How to Treat Sodium Zeolite

Sodium zeolite is used for chemical filtration in freshwater aquariums. Ammonia is produced by fish and other organisms as a byproduct of their metabolism. Zeolite is a solid chemical capable of absorbing toxic ammonia waste from the water column. It is used in many aquarium filters because it has an advantage over the cheaper and more common activated carbon. Zeolite can be recharged easily, unlike carbon. Recharging zeolite can save you money on filter media for your aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket
  • Salt (rock salt, kosher salt or aquarium salt)
  • Hydrometer
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Mix salt and water using the salt, the bucket and the hydrometer to get a mixture of 1.024 ppm. This is the specific density of salt water.

    • 2

      Remove the zeolite from the aquarium. Depending on the brand of filter, it could be in the form of an insert, a sleeve or a mesh bag.

    • 3

      Submerge the zeolite in the salt water. Allow it to sit for five minutes.

    • 4

      Rinse the zeolite thoroughly with fresh water.

    • 5

      Reinstall the zeoline in its respective filters. It now has about three-quarters of its capacity to absorb ammonia. Repeat in six weeks.