Tomy Microaqua Dory Edition Aquarium

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

April 21, 2005

Product Requirements:
Device:
Either distilled water or water that has been cooked the allowed to return to room temperature, a drop of liquid dish soap, one AA battery

How are you with live fish? I wish that I could say I have a thriving aquarium tucked into a corner of my house, but that would be a big fat lie. The fact of the matter is that I kill fish. I either get their aquarium chemicals improperly balanced or I overfeed them. I may do all right with fish for a month or two, but then something will always go wrong and in the end they will die. Once again, I will vow that never again will I waste money on such an impossible pet.

The bad news is that this isn't a review on a product that will allow people like me to keep live aquariums. The good news is that it is the next best thing - a little aquarium that people like me can tuck over to the side of their desks, watching as the "fish" inside caper about, with no fear of their immanent deaths. I present to you, the Tomy Microaqua Dory Edition Aquarium. I'm not sure exactly why it isn't called the Finding Nemo edition, since it is based on characters from the movie, but Dory it is.

Included in the packaging are little Nemo, his father Marlin, and their friend Dory.

The tank is miniscule, measuring approximately 3.75" wide x 3.25" tall and 2" deep at its widest points. For those of you that collect Disney items, you'll be happy to know that this is a licensed product.

The aquarium comes with scenery installed - all that's missing it the little treasure chest that bobs open and shut.

Most of the behind the scenes action will occur in the aquarium lid. This is where a tiny screw holds the AA battery (not-included) compartment closed, as well as three 3 LR44 batteries (included).

You'll note the black wheel on the bottom left. That's what turns the handle connected to the  paddlewheel that's hidden in the blue rocks. This is how the bubbles are created. Setting up the aquarium is easy, but make sure you do this if you want the fish to happily float upright - don't forget the drop of liquid dish detergent; it doesn't work, I tried it. If you leave off this step, then the fish will float around on their sides - looking as dead as can be. A clear plastic plug is included to close off the large opening in the top of the aquarium.

You'll notice that there is a small hole in the top corner of the aquarium. This is so that you can empty the water without losing the fish, should the aquarium ever get "funky". Wouldn't it be great if real aquariums were so easy to clean?

Once the fish, cooked / cooled water and the drop of liquid detergent are in the aquarium, line the black wheels on the lid and the tank with each other and the setup is complete.

To turn the "water pump" on, the button on the top right of the aquarium must be pushed. To turn on the blue light, use the on / off switch. A soft whirring will be heard when the water pump is running.

The fish are blurry because they are moving!

As far as Disney collectibles go. I am not sure that the Tomy Microaqua Aquarium will appreciate over the years. However, it is a cute addition to a desk corner or a small shelf in a place where no fish can survive - a home like mine.

The Tomy Microaqua Dory Edition Aquarium is available at Nano RC and other retailers.

Price: $29

Pros:
Cute
Easy to set up
No live fish to kill

Cons:
Expensive