Encourages strong plant growth - roots easily penetrate and spread throughout substrate to obtain key nutrients Porous structure allows for rapid colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria Helps support neutral to slightly acidic pH - ideal for most plants, tropical fish and shrimp normally kept in planted aquariums Provides newborn shrimp with a refuge from predators until they are large enough to emerge Will not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration when natural driftwood is present