Addition of QAC (≤0.01 M) in anolyte reduced the start-up time by up to 29%.
QAC (≤0.01 M) in anolyte increased Coulombic efficiency by up to 95%.
High concentration of QAC (0.05 M) inhibited start-up of BES.
Peak current was increased by 23% when 0.01 M QAC was initially added.
QAC added during start-up imposed a selective pressure on microbial community.