UNS Substrate System - Soil, Sand & Base (Brown)

UNS Substrate System - ControSoil, ControSand & ControBase (Brown) - Glass Aqua

UNS Substrate System - Soil, Sand & Base (Brown)

$137.99 ~~$144.97~~

Usually ships in 1-2 business days from our fulfillment center

The UNS Substrate System combines planted aquarium substrates designed to create a reliable aquascape foundation and support healthy aquatic plant growth. This bundled system pairs UNS Controsoil, UNS Controsand, and UNS Controbase together in one streamlined setup for planted aquariums.

The rich brown tone of Controsoil creates a softer, more earthy appearance compared to traditional black aquasoils and pairs especially well with warm-toned hardscape and nature-style layouts. Choose between select UNS Controsand options to customize the final look of your aquarium while maintaining a clean, functional substrate system beneath the surface.

Configure Your System

Choose Your Sand
Select from Mojave or Pacifica to complement the look of your aquascape. Mojave offers a warmer, natural sand tone, while Pacifica creates bold contrast against vibrant aquatic plants.

Choose Your Soil Granule Size
- Extra Fine: Ideal for carpeting plants, nano tanks and detailed layouts
- Fine: All-purpose and balanced for most planted aquariums
- Normal: Larger granules are best for large tanks and plants such as Echinodorus or Vallisneria

How It Works
A complete layered blend! This substrate system is designed to be used in three layers:

1. Controbase (Bottom Layer)
Provides essential nutrients to support root development and long-term plant health and consistent growth.
2. Controsoil (Middle Layer)
Buffers water parameters while supplying an ideal base for aquatic plants to absorb nutrients and establish groups.
3. Controsand (Top Layer / Decorative)
Adds texture and contrast to the layout. Separates planted and open areas within the aquascape.

What’s Included
- 1x 10L UNS Controsoil Brown (granule size varies by selection)
- 1x 8L UNS Controsand (type varies by selection)
- 1x 2L UNS Controbase

This system simplifies substrate selection by combining compatible materials into a single, proven setup. It supports healthy plant growth while giving you flexibility to customize the aesthetic of your final layout.

Best For
- Planted aquariums with defined foreground and background zones
- Aquascapes that combine sand paths with planted areas
- Hobbyists looking for a balanced and reliable substrate foundation for planted aquariums

Important Information: We recommend rinsing Controsand before use. Do not rinse Controsoil or Controbase! This substrate system is designed for freshwater planted aquariums.

UNS Substrate System - Soil, Sand & Base (Brown) $137.99

Tank length

Tank depth (front to back)

0 L Estimated substrate needed

Enter your tank dimensions Recommended bag quantity

Estimated recommendation based on Glass Aqua substrate coverage standards at 1 - 2". When in doubt, round up. Sloped layouts, deep planting areas and elevated hardscape may require additional substrate.

Aquarium Substrate Comparison Guide

Sand, gravel, and aquarium plant soil can all be used to grow aquatic plants. But are they the same? The short answer is no. Here’s our take on each substrate type.

Ultum Nature Systems 45U Standard Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank

Ultum Nature Systems Standard Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank

Before

After

3 different freshwater aquarium substrates used in a 9 gallon nature-style aquascape

Natural Cosmetic Sand

Aquarium sands are suggested for cosmetic purposes only and are usually paired with aqua soil when creating a nature-style aquarium. In some cases, hobbyists might choose natural sand as a main substrate and add nutrients back in via aquatic plant root tabs. This is enough to feed some low-tech aquarium plants. However, it isn’t sustainable long term since they dissolve and deplete quicker than plant soil. If you want a full sand look, try adding a base layer of soil first then topping it with your preferred sand. This way, you don’t miss out on the added benefits of aquarium soil and your aquatic plants get the nutrients they need. Overall, natural sand is an aquascaping staple. It’s available in many colors and also provides enrichment for bottom-dwellers who enjoy sifting through!

Optional hot tip: Use a sand flattener or brush to create a 0.5-1” gap between your soil layer and the tank panels. Then, pour your sand on top for extra clean edges. No soil peeking through here!

Ultum nature systems UNS Controsand Bora aquarium sand

Ultum Nature Systems Controsand Bora is a bright natural fine sand that works well with all freshwater aquariums

Ultum nature systems UNS 5N Nano Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Betta Fish Aquascape

Sand is great for minimalistic aquascapes that do not require plants to be rooted into soil

Ultum nature systems UNS 20C Cube Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Iwagumi Betta Fish Aquascape

It can also provide great contrast to bolder aquarium hardscape layouts

Lighter sands add brightness to aquariums

Ultum nature systems UNS 20C Cube Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Shimp Iwagumi Aquascape

It is also great for sand sifting aquarium livestock such as Neocaridina Shrimp

Corydoras fish sifting through planted aquarium sand

Aquarium fish like Corydoras naturally love sifting sand

Aquarium Gravel

Like sand, gravel is another aquascaper’s choice. We’ve heard them used interchangeably, but they’re not the same! Gravel is a chunkier medium and can be used independently or as detail accents on top of a fine-grain sand base. Depending on your tank size, gravel may be a better option as it covers more surface area as well. Personally, we really enjoy using gravel as an accent in our aquascapes as sometimes sand alone can look too plain. A sprinkle of gravel here and there really adds that extra bit of fine detail that can elevate the entire look of a nature-inspired aquascape. Here are some of our previous tanks with gravel being used as an accent vs. a gravel-only planted tank.

Ultum nature systems UNS Controsand Santa Fe natural gravel

Ultum Nature Systems Controsand Santa Fe features a mix of dark and light natural hues that are perfect for river-type aquascapes

Ultum nature systems UNS 25C Cube Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Dutch Wabi Kusa Aquascape

Gravel used purely for cosmetic purposes in a cube aquarium

Ultum nature systems UNS 45E Rimless Glass Paludarium Tank

It can also be used in paludarium aquascapes as well

Gravel like sand, can come in various earthy hues

Ultum nature systems UNS 75S Shallow Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Paludarium Aquascape

It can also be used in much large aquariums where sand would not make the same visual impact

Ultum nature systems UNS 16C Cube Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank

Gravel is widely used as a decorative substrate in wabi kusa style aquariums

Ultum nature systems UNS Controsand Bora and Monterey aquarium sand and gravel

A mix and match of Ultum Nature Systems Controsand Bora (sand) and Monterey (gravel)

Hakkai Stone Planted Aquarium Tank Aquascape

A combination of sand and gravel accents in a planted aquarium

Ultum nature systems UNS 5N Nano Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank

Mix and match sand and gravel accents for a unique look

Ultum nature systems UNS 45U Standard Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank

Matching Controsand Vesuvius crushed lava rock with lava rock hardscape

Ultum nature systems UNS 60S Shallow Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank

We match the accent gravel with hardscape often to create a uniform look

Aquatic Plant Soil

The term aqua soil generally encompasses any substrate that contains nutrients and is designed specifically for tropical freshwater aquarium use. These aquarium plant soils usually contain micro and macronutrients or may offer features like dormant beneficial bacteria and water buffering capabilities. This is why rinsing prior to use isn’t recommended! Doing this washes away some of the good stuff that plants love. Popular aquarium plant types like Echinodorus, Cryptocoryne, various stem plants and Vallisneria species reap the best benefits from aquatic plant soil. Using them also supports the proper cycling of a new tank.

Ultum nature systems UNS Controsoil Extra Fine Black aquarium plant soil

Ultum nature systems UNS Controsoil Fine Black aquarium plant soil

Ultum nature systems UNS Controsoil Normal Black aquarium plant soil

EXTRA FINE

FINE

NORMAL

You’ll notice higher quality soils usually contain natural ingredients like volcanic ash and clay, which are then high pressure baked into granules. The spherical shape prevents your soil from turning into mud over time and can be useful when creating slope hills in your aquascape. Some aquarium substrates like Ultum Nature Systems Controsoil, come in two different colors and three granule sizes. The soil’s ingredients are the same, but choosing the correct granule size is important and can be game changing. Carpeting aquarium plants like Glossostigma elatinoides, Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘Cuba’, Micranthemum ‘Monte Carlo’, and Eleocharis (dwarf hairgrass) varieties are much easier to plant in extra-fine substrate types. The smaller granule also makes it easier for the plant’s roots to take hold and become established. On the flip side, large root aquarium plants like amazon swords (Echinodorus sp.) and jungle vals (Vallisneria sp.) will be easier to plant and root in larger soil granules.

Using aquarium soil, sand, and gravel while sloping it towards the back of the aquarium without mixing

There you have it! One important thing to note is that aquarium soils don’t last forever. In general planted tank conditions, most quality soils will last between 8-12 months before depletion. When you reach this point, here are some of the common options:

Revitalize the soil with aquarium plant root tabs!
Keep the same scape, remove some plants, top off with a fresh soil layer and replant.
Use this as an opportunity to do a full rescape.

Choose your Aquarium Substrate

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