Cubic Orbit 20 User manual

Orbit 20 (Generation 3) User Guide
Thank you for buying this Cubic Orbit 20 Jellyfish Aquarium.
It has been carefully designed to offer many years of reliable service when set-up and
maintained in accordance with these instructions and we hope it provides much
pleasure and enjoyment wherever it is located.
These instructions should be read in full and followed prior to the installation, running, or
addition of any live animals into your aquarium.
For best results, we recommend the use of this manual combined with the ‘Jellyfish
Husbandry Guide’ which can be downloaded from www.cubicaquarium.com/download
BEFORE ASSEMBLY
The aquarium and all components should be carefully removed from its packaging and
inspected to ensure there has been no damage while in transit. If damage is evident, you
should contact your dealer as soon as possible before setting up the aquarium.
Your aquarium package includes the following:
1x Orbit 20 jellyfish aquarium
2x Coloured tank rings (black)
1x Remote control
1x DC power supply
1x Lid with LED light (connected)
1x Silent pump (connected)
4x Silicone hoses (connected)
1x valve (connected)
1x Spray bar (attached)
1x Filtration sponge
4 bags x Filtration media
1x Instruction manual
Accessories included:
1x Feeding baster
1x Syphon hose
1x Hydrometer
1x Net
1x Cleaning stick

The Orbit 20 Jellyfish Aquarium has been carefully developed and tested rigorously
to ensure that it offers the best conditions and caters for the very specific needs of
jellyfish.
IMPORTANT:
•Under no circumstances should:
a. power be supplied to the aquarium prior to it being filled with
appropriate water and the circulation pump submerged. Failure to do
so may result in severe damage to the pump and invalidate
warranties.
b. any form of media, substrate or decoration be added to the main
display chamber.
•When filled and operating, the aquarium will weigh approximately 20kg. It should
therefore be placed on a flat level surface of sturdy construction capable of
supporting a minimum recommended 30kg and withstanding accidental
contact.
•The aquarium should be positioned out of the reach of young children and away
from direct sunlight that may induce excessive algal growth and overheating of
the water which can result in stress and damage to any livestock present.
Section 1. Initial Set Up:
Figure 1.
1. Coloured aquarium ring
2. Aquarium window
3. Overflow panel
4. Spray bar
5. Filtration sponge
6. Lid
7. LED light
8. Connectors for pump and LED light
9. External aquarium body
10. Connections for external chiller/ filter
11. Internal aquarium ring
12. DC pump

1. Empty the Orbit 20 of all its contents (excluding the pipes already attached) and
rinse the inner and outer tank sections with tap water.
2. Place the Orbit 20 on a flat stable surface.
3. Open the bags of filtration media, rinse them in water to remove excess debris,
and pour them gently into the filtration section (3).
a. To speed up the cycle of water conditioning, we recommend adding some
live media to this section, or add bacteria starter.
Why? To increase the number of waste-eating bacteria to levels where they
can sustain the optimal water quality needed for your jellyfish.
4. Place the filter sponge (5) behind the overflow box as shown in (figure 1)
5. Attach the coloured tank rings (1) to the front and back of the tank. Simply put
the disk against the transparent window of the aquarium and move it until the
magnets line up and it snaps into place.
6. Fill both inner chamber and filtration sections with suitable water. The water level
should not exceed the “max fill” written on the side of filtration section
7. Fit the lid securely (6).
8. Plug the power supply into the wall socket.
Optional: Orbit20 can be connected to external filter/ chiller via connections
outside the tank (10). Please see Section 2 for more details.

Section 2. Connecting an external filter/chiller
The Orbit 20 aquarium has two pipe connectors on the side of the tank allowing an
external chiller to be run from the internal aquarium pump. To connect an external filter or
chiller to the aquarium, please follow the plumbing diagram below:
Figure 2.
Section 3. Salt Water
The use of tap water is not recommended as it may contain excess pollutants or high
concentrations of Chlorine and other contaminants which may be extremely harmful to
the aquarium inhabitants.
We highly recommend the use of natural sea water or pure Reverse Osmosis/deionised
water mixed with a good quality aquarium salt when keeping jellyfish. Pure Reverse
Osmosis or deionised water should also be used when replacing water that has
evaporated from the tank.

Section 4. Maturing the Aquarium and Adjusting Flow Rates
Water Maturity
Jellyfish are highly sensitive to freshly mixed salt water and water maturity is very
important.
a. If using fresh mixed salt water and/or artificial media that require maturation,
then the aquarium should be left to run for two weeks prior to the addition of
any livestock.
Why? The settling period allows the water to ‘age’ and stabilise chemically,
and for the bacterial colonies to establish on and within the media.
b. If using fresh mixed water with a pre-matured biologically active filter (live
rock rubble) then the settling period may be reduced to 1 week.
Flow Rate
Once livestock is added, the flow rate should be adjusted. This can be done by turning
the red flow adjustment knob on silicone tube connecting the pump to the spray bar.
For best results with Jellyfish, the flow rate should be such that the animals are very gently
circulated around the aquarium at a rate no more than that required to prevent the
jellyfish from settling on the bottom. This rate of flow will also help keep food suspended in
the water column where the jellyfish can feed effectively.
Please read the ‘Jellyfish Husbandry Guide’ which can be downloaded from
cubicaquarium.com/download for information specifically relating to keeping jellyfish
and water quality testing
Section 5. Using the Remote Control
The remote control provided communicates with your aquarium using infrared signals
and allows you to:
1) Increase or decrease brightness
2) Set to a selected colour
3) Turned on and off
4) White
5) Flash and strobe settings
6) Fade and smooth settings
To change settings, use the remote from a
distance of no more than 3 metres.
Figure 3.

Section 6. Choosing Your Jellyfish
This aquarium has been designed to maintain the correct flow and water filtration to
allow you to keep most species of jellyfish. The limiting factors when choosing jellyfish
species are:
Temperature
When choosing your jellyfish, you first need to know that maximum and minimum
temperature of the room where the aquarium will be placed. Once you know this
information you can choose a jellyfish species that will thrive within that temperature
range. The Orbit 20 has external connections allowing the tank to be connected to an
external chiller or filter. When connecting your aquarium to an external device please
refer to Section 2.
Size
Various types of jellyfish are available on the market but many of them grow to large
sizes. It is important when choosing jellyfish that you consider its rate of growth and
maximum size.
If you choose to keep jellyfish with a very small maximum size, you can feed heavily but if
the jellyfish you keep can grow to a large size, it is important to balance its food intake.
This way you can keep its growth slow ensuring you can keep it in your Orbit 20 aquarium
for as long as possible before it has to be rehoused or returned to the pet shop.
Please check our ‘Jellyfish Husbandry Guide’ for more information on jellyfish species and
their husbandry requirements.
Section 7. Aquarium Cleaning and Maintenance
Keeping your Orbit 20 jellyfish aquarium cleaned and well maintained will prolong the life
of your jellyfish and your aquarium
IMPORTANT: Under no circumstances should:
a. detergents, spray cleaners or any other chemical agent be used on or near
the aquarium.
Why? Using such materials can harm the inhabitants and/or damage the
acrylic finish and tank construction. Any such use will invalidate applicable
warranties.
b. excessive pressure be used when cleaning, nor any form of harsh abrasive
material be used.
Why? The use of such materials may damage the vulnerable acrylic
surface impairing its clarity and tendency to resist further biofilm
accumulation.

How to…
Feed Jellyfish
Use the feeding baster provided to gently
add prepared food to the aquarium
chamber. Please refer to the Feeding section
of ‘Jellyfish Husbandry Guide’ for details on
preparing jellyfish food. Feeding frequency
will depend on the variety of jellyfish and the
size to which you wish your stock to grow.
Clean External Surfaces
Use a soft lint-free cloth made damp with
clean water or Reverse Osmosis water. Any
smears or minor marks may be polished away
afterwards by wiping down with a second soft
lint-free dry cloth.
Clean Internal Surfaces
Over time the internal surfaces of the
aquarium including the viewing panes may
show a build-up or fine film, commonly known
as a ‘biofilm’ consisting of bacteria and minor
algal populations. These may be removed by
regular gentle wiping with a suitable soft
sponge or dedicated acrylic cleaning pad
available from your aquatic retailer.
Clean Filter Sponge
The internal filter sponges will need regular
routine cleaning. The regularity of
maintenance required will depend on the
number of animals kept and the
amount/types of food used. As a general recommendation, it is suggested that the
sponge be removed and rinsed under hot running water before being given a final rinse
in Reverse Osmosis water at least once every two weeks.
Check Water Salt Levels
Use the hydrometer provided to take a sample of the aquarium water. Salinity reading
should be between 1.023-1.026 specific gravity or 30-35 parts per thousand.
Change Water
Regular water changes are an essential and accepted part of maintaining a healthy
aquatic environment.
Whilst the built-in filtration system will help break down a large percentage of any waste
and uneaten food generated, the accumulation of organic material and lowering of
water quality over time mean that a regular routine of water changes is essential to both
dilute unwanted accumulations, and to replenish vital trace elements that are provided
We recommend the following
routine:
Daily
oFeed jellyfish once or
twice as necessary
oRemove uneaten food
Weekly
oGently wipe the inside of
the tank to remove algae
oCheck water salt levels
o10% water change
Monthly
oRemove filter sponge and
rinse under the tap
Every 3 Months
oThoroughly clean the
filter and filter sponge
oRemove and clean the
pump

in the salt water. It is therefore recommended that at least 20% of the aquarium’s water is
exchanged for new on a monthly basis.
Ideally water changes should be split across two changes performed once every two
weeks at the same time that the filter sponge is cleaned. The addition of a small amount
of new salt water will have no adverse effect on any animals present as long as it is well
mixed and aerated prior to addition.
Add new water to the filter compartment.
IMPORTANT:
a. Always remember to turn off the circulation pump when conducting water
changes to prevent the pump scavenging air.
b. New water, including fresh top-up water, should always be added to the
filter compartment only.
c. Never add new water to the main display area as this may add bubbles to
the display that can damage the Jellyfish if they become trapped under
the body.
d. Avoid any water splashes to the electrical connectors and do not connect
to power if wet.
e. The circulation pump may be turned on again only after it has been fully
submerged.
Section 8. Disposing of jellyfish in the event they die or become too large for the tank
It is extremely important that under no circumstances are jellyfish to be released into the
natural ecosystem by direct release or lavatory flushing. Even dead jellyfish can produce
planula (jellyfish larva) which can attach to rock and begin producing baby jellyfish, and
this can have disastrous consequences for the local environment.
Dead jellyfish should first be placed in a bucket of water and sterilised with a cap of
bleach before being disposed of in a bag, in the trash.
If jellyfish become too large for the tank many pet shops will offer a buy back policy
where they will exchange the jellyfish for cash or store credit.
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For further information visit cubicaquarium.com
For additional support and advice visit the Cubic Forum and join the Jellyfish community
at www.jellyfishkeepers.com
For Technical support and general enquiries email [e-mail]
Issue July 2020
© Cubic Aquarium Systems.