The Most Effective Way to Jumpstart Your Aquaponics System

For a new aquaponic system, the goal of a bacteria additive is to establish nitrifying bacteria quickly and safely so ammonia → nitrite → nitrate cycling begins without stressing fish. You will find a full product list of what is recommended for adding nitrifying bacteria to your new aquaponics system or one that is being restarted after being shut down over the winter.

What you’re looking for (most important)

A good bacteria additive should:

• Contain live nitrifying bacteria (not dormant spores)
• Include both ammonia-oxidizing and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria
• Be aquaculture-safe (no perfumes, dyes, or pond clarifiers)
• Be stored refrigerated or clearly labeled as live culture

What to avoid 🚫

• Products that say “sludge remover” or “clarifier”
• Dry or spore-based bacteria claiming “activates when wet”
• Pond bacteria blends not labeled for fish + bio-filters
• Anything that alters pH or contains algaecides

Best-performing bacteria additives for aquaponics

🔹 FritzZyme® 7 or FritzZyme® TurboStart 700

Best overall (most commonly used in aquaponics)

• Live Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira
• Extremely fast cycling compared to dry products
• Widely used in commercial aquaponic and RAS systems
  Notes:
• Must be kept refrigerated
• TurboStart works faster; FritzZyme 7 is gentler and cheaper

🔹 Dr. Tim’s One & Only (Freshwater)

Best alternative

• Developed specifically for biofilter startup
• Very stable and fish-safe
• Excellent consistency
  Notes:
• Slightly slower than TurboStart, but very reliable

🔹 Tetra SafeStart Plus

Budget / easy-to-find option

• Works for small or hobby systems
• Readily available in pet stores
  Limitations:
• Lower bacterial density
• Slower cycling in larger systems