Shrimp lover Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 So, I want to get Controsoil for my 20 gallon planted shrimp tank! I'm not sure if I should get extra fine or just fine? Anyone have opinions? I'm going to be starting a dwarf baby tears and glosso carpet! Edwardnah, KlimparOn and MableBile 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimple minded Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I haven't tried extra fine but fine (3mm?) seems perfect to me, I took the recommendation of many others and asked the same as you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimp lover Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Is it ok to use it with Neocaridina shrimp? I heard it alters the ph! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amyers22 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I have controsoil in my 20 long planted shrimp tank. I chose fine. I think the size is perfect. In my opinion the ex-fine was too small and wouldn't be "heavy" enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amyers22 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 This is what the fine black controsoil looks like in my tank. There are a few Borneowild humic balls in there, but are noticeably larger than the substrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimp lover Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I have controsoil in my 20 long planted shrimp tank. I chose fine. I think the size is perfect. In my opinion the ex-fine was too small and wouldn't be "heavy" enough.Is it ok for Neocaridina? I have yellow and reds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimp lover Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 And your shrimp are beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amyers22 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Is it ok for Neocaridina? I have yellow and reds! It will buffer your pH pretty low if you're using RO water with a remineralizer. If you use tap it won't be quite as low, but in my opinion would defeat the purpose of this particular substrate. It says on the packaging not to use products that enhance the pH or TDS. I personally use a TDS supplement to get my parameters perfect, but I haven't had any issues. I love it and you can definitely make it work. My plants grow very well in this substrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amyers22 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 And your shrimp are beautiful! Thank you I purchased that particular blue bolt from Shrimpscales here on shrimpspot. He got me started with some of my first Taiwan bees and they are beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimp lover Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 It will buffer your pH pretty low if you're using RO water with a remineralizer. If you use tap it won't be quite as low, but in my opinion would defeat the purpose of this particular substrate. It says on the packaging not to use products that enhance the pH or TDS. I personally use a TDS supplement to get my parameters perfect, but I haven't had any issues. I love it and you can definitely make it work. My plants grow very well in this substrate.I just use tap water, but I really wanted to get this for my plants! I am looking into starting to do RO water, but I don't know what remineralizer to use! I don't want it to get too expensive either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DETAquarium Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I highly recommend "Fine" over "Extra-Fine". I setup two aquariums a few months ago, one with "Fine" and the other "Extra-Fine". I used canister filters with spray bars, I found that the "Extra-Fine" was so light, that at the front of the tank a divot was starting to form from the circulation, slowly pushing substrate farther and farther back. If your using a spone filter/UG/HMF you should be fine either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaykidding Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 where did you guys buy the controsoil? The website is sold out and on amazon it is suppose to be $41, but it says $172 for a bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amyers22 Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Holy cow, they definitely raised the price. I purchased mine for $45 with free shipping. They do have Fine and Original grain still available in black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaykidding Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 It says that on the website and gives the link to amazon for $41 and free shipping. Man I really wanted to use it for my 2 ten Gallon tanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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