UNS Controsoil Fine Black

Fine grain Controsoil, the all-rounder of the three granule sizes. UNS Controsoil is a natural blend of soil and volcanic ash made for freshwater planted tanks. Unlike substrates loaded with nutrients, it deliberately keeps nutrient levels low so it will not spike ammonia at startup, and leans on impurity absorption and buffering instead. That makes it forgiving enough for a first aquascape and predictable enough for an established one.

Features

• No rinsing required
• Low ammonia release
• pH and kH buffering
• Suitable for tropical fish and shrimp tanks
• Made for freshwater planted aquariums

About the Fine Granule

UNS makes Controsoil in three granule sizes. Fine is roughly 3 mm, sitting between Extra Fine (~1 mm) and Normal (~5 mm).

UNS calls Fine the ideal choice for a variety of aquatic plant species with varying root sizes, and a solid all-around pick that accommodates many planted aquarium styles. If your scape mixes carpeting plants, stems and a few rooted species, Fine handles all of them without the compaction of a very small granule or the gaps of a large one. Prefer Normal (~5 mm) for thick-rooted plants like Echinodorus and for larger tanks.

Choose Your Size

We stock the Fine black in 1L and 3L. The Normal black is also available in 10L.

How to Use It

• Do not rinse it. Controsoil goes in dry, straight from the bag
• Slope it deeper at the back for depth in the scape
• Fill slowly onto a plate or bag so you do not dig craters in the bed
• Let the tank cycle and confirm ammonia and nitrite have both hit zero before you add livestock. UNS says this plainly, and it matters more than any other step

Specifications

Pair It With

• UNS Controsoil Normal Black for thick-rooted plants or a larger tank
• Browse all freshwater and our live plants

Frequently Asked Questions

Fine or Normal, which do I want?
Fine (~3 mm) is the all-rounder and suits mixed planting. Normal (~5 mm) is better for thick-rooted plants such as Echinodorus and for bigger tanks. Extra Fine (~1 mm) is for fine-rooted carpets like HC and for nano tanks.

Do I need to rinse it first?
No. UNS says no rinsing is required, and rinsing aquasoil tends to break the granules down.

Will it change my water chemistry?
It buffers pH and kH, which is what an aquasoil is meant to do. UNS notes that the color choice itself does not alter water chemistry, so black and brown behave the same.

Can I use it with shrimp?
Yes, UNS lists it as suitable for tropical fish and shrimp tanks. Cycle the tank fully first.

Is it reef or brackish safe?
No. Controsoil is a freshwater planted substrate.