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Model: ZCK2000Bar Code: 5060734912845
Availability:
9,998 units
Zeolite Powder
Is a high-quality natural zeolite (clinoptilolite), especially selected for its high purity, low quartz and heavy metal content, and the robustness of its granules, making it the ideal choice for all applications.
Zeolite formulated for freshwater aquarium use will readily absorb ammonia, making it a useful media when dealing with ammonia spikes or potential spikes.
Zeolites are a family of crystalline aluminosilicate minerals. In common with other zeolites has a three-dimensional cage-like structure consisting of SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra joined by shared oxygen atoms. The negative charges of the AlO4 units are balanced by the presence of exchangeable cations which can be readily displaced by other substances, particularly ammonium and metal ions. This is known as cation exchange, and it is the high cation exchange capacity (“CEC”) of Zeolite which provides many of its most useful properties.
The zeolite used in freshwater aquariums can be recharged by soaking it in a 5% salt solution, which causes it to release the ammonia it has absorbed. After soaking for 24 hours spread it on a cookie tray and allow it to dry in the sun for a day or two.
A faster alternative is to bake it in an oven for a half-hour to an hour at 350 F to dry it out. The advantage of sun drying is that the zeolite may be left in its original bag, which often is not safe to subject to high temperatures. Obviously given the amount of time the recharging process takes; many do not feel the effort is worth it for small quantities of zeolite.
As previously stated, zeolite must be removed once it is exhausted. If the ammonia is gone or nearly gone, it is not necessary to replace the zeolite in the filter. Instead, use standard media. If zeolite is recharged, it should be discarded after two to three months of use and replaced with new zeolite.