NT Labs Koi Care Zeolite 5kg with Filter Media Bag

NT Labs Koi Care Zeolite 5kg with Filter Media Bag

Rechargeable ammonia-removing media for a suitable pond filter

NT Labs Koi Care Zeolite is supplied as a 5kg pack of mineral filter media with a media bag included. It is used to remove ammonia from pond water and sits within the filter where water can flow through it. The manufacturer’s quantity guide is 5kg per 6,820 litres, or 1,500 imperial gallons. Follow the current pack directions and use your measured pond volume when selecting the amount.

This is the larger-chunk Koi Care product, rather than the finer Pond Booster granules. Check the product name and instructions when replacing a previous purchase. Different zeolite products can have different pack quantities, application methods and maintenance routines, so one product’s dose should not automatically be transferred to another.

Fitting the media

NT Labs directs users to put the zeolite in the supplied bag, rinse it under the tap and position it in a part of the filter with strong water flow. Keep the bag accessible for later maintenance. Check that it is supported and cannot obstruct an outlet, impeller or other moving component.

Measure the usable compartment before adding the pack. Leave room for the existing fittings and for removing the bag without damaging surrounding equipment. Follow the filter’s instructions when opening, isolating and reassembling it. After restarting, confirm that water is moving through the intended route and that the media has not restricted the normal circulation.

Test the water rather than relying on appearance

Zeolite has a finite capacity for ammonia removal. NT Labs recommends regular testing because the water may still look clear when its quality needs attention. Record readings before and after introducing the media, together with the quantity used and the date, so subsequent changes can be assessed against a useful starting point.

The manufacturer’s ammonia-test guidance also calls for checking pH, KH and nitrite when ammonia is detected. Use each test kit’s own sample quantity, reagent sequence and reading time. Different kits can report results in different forms, so retain the instructions and compare like-for-like readings rather than mixing scales from separate products.

Recharge and replace as directed

The prescribed routine is to recharge in spring and at six-week intervals, with earlier attention if water quality deteriorates. NT Labs also specifies replacing half the zeolite at each recharge. Recharging should therefore be planned alongside keeping enough replacement material available, rather than treating the original pack as a permanent addition that needs no further care.

For recharging, the manufacturer specifies a separate salt solution of four tablespoons per gallon of water and a 24-hour soak. Remove the media from the pond system for this process and follow the current packaging for its preparation and return to service. This is a media-maintenance procedure, not an instruction to add that salt quantity to the pond.

Keep the biological filter working

Ammonia-removing media and biological filtration perform different roles. NT Labs describes zeolite as useful when ammonia is already present, including during spring when the biological filter may not yet be matching the increased waste load. It should be considered alongside the condition and operation of the existing filter.

Review pump flow, accumulated waste, feeding and recent changes in fish numbers. Remove uneaten food and investigate why a reading has risen rather than repeatedly adding media without checking the underlying cause. Avoid unnecessarily replacing or thoroughly cleaning every established biological surface at once, as the filter relies on its existing microorganisms.

Related bacterial supplements and media

For bacterial support, see NT Labs Filter Bugs and NT Labs Pond Mature. These have their own formulations and application instructions. Choose according to the needs of the pond and the product directions, rather than assuming that a bacterial supplement and ammonia-removing mineral media are the same treatment.

Another pack format is SuperFish Zeolite Pond Filter Media 10 Litres. Compare its instructions and quantity separately. A weight in kilograms and a volume in litres are different measurements; do not substitute one for the other when calculating the amount of a particular product to use.

Check treatment compatibility

Before using pond medicines, check their directions concerning adsorbent filter media. NT Labs explains that materials such as carbon and zeolite can remove certain medicinal ingredients from the water, preventing the intended treatment from remaining available. Follow the medicine’s specific instructions about removal and reinstatement of filter materials.

If fish behaviour changes or water-test readings remain abnormal, seek advice promptly and continue checking the equipment. Keep the product packaging, recent readings and a record of anything added to the water available when asking for help. These details are more useful than judging pond health from water clarity alone.