator to the new tap water you add to your setup when carrying out partial water changes and setting up a new tank.

How Long After Adding a Bacteria Starter Can I Add Fish?

The question every hobbyist wants to know is how long you have to wait before you can add fish to your tank!

Well, that depends on various factors, including how long it takes for the bacteria colonies to become established enough to cope with processing the ammonia in your water and converting the ammonia to less harmful nitrites and then to nitrates.

Timescales

Generally, you must allow a few weeks and a couple of months for an aquarium to be fully cycled.

Throughout the cycling process, test your tank water every two or three days to monitor the aquarium water’s levels of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

Once the levels of ammonia and nitrites are zero and nitrate levels are below 20ppm, you can add a few fish. The trick is not to add too many fish at once. If you overload the new bacteria colonies with excessive amounts of fish waste, uneaten fish food, etc., you risk triggering an ammonia spike.

After you’ve added a few fish, continue testing the water every few days for at least a week.

If the ammonia levels suddenly increase, be ready to carry out partial water changes to keep the water safe for your fish. It’s also a good idea to add a bacteria supplement or starter to give the colonies a helping hand.

Conclusion

Some hobbyists believe aquarium bacteria supplements and fish tank stabilizer products are ineffective and not worth the time.

However, many hobbyists have found bacteria supplements to help their aquariums in one way or another, be it when setting up a new tank, performing water changes, or having recently medicated the aquarium water.

The best nitrifying bacteria supplement product will depend on tank size and desired results.

While many aquarium bacteria supplements may help jump-start a fish tank through its water cycle, we do not recommend adding fish until the system has completely cycled.

If you have questions about the best aquarium bacteria supplement to use, the water cycle, or the nitrogen cycle, or have had experience with bacteria supplements in your fish tank, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

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