UNS Controsoil is a Japanese-made blend of natural soil and volcanic ash that settles aquarium water at a slightly acidic pH of about 6.8, without rinsing and with low ammonia release. Controbase sits underneath it as a porous, slow-release nutrient layer for root-feeding plants.
Premium Japanese active substrate: naturally softens water, settles pH at about 6.8, and fuels vigorous root development without cloudy water.
View details: UNS Controsoil Black Planted Aquarium SubstrateA porous pumice base layer infused with slow-release nutrients and trace elements to prevent substrate compaction and stimulate deep root systems.
View details: UNS Controbase Long-Term Substrate BoosterNo. UNS Controsoil needs no rinsing: it is ready to use straight out of the bag and is formulated to absorb impurities and keep the water clear from the first fill. Rinsing is unnecessary and can break the soft granules down.
No. Controsoil is a low ammonia release substrate: it gives off a minimal amount at the start, enough to begin cycling the tank. UNS still recommends weekly water changes during cycling, because ammonia can spike if no water is changed.
UNS recommends one 3 litre bag for a tank of about 35 litres, such as the UNS 45U, and one 10 litre bag for a tank of about 75 litres, such as the UNS 60U. For other sizes, multiply length × width × the depth you want in centimetres and divide by 1000.
UNS Controbase is a porous pumice base layer, in 6–8 mm granules, infused with slow-release nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and trace elements. It sits under Controsoil to feed heavy root-feeding plants and keep water and oxygen moving through the substrate.
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