black LR

[scooter blenny]

I recently brought some LR. I broke them to pieces for my new landscape. I thought LR is white in color on the inside. But i came across this one that is actually black. compariable to charcoal and it stinks.

Is this LR dead? can it b used??

pls advise

[Achilles Tang]

It's hydrogen sulfide you're smelling... remember that dense LR is good for denitrification ie. reducing nitrates naturally?

Well... now that you broke it... I guess there goes the anaerobic areas now. You can wash off the stinky areas and reuse the LR.