How Zeolite works

How Zeolite works?
Many reef aquarists all over the world use this natural mineral blend from Silica to reduce Phosphate and Nitrate in their reef tank. What is the biochemical mechanism behind this?
To be honest, if I can’t explain this phenomenon, I might as well not continue with this blog. Here goes:
The theory behind this is very simple. Every one can carry out tests in his own tank without any risk or any high expenses.
Most common is the idea that the reduction of Nitrate and Phosphate is linked to fact that the mineral zeolite in water absorbs these ions.
Many aquarists use exchange chromatography to purify their water. That exchange chromatography works because the absorbic media has an extremely high surface (million times higher compare to natural Zeolite) and the water is in contact with this media for a long time. The opposite is case in Zeolite filter where a high water circulation is used. If you analyse the Zeolite you will detect no evaluated levels of Nitrate and Phosphate. Some aquarists therefore postulated that it was more something like micro abrasion. But no living organism eats ”micro stones”.
It’s known for scientists for more than half a century that Zeolite is (in very very small amounts ) in sea water. These amounts are so small that they cannot being detected. The soluble zeolite is immediately absorbed by microorganism like Diatomeres. These diatomeres eat also the Nitrate and Phosphates in the reef tank. This results in these levels going down very fast.
The biological effect can be detected very fast (after some days) when the residue in the protein skimmer turns in a very dark liquid. Diatomeres are one the best kind of plankton to feed corals. Diatomeres built around 50% of marine plankton.
Zeolite is the only way I know to feed plankton and avoiding any side effects of dangerous bacterial growth in the reef tank.
If you prefer to add carbon to your tank you never know if you feed the good or bad bacteria.
The bad bacteria eats the tissue of stone corals starting at the bottom of the coral.
More than this usage of zeolite is a very inexpensive way to get quick good results. For a 400Liter tank you only need around 200g Zeolith placed in a cotton bag in an area with high water circulation.
I wish you good luck with your own trials.

Dr. A. Pilz