Zeolite as a filter media in Sand filters?

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The TRUST

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Jan 19, 2005
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Anyone have any expeirence with this?

When I say sandfilter I mean one of these and not the Fluidize bed filters

AG-Starite-Sand-Filter-Sytem.jpg
 
Why would you use zeolite at all. It's more expensive than sand, it's chemical so it needs to be taken out and recharged every 3 months or so, the flow in the filter probably is to fast to make it work chemical as well and if you didn't planned to use it chemical at all, it probably hasn't got as much surface as sand (assumption). I have never heard of it anyway :)
 
Loubard;1692249; said:
Why would you use zeolite at all. It's more expensive than sand, it's chemical so it needs to be taken out and recharged every 3 months or so, the flow in the filter probably is to fast to make it work chemical as well and if you didn't planned to use it chemical at all, it probably hasn't got as much surface as sand (assumption). I have never heard of it anyway :)
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Very good questions.

We are not interested in the chemical absorption of Zeolite nor the biological colonization area although it will work to some degree. The Zeolite is to be used as a mechanical medium rather than sand which tends to clog up very fast with organic fish waste. Zeolite is lighter than sand and will fluidize to a much higher degree than sand and therefore, theoretically, less likely to channel or clog up. When the filter channels all the water passes through a small un-clogged open area as it moves down through the sand bed to the lateral screens at the bottom. The result is very little or no filtration. Although Zeolite is more expensive than sand it is reasonable when purchased in 1,000 pound quantities. Natural Zeolite wholesales for as little as $200 a ton or about $.10 a pound.
 
My only question (and it is in ignorance since I have never used the stuff) us that I have heard Zeolite starts having the opposite of the intended effect with it reaches the "saturation" point (so to speak). I think it would work splendid in the way you say, but would it have side effects?

Actually I have 2 questions. Where in the hell can I get zeolite for $200/ton? I may not like the stuff but I can never pass up a good deal! Or I could just sell it to my friends.
 
So you plan to use it on Anythingfish it's big tank? I think you can time sand filters for backwashing and it should have any problems with clogging. It's used on koi ponds all the time so it should be a problem with a prefilter on it to prevent the biggest solid waste from coming in, for example a sieve pond filter or a sediment (vortex style) tank.

Problem I see with zeolite is that it will clog up as well on the long term and then your further from where you want to be because it's harder to get bigger dirt out of there.
 
Perhaps there is something better than Zeolite? Aquatic Eco Systems, AES, www.aquaticeco.com has a product called "JF1" which is a replacement for sand, http://www.aquaticeco.com/search/0/jf1. Another of their products is "MM1" http://www.aquaticeco.com/search/0/mm1 both are replacements for sand in sand filters but apparently neither provides the clear water clarity of pure sand. Anyone out there with experience using either of these products or something else?

The sand filter is backwashed twice daily with 200 gallons of water each time which results in a clear sight glass on the waste line. During the first two weeks of operation the sand filter produced exquisitely clear water. Shortly thereafter the clarity of the water returned to its prior state. According to AES this is caused by channeling.
 
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