Which AI Axis will fit in Waterbox 20 Cube for return pump

bubbgee · Mar 28, 2024

I am looking to replace my Sicce micro with a better pump but I cant seem to find something that will work as a better return pump. I was thinking of the AI Axis but I am not sure which one would work (the largest I can fit in there).

Is there anyone who has been successful upgrading to AI Axis on their Waterbox cube?

beegee · Mar 29, 2024

Axis 40 would be the right size and flow rate. I don't have one though, so I'm following this thread.

BrunoL · Apr 14, 2024

I recently installed the Axis 40 on my waterbox 20. Fits perfectly. It's a lot of flow though, mine runs at 50%.

beegee · Apr 14, 2024

How noisy is it? Any “humming” sound?

rogueshrimp88 · Apr 14, 2024

I know it's slightly bigger but I have the Axis 40 in my WB 25 and it not only fits but it is dead silent. All I hear is the trickle of water when it goes out of Feed Mode.

BrunoL · Apr 15, 2024

beegee said:
How noisy is it? Any “humming” sound?

Mine is dead silent too. So far I'm really loving it.

One Reefing Boi · May 25, 2024

BrunoL said:
Mine is dead silent too. So far I'm really loving it.

Have you had the random shut off issues some people claim to have?

braaap · May 25, 2024

One Reefing Boi said:
Have you had the random shut off issues some people claim to have?

Nope. I have an axis 40 from launch day. Works great. Occasionally it won’t come back on from a feed mode but I’m convinced that’s an MXM issue because it affects my Vortechs too. The mxm is junk.

BrunoL · May 25, 2024

No random shut off issues for me, it runs great to be honest. I'm happy with it.

One Reefing Boi · May 25, 2024

braaap said:
Nope. I have an axis 40 from launch day. Works great. Occasionally it won’t come back on from a feed mode but I’m convinced that’s an MXM issue because it affects my Vortechs too. The mxm is junk.

BrunoL said:
No random shut off issues for me, it runs great to be honest. I'm happy with it.

I’m also looking into the Hygger returns

beegee · May 25, 2024

Mine has been great so far!

bubbgee · May 26, 2024

One Reefing Boi said:
I’m also looking into the Hygger returns

I tried the hyger's copycat return pump. The smallest return pump's barb size doesn't fit the hose connected to the elbow connector. I gave up after trying different hoses afterwards and returned it to amazon.

Do let us know if you figure it out.

One Reefing Boi · May 27, 2024

bubbgee said:
I tried the hyger's copycat return pump. The smallest return pump's barb size doesn't fit the hose connected to the elbow connector. I gave up after trying different hoses afterwards and returned it to amazon.

Do let us know if you figure it out.

Do you also have the 50.1 AIO?

bubbgee · May 27, 2024

One Reefing Boi said:
Do you also have the 50.1 AIO?

Nope, the 20 gal cube. You can take a look and compare the size of the compartment off the waterbox site and the pump off of amazon.

bubbgee · Jun 19, 2024

Update on this..
I was able to get the Axis 20 instead of the 40. Only because I also got an extra Nero 3, so there's too many pumps in my tiny cube lol.

Pros: Being a DC pump, I plugged it to my ice cap battery backpack with one of the Nero 3s. I set the power to off and I was able to run those two pumps at regular speed (both at 30%) for about four days. Huge bonus!
App control is a huge plus since I have several AI products already. The pump is shorter than the Axis 40, which allows me to add the extra Nero3 to that part of the back wall.

Cons: Attaching a variable flow outlet for wave control wasn't really effective even at max speed. There is no pulse mode and wave mode which the Mighty Jet and the IOAIO alternative pump (which is half-price of the Axis) have.

All in all, if you're not invested in AquaIllumination and need to update your return pump, I'd still recommend a Mighty Jet or IOAIO for the pulse and wave function. But if you're knee deep in AI products in your tank, Axis is a no-brainer. A DC return pump is really a must have upgrade with the battery packs available in the market place for making sure the tank is at least pushing water when there is power outage (one of my worst fears, really).

BrunoL · Jun 20, 2024

Thanks for the update, I was divided between the 20 and 40 as well. The 40 on the other hand has enough flow to plug an RFG on it, which I think won't work that well on the 20? How many Neros are you running in your Waterbox? I'm running a single Nero 3 on the side panel.

bubbgee · Jun 20, 2024

I have 3 powerheads. Two Nero 3s on the back wall (one next to the overflow and one under the return) and an mp 10 on lowest at the bottom left side close to the front glass. I still am tinkering with the flow since I am looking at my torches and I want more extension. Currently I am on pulse for both, the child is at 90 degrees and just running 30%.

I've seen another configuration with a single Nero 5 on the upper middle left side, which now makes me think.. lol. This 20 cube is gorgeous.