FAQ

EcoQube

What is the EcoQube made out of and what are the dimensions of the tank?

The aquarium is hand made from acrylic while the filter and light are made out of clear polycarbonate in order to achieve optimal clarity. The dimensions of the tank are 10.5” x 8” x 7.3”.

How do I set up the EcoQube?

Setting up the EcoQube is extremely simple. All you need to do is add conditioned water (not tap) and plug it in! Of course, you want to wait at least 1-2 weeks for the ecosystem to develop before placing any livestock in the aquarium.

Can I use salt water with the EcoQube?

The EcoQube’s Aquaponics Filter was designed specifically for plants like Mint and Basil that can only grow with fresh water.

Does the Ecoqube come with a warranty?

Yes, all of our EcoQube kits come with a 12 month limited warranty. Check out our warranty page below.

How long will my EcoQube take to ship?

Most pre-orders will be shipped within 45 days and complete orders go out within 3 business days.

Fish

How many fish can the aquarium hold and what species are recommended?

We would suggest starting off with two white cloud minnows or zebrafish and, if you’d like, slowly adding more as your plants grow. If you’re keeping the aquarium in a warmer area (75͒ room temperature), you can easily keep smaller tropical fish, like guppies, scarlet badis, and many others. If you're looking to put more fish in, please do not cramp them in the EcoQube. Simply purchase a larger rimless aquarium, and place the Aquaponics Filter on that aquarium for optimal filtration!

How is livestock shipped?

Check out a detailed blog post explaining how we package and ship our livestock: http://aquadesigninnovations.com/packagingshipping/

Plants

What plants are recommended for the EcoQube?

For filtration, Basil and Mint have been tested for best results. Inside the aquarium, we recommend EcoQube owners to include aquatic plants, like Java Ferns, aquatic mosses, and Anubias. The more plants there are in the EcoQube, the easier it will be to maintain.

Do any plants come with the standard ecoqube kit?

The standard Ecoqube comes with basil seeds to grow on top of the aquarium as part of the aquaponics cycle. No aquatic plants are included with the standard kit, however, they can be purchased to be included with your kit in our shop section.

Can any type of soil be used for growing the plant at the top section?

In the filter section of the EcoQube, we have a special reticulated foam formulated to germinate/grow seeds. However, for our international backers, we recommend using rockwool or a sponge to germinate seeds.

Will I need to water the plant up top?

No, using the aquaponics system, your plant will be constantly receiving nutrient rich water via the filter.

Maintenance

How do I maintain my aquarium if I am away for an extended period of time (i.e. vacation, business trip, etc.)?

Make sure someone tops off your aquarium at least once a week. Maintain the water level above the water chute on the filter. In a developed ecosystem, most fish can be left unfed for about 5-10 days, but the filter cannot run dry for more than a few seconds.

How much dechlorinator should I add to the EcoQube?

You will only need a small amount, roughly 2 to 3 drops will work perfectly.

Will I ever have to change the filter?

The filters do not need to be changed unless you are replacing the plant inside the filter itself. However, every ecosystem is different, and depending on the bioload (amount of livestock) and debris, the filters can get clogged. In that case, simply remove the filter cover, take the sponge out, and rinse the sponge in conditioned water. Remove any debris you see on the bottom of the filter, and place the sponge back into the filter.

So I don’t need to change the filter. Will I still need to feed the fish?

Yes! Your fish need to be fed once a day but only in the amount that they can eat within 15 seconds. Additional food will pollute the ecosystem.

How would I replace the LED light if it were to stop working?

The high quality LEDs are rated for 10,000 hours. However, once in a while, a section of the LEDs can go out due to circuit breakage or disconnecting wires. In this case, the entire LED unit would have to be replaced. If it’s still under ADI’s 12-month warranty, please email us at help@adiventures.net for a replacement!

Is there a certain water level that must be maintained?

Water level must be maintained above the water spout at ALL times.

UV Sterilizer

Is the compact UV sterilizer necessary?

We originally built the Aquaponics Filter in the EcoQube with commercial use in mind so that it can be scaled for food production and run clean water through plants we harvest from the filter. Typically, a small aquarium will not require UV sterilization, although it helps keep the water extra clear and clean by acting as a buffer for mistakes, such as overfeeding or exposure to too much light, a cause of bacterial and algae blooms. However, the compact UV sterilizer can be added on as an attachment.

How long does the compact UV sterilizer last?

The UV light is the first-ever 265 nanometer LED used for water sterilization in aquarium filters and is rated for over 10,000 hours! It only needs to be on one hour a day to clean your EcoQube, so it should last a lifetime.

How do I install the UV sterilizer?

Check out our blog post for the installation guide http://adiventures.net/blogs/blog/18141295-uv-sterilizer-installation-instructions

International

I’m an international customer, what is the voltage for the power cord? Do I need an adaptor?

If you are outside of U.S.A., you will need to purchase an adaptor. Voltage is a wide range 110V AC- 240V AC input.

Is there an international shipping fee?

Yes, the international shipping fee is an additional $18.

EcoQube C

What is the size of the EcoQube C?

The EcoQube C is about 7.8 inches by 7.8 inches by 7.8 inches and holds about 1.5 gallons in volume.

Why can't we eat the plant growing out of the EcoQube C?

The plant is used for filtration. If removed the main filtering mechanism on the EcoQube C will be removed. Aquarium products are also not made for food consumption. Most people will end up using aquarium fish food,dechlorinator and other products reccomended by local fish stores that can be toxic.

Does the EcoQube C need the compact UV sterilizer?

The EcoQube filter was originally designed with commercial use in mind so that it can be scaled for food production and run clean water through the plants that would be harvested. But a typical small aquarium will not require UV sterilization although having it helps keep the water extra clean by acting as a buffer for mistakes such as overfeeding or too much sunlight exposure which causes bacterial and algae growth. You are always more than welcome to use the UV sterilizer as an attachment.

Which fish thrive the best with the EcoQube C?

We highly recommend keeping 1 betta/Siamese fighting fish because it thrives in room temperature. Other fish like guppies, endlers, white cloud mountain minnows, zebra danios can be kept in the EcoQube C as well but each require a specific set of water parameters. We also recommend amano algae eating shrimp and algae eating nerite snails to keep the ecosystem pristine.

Will you offer add ons like the plants, wood and rocks shown in the photos and videos?

Yes! Due to the high demand of the original EcoQube, we have already begain selling it on our website www.adiventures.net.

Does the EcoQube C consume a lot of energy?

The EcoQube C will consume less than 7 watts when the pump, light, and UV is being used. The UV only needs to be on for 2 hours a day while the light only 7 hours.

Does the EcoQube C work with Saltwater?

The EcoQube C was designed and tested for freshwater but it may work with a small mangrove in the filter. No guarantees though.

Does the EcoQube C need supplemental light like sunlight?

Sunlight is what usually causes imbalances in an aquarium or ecosystem. Sunlight has a lot of energy and can cause algae growth due to imbalances in the ecosystem. Keep it away from sunlight and your EcoQube C will never have green algae.