Step-By-Step Guide - Starting Your First Planted Aquarium - aquapros
This in depth guide to setting up a planted aquarium is focused on the first time fishkeeper ... How To Create Your First Freshwater Planted ...
active nutrient substrate.
While it is very possible to grow aquatic plants in plain sand or gravel, I think you are better off as a new fishkeeper spending a few more bucks and purchasing what's called an <anchor>active nutrient substrate.</anchor> This is a fancy term, but just means that it's a substrate that comes packed with nutrients perfect for your new plants. Plain gravel and sand is relatively inert and contains nothing that our plants need to grow. Rather than waiting several weeks or months for that material to accumulate nutrients from fish waste, why not hit the ground running and get a leg up. Add enough substrate to cover the bottom with roughly 1-3 inches and try sloping it from front to back.
UNS Controsoil Brown Aquarium Soil — Buce Plant
UNS Controsoil Brown Aquarium Soil — Buce Plant

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[Home](/) [Controsoil](/collections/controsoil "") UNS Controsoil Brown

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# UNS Controsoil Brown



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Original price$ 21.99
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Original price$ 64.99

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Normal / 1L - $ 21.99

Normal / 3L - $ 29.99

Normal / 10L - $ 64.99

Fine / 1L - $ 21.99

Fine / 3L - $ 29.99

Fine / 10L - $ 64.99

Extra Fine / 1L - $ 21.99

Extra Fine / 3L - $ 29.99

Extra Fine / 10L - $ 64.99


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Ultum Nature Systems Controsoil is an aquarium soil from Japan made of high-quality natural soil and volcanic ash. Choosing a proper substrate is vital for any successful planted aquarium. This is not only for aquarium plants to flourish but also to buffer the water to optimum levels for certain fish and shrimp.

Controsoil by UNS will keep the pH of alkaline water below 7 which is ideal for keeping Caridina shrimp and most tropical fish.

Controsoil is the perfect solution for those who want good plant growth without the headache of excessive ammonia. With other aquarium soils, it is common to experience algae spikes during the initial month or two of a new set up. This is commonly referred to as “new tank syndrome” and is characterized by brown or green algae on the glass, aquatic plants, and hardscape along with cloudy or smelly water.

This phenomenon is caused by high levels of ammonia (NH3) which many soil manufacturers add to their products. Although the ammonia helps to cycle the tank, too much can cause problems so it is necessary for users to do daily water changes during the first few weeks of use until the planted tank is established. However, many users have reported success with using Controsoil and adding shrimp or fish within 24 hours of a new set up, but we always recommend cycling the tank first and making sure ammonia and nitrites are at 0.

**How much soil do I need?**

Length x Width x Desired Substrate Height (in inches)

Divided by 60

= Liters of soil needed

**Specifications:**

**Medium****Granules** ~ 5mm

Good for larger tanks (20 gallons or above) with larger plants.

**Fine Granules** ~ 3mm

Perfect for smaller tanks (Less than 20 gallons), or to use as a topcoat to place on top of medium granules. Finer soil granules help small root plants, such as Hemianthus Callitrichoides, to anchor into the substrate easier. This also helps prevent pesky floating upon filling the tank.

**Extra Fine****Granules** ~ 1mm

Perfect for smaller tanks (Less than 20 gallons), or to use as a topcoat to place on top of medium and fine granules. Finer soil granules help small root plants, such as Hemianthus Callitrichoides, to anchor into the substrate easier. This also helps prevent pesky floating upon filling the tank.

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