{"product_id":"uns-controbase-2l","title":"UNS Controbase 2L","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Reserve it online and collect it at the store.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA nutrient rich base layer that goes under your aquasoil, not on top of it.\u003c\/strong\u003e UNS Controbase is pumice stone infused with slow releasing nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and trace elements. It feeds heavy root feeders from below and helps regulate excess nutrients, while the large 6 to 8 mm granules keep water moving through the bed so beneficial bacteria have somewhere to live.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt arrives already portioned into mesh filter bags, so you are not shovelling loose pumice. \u003cstrong\u003eThe 2L contains four 0.5L mesh bags\u003c\/strong\u003e and UNS rates it for aquariums up to 20 gallons (75 L), their 60U size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-bagged in mesh filter bags, so it lifts out again cleanly and can be reused\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStack the bags to build slopes and terraces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 to 8 mm granules improve flow and oxygenation through the substrate bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlow release N, P, K and trace elements for heavy root feeders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUNS states the nutrients last approximately three months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eHow to Use It\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUNS's own sequence:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlace the bags into the aquarium \u003cstrong\u003eaway from the glass panels\u003c\/strong\u003e, so they stay hidden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStack the remaining bags where you want elevation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTop with a planted aquarium substrate. UNS recommends \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-controsoil-normal-black\"\u003eControsoil\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDo not wash it.\u003c\/strong\u003e It goes in as it comes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpread it evenly beneath your soil, sand or gravel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover it with at least 2 inches (5 cm)\u003c\/strong\u003e of soil, sand or gravel. UNS warns the water will go cloudy if Controbase is left uncovered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeave the mesh bags on. They are the point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:680px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eUltum Nature Systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eControbase, 2L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eFour 0.5L mesh bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComposition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003ePumice stone infused with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and trace elements\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGranule size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e6 to 8 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRated for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eAquariums up to 20 gallons (75 L), UNS 60U\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNutrient life\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eApproximately 3 months per UNS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eFreshwater planted aquariums only. UNS states it is not compatible with brackish or marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRinsing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eDo not wash\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003ePair It With\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-controsoil-normal-black\"\u003eUNS Controsoil\u003c\/a\u003e on top, which is what UNS recommends for heavily planted tanks with stem plants or heavy root feeders such as Echinodorus and Cryptocoryne\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater\u003c\/a\u003e and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive plants\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this replace my aquasoil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Controbase is a base layer that sits underneath. You still need a planted substrate on top, at least 2 inches of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I take it out of the mesh bags?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Leave them bagged. That is what lets you lift the base layer out later without tearing the whole scape apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many bags do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2L covers aquariums up to about 20 gallons. Larger tanks take more, and UNS also makes an 8L with sixteen mesh bags.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it in a saltwater or brackish tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. UNS states Controbase is not compatible with brackish or marine aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat happens after the nutrients run out?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUNS puts the nutrient life at roughly three months. The pumice itself keeps working as a porous, well oxygenated base and a home for bacteria after that, and you can switch to root tabs or a liquid fertilizer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ultum Nature Systems","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50839832330459,"sku":"UNSCB2L","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/Ultum-Nature-Systems-UNS-Controbase-Planted-Aquarium-Substrate-Supplement-Main-1..jpg?v=1792429179","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-controbase-2l","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}