AquaBabies
Feb 28 '00 (Updated Oct 01 '00)
For quite some time now, my youngest daughter, who is 8, has been asking for a pet. We are a family of dog owners, and currently have two, but she wanted something that she could call her own. First she wanted a cat, but my husband dislikes cats. Then she wanted a snake, but my oldest daughter almost fainted at the thought. Then she wanted a rat, like one of her school friends, but we all balked at that.
Shortly afterward, on a Christmas shopping mission, I found a small kiosk at the local mall which seemed to have the answer to the pet problem.
AquaBabies are small aquariums which are actually pint-sized ecosystems. They consist of:
A clear plastic tank
Living gravel - a natural filter
Colorful gravel - for aesthetics
A water plant - which provides oxygen for the tank and processes wastes as fertilizer
A colorful rock - again for aesthetics
A snail - to eat algae and help keep the tank clean
Either a frog or fish - Both are farm raised specifically for these systems. All are tiny and remain that way. The frog is completely aquatic, and only comes up for air for a very short time a few times a day.
Assembled, the tank needs no filter. The components work together to keep the tank clean and healthy naturally. Maintenance is minimal. Each month, 25% of the water needs to be replaced with clear, fresh spring water. The process is simple. You just removed the lid, take out water with a cup, and return the fresh water. About 4 times per year you need to completely replace all the water in the tank. Simply removed the frog or fish to a small container, carefully pour out the water, rinse the gravel, rock and plant, replace, and fill with spring water. That's it!
The animals are fed a tiny amount, on the tip of a toothpick, every other day. A year's supply of food comes with your ecosystem purchase.
A tank with four fish or one frog is $25.00. It can be purchased online at www.aquababies.com. There are also stores around the country, and you can check if there is one near you at their website. I was able to buy a slightly larger tank with 2 frogs for $32.00 at the mall.
We have had nothing but a good experience with our AquaBabies. My daughter was delighted to wake up Christmas morning and find a pet of her own. We explained that the frogs needed to stay in the tank at all times, and she has never had a problem with it. She faithfully remembers to feed them the proper amount of food every other day, and enjoys watching them swim. It has given her a great sense of responsibility and pride. As a matter of fact, we were so happy with our purchase, that we recently added another tank with fish this time.
I know that there are many people who want to bring a pet into their home for their child's enjoyment, but are hesitant because of the cost or time necessary for proper care. For those, I would highly recommend an AquaBabies system.
***UPDATE - April 19, 2000***
Today I found that AquaBabies are now being sold in Target stores. The small tank, which did sell for $25.00, was there for $15.99. A great price, more convenient to purchase, and a wonderful gift.
***UPDATE - October 01, 2000***
Yesterday I received an NR rating for this review, and a suggestion to go to this website: http://www.rk2000.com/boycott/aquababies.html. The website was begun by someone who feels that Aquababies amounts to nothing more than a "torture chamber" for fish, and that buying them is inhumane. Since I don't know that much about aquarium fish, only what I was told when I bought my Aquababies, I will let you decide. But I do need to add that both my Aquababies aquariums are still doing well and going strong.
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