{"product_id":"uns-controsoil-fine-black","title":"UNS Controsoil Fine Black","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\u003eFine grain Controsoil, the all-rounder of the three granule sizes.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\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\u003eNo rinsing required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow ammonia release\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH and kH buffering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuitable for tropical fish and shrimp tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade for freshwater planted aquariums\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;\"\u003eAbout the Fine Granule\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUNS makes Controsoil in three granule sizes. \u003cstrong\u003eFine is roughly 3 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e, sitting between Extra Fine (~1 mm) and Normal (~5 mm).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUNS 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-controsoil-normal-black\"\u003eNormal (~5 mm)\u003c\/a\u003e for thick-rooted plants like Echinodorus and for larger tanks.\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;\"\u003eChoose Your Size\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\u003e1L\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eUNS recommends it for a 20C cube. Good as a top off or for a nano scape\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\u003e3L\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eUNS recommends it for a 45U standard aquarium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe stock the Fine black in 1L and 3L. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-controsoil-normal-black\"\u003eNormal black\u003c\/a\u003e is also available in 10L.\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;\"\u003eHow to Use It\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not rinse it. Controsoil goes in dry, straight from the bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlope it deeper at the back for depth in the scape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill slowly onto a plate or bag so you do not dig craters in the bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLet 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\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;\"\u003eControsoil, Fine granule, black\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;\"\u003eApproximately 3 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\u003eComposition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNatural blend of soil and volcanic ash\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\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\u003eSizes stocked\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e1L and 3L\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;\"\u003eNot required\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\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eJapan\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 Normal Black\u003c\/a\u003e for thick-rooted plants or a larger tank\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\u003eFine or Normal, which do I want?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFine (~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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to rinse it first?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. UNS says no rinsing is required, and rinsing aquasoil tends to break the granules down.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it change my water chemistry?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it with shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, UNS lists it as suitable for tropical fish and shrimp tanks. Cycle the tank fully first.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef or brackish safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Controsoil is a freshwater planted substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ultum Nature Systems","offers":[{"title":"1L","offer_id":50839832199387,"sku":"CON0201","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3L","offer_id":50839832232155,"sku":"CON0203","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/CONTROSOIL-2020--black-normal_450f56ca-2137-4ef1-8704-a04d5fe15405.jpg?v=1792429178","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-controsoil-fine-black","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}