Fritz Turbo Start 700 Freshwater (16 oz)

picked up Fritz Turbo Start 700 Freshwater (1 oz) to help kick-start the cycling process in my new aquarium, and overall it’s been very effective and easy to use. Performance: Right away, this product lived up to its promise — within a few days of adding it to my tank, I started seeing good signs of beneficial bacteria activity. The ammonia and nitrite levels began to drop much faster than with traditional cycling methods, and I was able to move toward adding livestock sooner than expected. For freshwater systems, especially if you’re impatient like me or starting a setup quickly, this felt like a reliable jump-start. Ease of Use: Application was super straightforward. I just measured the recommended amount based on my tank size and added it directly to the water. No messy mixing or guesswork — just a quick dose and routine testing. It’s clear the instructions are designed to be accessible, even if you’re new to fishkeeping. Results: My test kits showed that the biological filter became active and more robust much faster than when I’ve cycled tanks manually. Once the beneficial bacteria got established, water parameters stayed stable with fewer wild swings, which gave me peace of mind before adding fish. A few things to note: As with all bacterial starters, you still need to monitor water parameters regularly — it helps confirm things are progressing rather than just assuming they are. While it does speed things up, it’s not magic — you still need patience and good maintenance practices (like testing water and doing water changes as needed). Overall: The Fritz Turbo Start 700 Freshwater does exactly what it sets out to do: it quickly establishes beneficial bacteria and helps accelerate the cycling process in a new tank. If you want a dependable, easy way to get your freshwater system biologically ready without a long wait, this product delivers consistent, noticeable results.

I don’t usually write product reviews, but Turbo Start absolutely earned this one. My cycle completely crashed after adopting axolotls from a local school classroom. As a new axolotl owner, I made a few mistakes and learned the nitrogen cycle the hard way. For nearly two months, I struggled to restore balance in the tank and was honestly on the verge of giving up and rehoming my axolotls because I couldn’t get the water safe for them. Enter Turbo Start. The product promises to establish a cycle in about 5 days under ideal conditions, but with axolotls in the tank, I couldn’t run ideal temps. I gently raised the water to 70–71°F—safe for my axolotls but still not perfect for bacterial growth. Following the seller’s guidance (they recommend 5–10x for established tanks), I dosed 8x. Over the next 14 days, I watched my ammonia drop to 0 and then nitrites follow to 0. After two months of frustration, it felt like a miracle. I also have to give a huge shoutout to Bay Bridge Aquarium. They sent incredibly detailed instructions—better than anything I found online—and even offered additional support if I needed it. That level of care is rare and very appreciated. Thanks to Turbo Start, my axolotls are happy and healthy, and I finally have a fully cycled tank again. If you’re desperate like I was, don’t hesitate—this product really works.

Product performs as described. A great product for all aquarium hobbyist.

Best stuff you can get to get your fish tank going very quickly

Works Great! I use this all the time to cycle my brand new tanks and I have never had a problem with it. It’s the next best thing you can get to used filter media.

Fritz expressly states that this product must be refrigerated but this arrived at my home without any cooling packs on a 90 degree day. Do not ignore this review! You will receive very expensive and very dead bacteria in a bottle.

Need to cycle within 1-2 days? Need some for a quick rescape? Tank crashed? This is the product for you - it's an ACTIVE bacteria product for aquariums. It gets the job done, fast. I used it to cycle a brand new 10G for a rescue GloBetta, she much preferred the brand new 10G than an uncycled bowl I brought her home from (I changed the water everyday when I brought her home while waiting for other supplies to come in). I rescaped my other 10G betta tank and used this in a pinch, it'll last for a few months (6 I think) and a small bottle will get you through a big tank (50?). if you have any tank bigger than that, get a bigger bottle. After using this product, all my water parameters were perfect! The product was sealed and didn't smell bad for me, and every one of my fish was healthy! If uncycled, your tank will have a bacteria bloom causing cloudy water, but if you wait long enough or add bacteria, you'll have clear water (given other needs are met).

Worked for 55gallon tank, just add the whole bottle.