Chemical Filtration

Tammy SpearKevin Landry

Types of chemical filtrationThere are different methods to

“chemically” treat or filter the water. Some of these ways include: ion exchange, adsorption, chemical bonding, and molecular destruction.

• Carbon and Zeolite• Ozone Generator• Ultraviolet sterilizer

Different media that you can use in the chemical filter

• Carbon• Zeolite• Peat moss• Calcium hydroxide• Poly adsorption pads• Other chemically treated media.

We will show Carbon and Zeolite for this presentation

Carbon

Carbon is generally activated with a positive charge and is designed to attract negatively charged water contaminants.

Typical particle sizes that can be removed by carbon filters range from 0.5 to 50 µm

• Carbon filters are most effective at removing chlorine, sediment, and volatile organic compounds They are not effective at removing minerals, salts, and dissolved inorganic compounds.

ZeoliteZeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals commonly used as adsorbents

Typical particle size that can be removed is aprox. 3 microns

• Zeolites can be used to adsorb ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds.

• Zeolite filtration is used in marine tanks to keep nutrient concentrations low for the benefit of corals adapted to nutrient-depleted waters.

Ozone GeneratorOzone (O3) is a triatomic molecule, consisting of three oxygen atoms. Ozone is a pale blue gas and slightly soluble in water .

• Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent far stronger than O2

• Its use can minimize bacterial growth, control parasites, eliminate transmission of some diseases, and reduce yellowing of the water.

• Many municipal drinking water systems kill bacteria with ozone instead of chlorine and Ozone does not remain in the water after treatment.

Ozone potential problems

• Ozone must not come in contact with fish's gill structures, or they will atrophy. (Carbon can be used to remove residual ozone)

• Due to the strong oxidizing properties of ozone it is a primary irritant. Affecting the eyes and respiratory systems it can be hazardous permanent lung injury or death could result from even a very short-term exposure to relatively low concentrations.

Foam Fractionization

The principle here is to pump water and tiny air bubbles into the column. This air/water contact time allows the toxins to bind to the unstable oxygen molecules and form a scummy foam. This foam contains many bad, (and sometimes good) elements from the aquarium water. They are primarily used in saltwater applications and good for toxin removal.

Or Protein skimming

Protein skimmers come in many sizes

Ultraviolet Sterilizers• Very effective filtration for

purifying the water and killing bacteria and parasites

• Water is passed through a tubular filter body which is exposed to ultraviolet light. This filter kills a variety of free floating fungi, bacteria, and protozoan.