In this study, the possibilities of using Manisa-Gördes district tuffs having important deposits rich of clinoptilolites have been investigated for the removal of heavy metal ions from industrial wastewaters. Adsorption of ammonium and metal cations such as Pb⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, Cd⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺ ions from aqueous solution onto sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acid activated samples were studied. Experimental data were obtained from batch equilibrium tests on samples activated at different acid concentrations at two different size fractions. It has been found that selectivity of the zeolite is sequentially Pb⁺⁺ > NH4⁺ > Cu⁺⁺, Cd⁺⁺ > Zn⁺⁺. Experimental results show that the NH4+ ion exchange capacity of 95 meq/100 g for the raw material can be increased to 140 meq/100 g after activation with sulphuric acid. In general, acid activation was observed to increase the ion exchange capacity, sulphuric acid responding better than hydrochloric and nitric acids.