Steelhead Specialty Minerals
Producer of natural zeolites for consumer and industrial use
1212 N. Washington Suite 132 Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 328-5685 (800) 367-1534 (509) 328-3706 Fax Email: info@steelheadspecialtyminerals.com
.

Back to Industrial Page

Aquaculture

Zeolites' high cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) allows them to be an excellent medium for the removal of toxic ammonia by way of an ion exchange as a physical/chemical filter, or for bacterial breakdown as a substrate in a biological filter. Plus, the affinity of some zeolites for nitrogen makes them capable of producing oxygen enriched air for water system aeration.

The ability of zeolites to chemically reduce ammonia is accomplished by the adsorption of ammonium on the natural zeolite thereby shifting the NH4 - NH3 equilibrium in the aqueous solution and reducing the potential for NH3 toxicity. When the optimum quantity of zeolites is used, the NH4 level is reduced at a rate highly dependent upon the rate of water movement.

The actual quantity of zeolites required depends upon water pH, water temperature and water volume. A variety of systems have been designed and engineered utilizing zeolites in the reduction of ammonia in fish rearing environments.

Variations of this basic use are available for home and commercial aquariums as well as fish transportation systems. In the trans-shipment of fish, zeolite allows the transport of more fish over a longer period of time.

As a substrate in biological filters, zeolites are remarkably effective as well. They provide a suitable habitat for the growth of the bacterial populations required in the breakdown of NH4 to NO3 and remain effective as chemical filters capable of modifying fluctuations in the system's NH4 levels. This property actually enhances the biological functions making NH4 available to bacteria at a more stable level, thus enabling this population to remain abundant during periods of low NH4 contamination. The bacterial population may then better respond to dramatic changes in concentration.

The removal of nitrogen by one species of zeolite provides a means of generating oxygen enriched air. Here the nitrogen is adsorbed on the zeolite which may then be regenerated through a pressure swing to allow the continuation of this cycle. As the oxygen content is concentrated sufficiently, it may then be introduced into the system. Such a process allows for the increase of dissolved oxygen and relative reduction of dissolved nitrogen normally present when applying standard aeration.

For a look at some of zeolite's other uses visit the following links.

202 Agriculture
203 Odor Control
204 Heat Storage and Solar Refrigeration
206 Gas Separation
207 Water Treatment