ION Exchange Filters

Ion exchange uses a naturally occurring mineral (collectively known as 'Zeolites' - although more specific and brand names have developed over the years, such as 'clinoptilite'), which through a chemical process, removes ammonia from water.

Although zeolites also remove many other compounds from the water, the removal of ammonia is what makes them of interest to the aquaculture industry. The zeolite material gradually becomes used up as it removes the ammonia from the water, it can then be 'recharged' and used again.

There is no theoretical limit of the number of times it can be recharged and reused. The recharging process uses a solution such as Sodium Hydroxide. The cost and management implications of zeolite, means that it is rarely economical for on-growing systems, but does have a use in systems, where biofiltration is not an option (for example, where temperatures are low or water quality is likely to fluctuate).

As ion exchange filters are such a specialised device, they are all built to order. Zeolite material can however be purchased in 25kg bags and is a handy material to have on site in case of emergencies in small recirculation systems. For example, if chemicals were spilt and the biofilter affected, the zeolite can be used to 'mop up' excess ammonia whilst the biofilter recovers.

Order Number:
Zeolite (25kg Bag)		 Q - How much Zeolite will I need
A - The zeoclere-30 will remove approximately 20g of ammonia per kilo before it needs recharging. The average daily ammonia production by your fish, will be approximately 0.03 x amount of feed fed.

Zeolite

Zeolite or clinoptilite is used for the removal of ammonia from water where biological filtration is either not an option, or need supplementing.

As ion exchange filters are such a specialised device, they are all built to order. Zeolite material can however be purchased in 25 kg bags and is a handy material to have on site in case of emergencies in small recirculation systems. For example if chemicals were spilt and the biofilter affected, the Zeolite can be used to "mop up" excess ammonia whilst the biofilter recovers.

In normal recirculated aquaculture conditions, the Zeolite will remove approximately 20g of ammonia per kg before it needs recharging. The average daily ammonia production by your fish, will be approx. 0.03 x amount of feed fed.

The above flow figures are based on an output of 30,000 m W-sec/cm2 at the end of the lamp life (60% output), with an absorbance coefficient of 0.2. To attain flow figures for increased or decreased dose, increase/decrease the flow figures accordingly e.g. for 60,000 m W-sec/cm2 half the flows shown above.