Brightwell AquaticsXport BIO Plate - Ultra-porous Biological Plate Media with Superior Performance in Filtration Media, 1 Piece

Ok, so this block contains an absolutely absurd amount of surface area for its physical dimensions. If specs are correct [Brightwell = let's ssume it is] it should perform even better at growing bacteria than the cellulose dishwasing sponge you refuse to throw out after a month because "it kinda smells OKish(?)". I haven't used it yet because I literally received it today but here are some photos that you may find useful in decision making. The pink will probably fade to a tan-brown flavor in a few days as it colonizes.The packaging clearly warns you about certain things that will render your investment as useless as a poopy flavored lollypop. Just read it in its entirety (it's like a page of 12pt Times New Roman total).This product will increase both pH and carbonate hardness due to its aragonite content. Know it.Also, if this was cracked upon arrival, I'd just superglue it back together or use as-is; however, if it was smashed with more than 1/6 powderized, I'd return it.I'm a scientist and a sucker for marine aquariums; this stuff is the real deal. It's fragile for a good reason, Aerogel is also super fragile; both likely have porosity values many magnitudes higher than anything you've touched in your entire life. High prosity and high fragility are interrelated in these examples (and have you priced aerogel recently?!? This stuff's a real bargain compared to Aerogel!)Don't try to use this with Blackwater biotopes, other low-pH aquatic environments, or any aquarium system in which you're trying to keep carbonate hardness down. It's basically expanded aragonite (coral skeletons / calcium carbonate). Its your fault if "it suddenly kills" your super expensive, breeding pair of Altum Angelfish...Use in marine, african cichlid, and other applications with 7.5+ pH values. Do not force water through these. 10 gal / 40 liters per hour flow is recommended. Just stick it in your sump somewhere with lower flow. Don't put under falling water unless you want it to turn into a fine sand.If you don't have a sump, I don't recommend this product unless you plan to buy these regularly. Flow is generally too high in almost every other common filtration type but you may have success if you can dial-in an extra HOB or tiny canister filter. Just don't put it in your primary HOB, canister, or other filters with high flow.Good luck!

just as described, came unbroken and well packaged