Investigation of Ammonium Saturation and Desorption Conditions of Clinoptilolite Type Zeolite in Aquarium Conditions

Abstract

In this research, it was aimed to determine the adsorption, saturation reaching and desorption effects of ammonium, which is one of the parameters that should be kept in control for aquarium life, by clinoptilolite type zeolite which is a natural filtration material. In the aquarium water, Z1: 20 mg/l TAN and Z2: 40 mg/l TAN concentrations were determined to have adsorption up to Z1: 10 mg/l TAN and Z2: 24 mg/l TAN concentration at the end of the experiment period. After this phase, where zeolites had reached saturation, desorption system was created, and 2 groups were formed with 5-liter research aquariums and 3 repetitions. During the five-days test, water parameters were determined daily and at the same time of day (10.00). At the beginning of the experiment, mean values of 0.4 ± 0.00 mg / l TAN in Z1 and Z2 groups were determined at the end of the experiment as 1.55 ± 0.176 mg/l (15.5%) and 2.153 ± 0.27 mg/l (13.5%) TAN in Z1 and Z2 groups, respectively. When the data obtained in this study were evaluated, zeolite was determined to make desorption periodically in proportion with the amount of retained ammonium, when it reached the saturation. In intensive aquaculture systems or aquarium conditions, recondition of zeolite for necessary periods is recommended to be performed by considering these data.