Ultum Nature Systems Controsoil - Freshwater Aqua Soil Substrate for Fish, Shrimp, Live Plant Propagation and Aquascaping - 6.8pH Low Ammonia, Volcanic Ash - Black, Extra Fine (1 Liter | 2LB)

Great product! My plant looks so healthy, seems like I gave my plant a strong boost of vitamins. And, amazingly growing so fast. Love this product and would definitely buy again.

This is great substrate for planted aquariums. I love that it is low ammonia because beneficial bacteria don’t need a lot to ramp up. I combine this with the APT S Starter Bacteria underneath and it cycles the tank in two to three weeks without fail. The small ammonia release from this substrate is perfect for the bacteria and results in zero ammonia and zero nitrite with low nitrate in a very short period of time. This isn’t nutrient rich like Amazonia but you can crush up root tabs and sprinkle them on top of the APT S before you pour in the Contrasoil for a boost. I usually do this and dark start the aquarium per the APT S instructions and the results are great. Low algae and great plant growth.Because this is partially made from volcanic ash it really soaks up things and keeps your tank clean as well. It’s strange but it does absorb a lot of impurities like advertised. This soil with Purigen makes a crystal clear aquarium. It’s definitely best for clarity.All in all, a great product. Thanks UNS!

I've ordered some Sakura (Cherry Red) shrimp. While I wait for them to arrive, I'm preparing my aquarium. The aquarium has been established for 20 years, and the water parameters are excellent, but the pH is 8, which is at the top end of what Sakura shrimp like.I read that UNS Controsoil reduces tank pH, and I also wanted to cover my gravel substrate with something smoother for my two goldfish's sake. (Not that my goldfiah ever seemed to mind the gravel, but I've read that a smoother substrate is better..) By the way, one goldfish is 20 and the other is about 10 years old, so they are well cared for.) For these reasons--the incoming shrimp and the goldfish, I bought a 3L bag of Controsoil.I've attached a photo of my tank immediately after I added the Controsoil. The water is a bit cloudy, but it cleared within a few hours. (I have a Fluval 305 on a 55-gallon aquarium, so the tank is over filtered, which is perfect because of the goldfish.)Pardon the messiness; the bag I bought wasn't enough to cover everything deeply, and I got some Controsoil on my anubias (in the rock on the left). When I incautiously lifted the anubias' rock to pour off the Controsoil, I discovered that my anubias had gorgeous, healthy, long roots that I had just pulled out of the substrate. I only planted the anubias a bit over a month ago, so I didn't expect roots that long! When I gently replaced the rock, I scooped gravel and Controsoil over the roots, and that made a mess in that area. I've ordered another bag to more completely cover the gravel.The one thing I'm going to keep my eye on is ammonia. I've read that all active substrates like Controsoil produce some ammonia for a few weeks to a month or more after being added to an aquarium. Mileage varies; some people report they didn't have any extra ammonia in their tank after adding the Controsoil, others, in older reports, say ammonia spiked high.Before I added the Controsoil, my aquarium's ammonia tested at 0 (using my API test kit). Because ammonia is toxic to fish and shrimp, I'll test the water every day for a week, then every few days, to make sure the ammonia doesn't spike. I have fresh zeolite in my filter, and the plants in the tank will also help.Cute note: My golfdfish seem to like the Controsoil addition. They starting checking it out before I finished adding it.

This substrate is really great. It was easy to incorporate, did not interfere with my tank’s cycle, required no rinsing, and is keeping my Amazon swords tall and healthy. I just got another bag for my nerite snails and will purchase again.

Great aquasoil, I havnt been able to find another aquasoil that’s offered in color brown locally. Compared to Fluval Stratum I actually found that it does not leach as much ammonia during the first week as expected. A bit too pricy though.

This bag was my first ever to use. I wish I had known about it sooner !!!!!! Easy to use, I planted aquatic plant seeds in it, It’s been a week and they have sprouted well and the roots are thriving in the substrate, No washing before use. Tiny tiny bit of cloudiness when I added water, Cleared very fast !

Best sub for growing live plants hands down.

I was hoping these would be bigger in size but there is a decent mix of size in there. I just would prefer them to be larger in size. Nice replacement for Fluval Stratum.