{"product_id":"uns-controsoil-normal-brown","title":"UNS Controsoil Normal Brown","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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUNS Controsoil\u003c\/strong\u003e is the aquasoil a lot of aquascapers reach for when they want a planted tank to settle down fast. It is a blend of natural soil and volcanic ash made in Mt. Aso, Japan, and it does the two jobs a good soil should: it feeds roots and it pulls the water toward soft and slightly acidic. Unlike richer soils it is not loaded with nutrients, so it releases very little ammonia and spends its energy absorbing impurities instead. This listing is the \u003cstrong\u003ebrown\u003c\/strong\u003e soil in the \u003cstrong\u003eNormal\u003c\/strong\u003e granule, sold by the bag. Plant it up with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive plants\u003c\/a\u003e and finish the scape with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-spider-wood-on-slate\"\u003eUNS Spider Wood on Slate\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo rinsing required.\u003c\/strong\u003e It goes into the tank straight out of the bag.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow ammonia release.\u003c\/strong\u003e UNS says Controsoil releases only minimal ammonia, enough to help jump start a tank rather than stall it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuffers the water.\u003c\/strong\u003e It pulls pH slightly acidic and lowers total hardness. UNS says it stabilizes to about 6.8 pH over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeeps the water clear.\u003c\/strong\u003e UNS says it inhibits cloudy water by actively absorbing impurities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeds the biology.\u003c\/strong\u003e UNS says the soil promotes and accelerates beneficial bacteria growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for roots.\u003c\/strong\u003e The granule composition and size give roots the oxygen exchange they want.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShrimp safe.\u003c\/strong\u003e UNS lists it as suitable for all freshwater inhabitants, tropical fish and shrimp included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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\n\u003cp\u003eThese are the tank sizes UNS prints on the bag for a full substrate bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:680px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;text-align:left;\"\u003eBag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;text-align:left;\"\u003eTank size recommendation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;text-align:left;\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 L\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e2 gallons \/ 8 L (UNS 20C tank)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eAbout 2 lb\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\u003e3 L\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e9 gallons \/ 34 L (UNS 45U tank)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eAbout 6 lb\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\u003e10 L\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e20 gallons \/ 75 L (UNS 60U tank)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e20 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant a deeper bed, a slope, or a bigger tank than the chart covers? Bring us your tank dimensions and we will work out how many bags you need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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 Normal Granule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eControsoil comes in three granule sizes. This is \u003cstrong\u003eNormal\u003c\/strong\u003e, about 5 mm, the largest of the three. UNS recommends it for thick-rooted plants such as Echinodorus and for larger aquariums. \u003cstrong\u003eFine\u003c\/strong\u003e (about 3 mm) is the all-rounder for mixed root sizes, and \u003cstrong\u003eExtra Fine\u003c\/strong\u003e (about 1 mm) suits carpeting plants with fine roots, nano tanks and top-offs. We also stock this soil in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-controsoil-normal-black\"\u003eblack\u003c\/a\u003e, and we can order the finer granules in either color, just ask.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePour it into the dry, empty aquarium. No rinsing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMist or lightly moisten the soil while you plant, which makes planting far easier.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill the tank slowly and carefully, pouring onto a plate or a bag so you do not blow the bed apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCycle the tank. UNS asks you to confirm ammonia and nitrites are gone before livestock goes in, and recommends weekly water changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn UNS's own six month test, the tank ran on weekly 40 percent water changes with normal tap water and no extra nutrients added.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:680px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\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\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eFreshwater aquarium substrate, aquasoil\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 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\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eMade in Mt. Aso, Japan\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\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eBrown\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\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNormal, about 5 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\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eBuffers slightly acidic, about 6.8 over time 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\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eLowers total hardness\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\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eFreshwater only. UNS states it is not compatible with brackish or marine setups\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\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\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\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eLive aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e, the reason to use a soil in the first place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-spider-wood-on-slate\"\u003eUNS Spider Wood on Slate\u003c\/a\u003e for hardscape that sinks on day one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e for filling and for the weekly water changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003eShrimp and snails\u003c\/a\u003e, which do well in the softer, slightly acidic water this soil creates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I have to rinse it first?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. UNS says no rinsing is required. Pour it in dry and start planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat will it do to my pH?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt buffers the water slightly acidic and lowers total hardness, and UNS says it settles around 6.8 pH over time. That suits most tropical community fish, shrimp and planted tanks. It is the wrong substrate if you keep African cichlids or anything that wants hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I add fish right away?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUNS notes that many keepers add livestock within the first 24 hours because the soil releases so little ammonia, but it also tells you to confirm ammonia and nitrites are gone first. We would cycle the tank and test before anything goes in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it work in a brackish or saltwater tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. UNS prints it on the bag: Controsoil is not compatible with brackish or marine setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many bags do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStart with the chart above, which is UNS's own guide for a normal bed in each tank size. A deeper bed or a sloped scape needs more, so bring us your tank dimensions and the depth you want and we will work it out.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ultum Nature Systems","offers":[{"title":"1L","offer_id":50516959461595,"sku":"CON0401","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3L","offer_id":50516959494363,"sku":"CON0403","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10L","offer_id":50516959527131,"sku":"CON0410","price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/CONTROSOIL-2020-brown-normal_cab383e8-0b85-4536-9f33-96ccf5ad3dfa.jpg?v=1790335189","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/uns-controsoil-normal-brown","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}