Editing Zeolite (section)

=== Aquaria ===

Pet stores market zeolites for use as filter additives in [[aquarium|aquaria]],<ref name="Virta-2011" /> where they can be used to adsorb [[ammonia]] and other nitrogenous compounds. Due to the high affinity of some zeolites for calcium, they may be less effective in hard water and may deplete calcium. Zeolite filtration is also used in some marine aquaria to keep nutrient concentrations low for the benefit of corals adapted to nutrient-depleted waters.

Where and how the zeolite was formed is an important consideration for aquarium applications. Most Northern hemisphere, natural zeolites were formed when molten lava came into contact with sea water, thereby "loading" the zeolite with Na (sodium) sacrificial ions. The mechanism is well known to chemists as [[ion exchange]]. These sodium ions can be replaced by other ions in solution, thus the take-up of nitrogen in ammonia, with the release of the sodium. A deposit near [[Bear River (Great Salt Lake)|Bear River]] in southern [[Idaho]] is a fresh water variety (Na < 0.05%).<ref>{{cite journal|display-authors=3|vauthors=Hongting Z, Vance GF, Ganjegunte GK, Urynowicz MA|date=2008|title=Use of zeolites for treating natural gas co-produced waters in Wyoming, USA|journal=Desalination|volume=228|issue=1–3|pages=263–276|doi=10.1016/j.desal.2007.08.014|bibcode=2008Desal.228..263Z }}</ref> Southern hemisphere zeolites are typically formed in freshwater and have a high calcium content.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wang|first1=Shaobin|last2=Peng|first2=Yuelian|url=http://ida-ore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Wang_Natural-zealots-as-effective-absorbents.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221010/http://ida-ore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Wang_Natural-zealots-as-effective-absorbents.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-10 |url-status=live|title=Natural zeolites as effective adsorbents in water & wastewater treatment|date=2009-10-09|journal=Chemical Engineering Journal|volume=156|issue=1|pages=11–24|doi=10.1016/j.cej.2009.10.029|access-date=2019-07-13}}</ref>