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There are over 200 types of zeolite. Forty-eight occur naturally and the rest are man-made. They have a curious micro porous structure known as a “molecular sieve” In simple terms they can be thought of as being full of countless tiny holes, the size of molecules, that can hold a whole range of different molecules, but only one at a time.
Sodium (Na+) is one molecule that can be “parked” in these holes and ammonia (NH3+) is another. Zeolite, for pond use, has these holes full of sodium molecules. If it is placed into water containing ammonia, the zeolite will release sodium molecules from their parking bays and absorb* ammonia in their place. This means that ammonia is removed from the water and replaced with sodium, which is harmless for fishes. When all its sodium has been released into the water, the zeolite cannot absorb* any more ammonia.
Zeolite can be recharged by placing it into a strong salt solution for a few hours. The strength of the solution is not important as long as it is fairly strong. Soaking overnight in a solution of 20 grams of salt per litre is a typical method used to recharge it. When zeolite is placed in such a solution, the high concentration of sodium ions force their way into it and in doing so the ammonia is forced back out and the zeolite will again be full of sodium. After rinsing in fresh water to wash away any excess salt water and the ammonia that the water will now contain, the zeolite is ready for re-use. Dose of application of zeolite is 100-200 kg /acre.
Use of zeolite should not be a normal and permanent method for removing ammonia from pond water. It will remove ammonia initially ; but for permanent solution have to follow any of the following methods -
**Do a partial water change..
**Scoop out any useless organic matter from the pond.
**Reduce frequency and quantity of food given.
**Apply probiotics bacteria.
**Lower your pond water pH level.
**Try to increase aeration of the water.
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