2HR Aquarist APT Balance
$29.99
Availability: 3 in stock at Online Warehouse.
APT Balance is a potent dry-powder beneficial bacteria product designed specifically for aquasoil aquariums. It speeds up nitrification, accelerates tank cycling and stabilisation, and provides an ongoing microbial boost for healthier plants and animals.
Most conventional liquid bacteria products work well only in a narrow set of conditions — requiring hard water and refrigeration. APT Balance features a superior blend of resilient bacteria cultures formulated to thrive in modern aquasoils, which lower pH and create acidic environments. It can be stored at room temperature.
The 2HR Aquarist was founded in Singapore by aquascaper Dennis Wong, who in 2015 started a YouTube channel sharing his techniques for growing aquatic plants and maintaining freshwater aquariums. Dennis Wong and his team approach aquascaping as a mixture of art and research, with product development grounded in scientific methodology and empirical testing.
Key Properties
| Property | Detail |
| Kickstarts Nitrification | Accelerates the breakdown of ammonia into nitrites and nitrates for faster cycling |
| Suitable for pH 5.5 to 9.5 | Resilient cultures designed to thrive in acidic aquasoil environments — unlike most liquid bacteria products |
| Accelerates Tank Cycling & Stabilisation | Reduces new tank cycling time and restores balance after maintenance events |
| 20 Billion CFUs per gram | Both sachets contain >20 billion colony-forming units per gram |
| Reduces Fish Stress | Faster establishment of a stable microbial environment means healthier conditions for livestock sooner |
| Restores Balance After Water Change | Replenishes beneficial bacteria lost during water changes, filter cleaning and tank resets |
Pack Contents
Each retail pack (25g total) contains 24 individual sachets — 12x Sachet A and 12x Sachet B.
At the recommended dose of 1x Sachet A + 1x Sachet B per 100L monthly, one pack provides 12 months of maintenance dosing for a 100L tank.
| Sachet | Contents | Function |
| Sachet A — Nitrifying Bacteria | Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrobacter sp., Nitrosococcus sp., Nitrospira sp. (AOB and NOB nitrifying bacteria). >20 Billion CFUs per gram. | Accelerates tank cycling. Breaks down ammonia into nitrites and into nitrates. |
| Sachet B — Waste Digesting Bacteria | Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, Bacillus subtilis, Alcaligenes, Actinomycetota, Polyphosphate-accumulating bacteria (PABs). >20 Billion CFUs per gram. | Decomposes plant detritus and animal waste into non-toxic CO2 and water. |
Dosing Instructions
Add 1 Sachet A and 1 Sachet B per approximately 100L / 26 US Gal of tank volume. For smaller tanks (e.g. 50L), use a proportionate amount. Adding more than recommended is safe, however excess bacteria may cause temporary surface slime or cloudy water.
| Use Case | Instructions |
| New Tank | Add 1x Sachet A + 1x Sachet B per 100L. For new tanks, consider a 2-week Dark Start. Alternatively, introduce plants immediately and perform large 90% water changes every 2–3 days, adding APT Balance each week. |
| Monthly Maintenance | Add 1x Sachet A + 1x Sachet B per 100L every month to maintain a healthy microbial balance. |
| After Maintenance Events | Add after filter cleaning, tank resets, adding new animals, or any event that disrupts the microbial colony. |
| After Water Changes | Add to restore beneficial bacteria lost during water changes. |
Important: Turn off UV steriliser for 24 hours following use. Safe to add directly into a tank with livestock present.
New Tank Stability Note
Even though APT Balance speeds up tank cycling, The 2HR Aquarist recommends waiting 1–2 weeks before introducing fish and animals. This allows time for the tank’s complex microbial community to establish itself more fully, beyond simple water parameters. Refer to 2hraquarist.com for the full New Tank Start Guide.
