Aquarium Zeolite

Aquarium zeolite is an absorbent mineral that can be added to the filtration media of a tank to help trap ammonia and other contaminants. It can be used in conjunction with other filtration techniques to create a comprehensive filtration system in the home aquarium, helping to keep water clean and healthy for shrimp and their environment.

Activated natural zeolite is composed of a web of microscopic pores, which can trap and retain impurities in the aquarium water. It can extract toxins such as ammonia from the water by cation exchange, effectively eliminating them and allowing the beneficial bacteria in an aquarium to grow and thrive. It can also remove harmful particles from the aquarium water such as heavy metals and other contaminates, maintaining the delicate balance between the chemical and biological processes that occur in the aquarium water.

It can be purchased in a bag ready to add to the aquarium filter, or in loose bulk form that can be measured out into a filter media bag in a power or canister filter, or placed in between the foam or mechanical and biological media in a planted or reef tank. It is available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1-5mm, to fit all types of filter systems.

There are many different zeolite products on the market, each with their own unique properties and features, but all are designed to provide a similar service in an aquarium. Generally, they are used to capture ammonia and other contaminants, which can then be dissolved by the beneficial bacteria in the tank to eliminate them from the aquarium water. This type of zeolite is often used in conjunction with other filtration techniques, such as activated carbon and biofilters, to achieve the best results.

When zeolite is used in an aquarium, it is important to follow the instructions on the package to ensure the proper dosage of the product. The amount of zeolite to use will depend on the volume of the aquarium. To calculate the amount of zeolite needed, an accurate ammonia test kit is required. The ammonia reading should be taken in ppm, and the amount of zeolite needed is calculated by multiplying that number by the number of litres in the aquarium.

It is important to note that zeolite does not necessarily remove ammonia from the water, but instead allows the beneficial bacteria to convert it into nitrate and phosphate. This is not the same as removing ammonia from the water, and in fact, can cause a potentially dangerous ammonia spike when using too much of the product. It is recommended to only use a zeolite product on a short-term basis in a newly set up aquarium, and even then only when it is necessary to avoid a dangerous ammonia level increase.

When it is used correctly, however, a zeolite reactor can be a powerful tool for the reef aquarist to reduce nitrate and phosphate in the aquarium. If not used properly, it can strip these compounds from the aquarium too quickly and shock corals to the point of tissue narcosis, or even death.