Zeolite – Chabazite

ZEOLITE – Chabazite

Different grain sizes : 0.7-2mm / 2-5mm

Zeolites are microporous rocks of volcanic origin. They are composed of aluminosilicates which contact surface is very large. It gives them specific properties that have found various practical applications, in particular in agriculture.

• Common uses of zeolite :
  

In agriculture, zeolite is widely used for its great water retention capacity, as well as its great capacity to retain cations, micro-organisms and trace elements. It considerably increases the cations exchange capacity, in particular when it is incorporated in proportions of 10 to 15% into the substrate.

Zeolite is also widely used to grow bonzaïs and succulent plants. In such cases, it is used on its own as sole growth medium.

And last but not least, it is also widely used in aquariums as its micro-cavities offer an ideal harbour for beneficial aquatic algae proliferation. Zeolite also regulates the rates of nitrate in water.

Compared to other materials used to filter water (for pool water for example), zeolite offers major advantages. Indeed, sand has a filtration capacity of 40µ, whereas zeolite’s filtration capacity is 5µ. And it also filters heavy metals.

•  When and how to use zeolite ?
  

If you want to increase the cation exchange capacity, that is to say the “anti-washout” refuges for nutrients, add 10% of zeolite to your substrate. You can also use zeolite in your vegetable garden, by mixing 600g to 1kg of it per m² of soil.

If you grow bonzaïs, cactus and succulent plants, bear in mind that zeolite chabazite is an exceptionally fit substrate for these types of plants and can be used on its own as a growth medium.

•  Why zeolite chabazite ?

Zeolite Chabazite is one of the most popular types of zeolite used in agriculture, mostly for its great absorption capacity. Indeed, chabazite has one of the highest absorption capacities among the different sorts of zeolites. Same when it comes to its cation exchange capacity. The most important cations in zeolite chabazite are potassium, magnesium and calcium.

1) A higher absorption capacity :

 (Source : Livrets de l’ASEES 2004, Vol 9, n°1)

2) A high cation exchange capacity : 166meq/100g

Additional details on the product :

– Various grain sizes available : from 0.7 to 2mm

>> Zeolite can be mixed with our GD ZeroMix substrate.