Cubic PULSE 160 User manual

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PULSE 160, 640, 1280
USER GUIDE

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User Manual
Thank you for purchasing this Pulse Jellyfish Aquarium by Cubic Aquarium Systems.
The Pulse 160 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.
The following 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 is available for download at 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 will include the following:
1 x Cubic Jellyfish aquarium.
2 x Top lid panel
2 x Filtration cover
4 x water diffusers
4 x Filter sponge
Bio Media
1 x Remote control for the LED lighting system
2 x Adjustable circulation pump.
2 x Removable LED light strip
2 x Set of male/female connector hose tails for optional chiller connection
1 x Instruction manual and jellyfish keeping guide

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The Pulse Jellyfish Aquarium range has been carefully developed rigorously tested to ensure
that it offers the best conditions and caters for the very specific needs of Jellyfish.
IMPORTANT: When keeping planktonic jellyfish under no circumstances should any form of media,
substrate or decoration be added to the main display area.
IMPORTANT: When filled and operating, the aquarium will weigh approximately 170kg. The
aquarium should therefore be placed on a flat level surface of sturdy construction capable of
supporting a minimum recommended 200kg and withstanding accidental contact.
IMPORTANT: The aquarium should be sited out of the reach of young children and away from direct
sunlight where possible as this may induce excessive algal growth and overheating of the water
which can result in stress and damage to any livestock present.
IMPORTANT: Under no circumstances should power be supplied to the aquarium prior to it being
filled. Running the pump dry may result in severe damage to the pump internals and result in loss of
applicable warranties.
IMPORTANT: When the pump or LED strip are disconnected from their electrical sockets the
waterproof cap should be screwed in place to protect the outlet.
Section 1. Initial Set Up:

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Figure 1 & 2. Explanation of the aquarium function
The Pulse 160 has been designed specifically to house delicate organisms that would not survive in a
traditional aquarium. A circular (gyre) flow is created inside the aquarium by a spray bar. The water
flows into the tank in a way that keeps the aquarium occupants away from the outlet vent where
water is drawn into the filtration system.

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The filtration system is comprised of an initial slotted acrylic panel which spreads the water flow
equally over the filter media. The water then passes through a mesh and sponge filter where any
particles are trapped allowing them to be easily removed.
Next, the water passes through another acrylic panel which spreads the flow over the trickle filter.
This type of filter both oxygenates the water and breaks down any waste. The water exits the bottom
of the filter section and is pushed back to the spray bar via the pump.
Section 2: Initial Set Up:
IMPORTANT: These aquariums have been designed to run on a level surface. If the surface is placed
on is not level the filter boxes will not run evenly leading to bubbles being sucked into the display. If
this issue should occur, please refer to section 5 for a solution.
1) Place the aquarium on a flat and level surface
2) Remove any tape or plastic that has been used to protect or secure the tank
whilst in transit
3) Check the pump and unions are in place and secure as shown in figure 2
4) Connect the pump power lead and LED power lead into their correspondent
connection on the bottom of the filter chamber
5) Plug the power supply into the wall socket

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2.1 Setting the water level
The aquarium has been designed to allow the internal water level to be set at two different heights.
The water’s surface can be brought to the top of the tank making it invisible to the eye. In order to do
this simply place the provided acrylic strip inside the top of the filtration weir.
When cleaning the tank or adding/removing jellyfish, you may find it easier to lower the water level
slightly. This can be done by removing the acrylic strip from the top of the weir. Please take not that
removing the acrylic strip will increase the water level in the filtration section.

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2.2 Adding a filter or external chiller
An externally powered filter or chiller can be added to the aquarium. To connect an external
device, attach the supplied hose barbs to the barrel unions on the filter inlet and outlet. Run
two rubber hoses out of the bottom of the filter section to your external unit via an
appropriately sized external pump.

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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
Water Maturity
Jellyfish are highly sensitive to freshly mixed salt water and thus 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. This period
also allows 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.
Section 4: Flow Rate and balancing filter boxes
The flow rate can be adjusted on each filter section by turning the handle on the valve situated
below the filter box.
IMPORTANT: The valve should never be completely shut off whilst the pump is running. This may
damage your pump and result in loss of applicable warranties.
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.
Section 5. Balancing the flow
These aquariums have been designed to work on a level surface. If a level surface is unavailable we
suggest removing the supplied pumps and connecting the filter boxes together using a single
external pump as shown in section 2.2.
Alternatively, we can supply a kit which connects the left and ring filtration sections together as
shown in the image below. Please contact us at [e-mail] for further details.

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Please read the ‘Jellyfish Husbandry Guide’ which can be downloaded from
cubicaquarium.com/downloads for information specifically relating to keeping jellyfish and water
quality testing
Section 6. Using the Remote Control
The remote control communicates with your aquarium using radio signals and allows you to:
1) Increase speed/brightness
2) Decrease speed/brightness
3) Set the colour
4) Set the light function
5) Turn the power on/off
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:

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Temperature
The aquarium has no inbuilt temperature control. This means 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.
All of the Pulse range of aquariums have external connections allowing the tank to connect to an
external chiller or filter. When connecting your aquarium to an external device please refer to
section 2.2.
Size
There are hundreds of species of jellyfish available but many of them grow to large sizes. It is
important when choosing jellyfish that you take into account its rate of growth and maximum size.
If you choose to keep jellyfish with a very small maximum size you can feed heavily but when
keeping species with a large maximum size it is important to balance food intake. This way you can
control growth rates ensuring you can keep it in your Pulse 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, and on how to acclimatise Jellyfish when adding to the tank
Important: when adding jellyfish remember to lower water level first
Section 7. Aquarium Cleaning and Maintenance
Keeping your Pulse jellyfish aquarium clean and well maintained will prolong the life of your jellyfish
and keep the aquarium running for many years.
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.

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How to…
Feed Jellyfish
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
We suggest using a refractometer or digital salinity meter to test the salinity of your water. Salinity
reading should be between 1024-1025 specific gravity and 34-35 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 are essential to both dilute unwanted
accumulations and to replenish vital trace elements that are provided in the salt water. It is
therefore recommended that a minimum 20% of the aquariums water be exchanged for new on a
monthly basis.
Ideally water changes should be split across at least two changes over the month. 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. It is advisable to turn off the circulation pump when
conducting water changes to prevent the pump scavenging air.
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

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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 Technical support email [e-mail]
For all warranty claims and spare parts please contact your local Cubic dealer.
Issue February 2016
© Cubic Aquarium Systems Ltd.