BLUEiQ Miniature Ecosystem

by BLUEiQ

Product Details

• ASIN: B0040JP5JI
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

Product Description

The BLUEiQ is a miniature aquatic ecosystem developed by Art & Science For All with the goal of encouraging a more complete appreciation and understanding of the systems and processes which govern the natural world. Learn more about the ecosystem by caring for one of your own. Creating your personalized BLUEiQ is a piece of cake: Read the Owner's Guide. Order your livestock and custom options through our website. Put together and enjoy your new ecosystem. The BLUEiQ models after larger, more complicated ecosystems, and will develop a natural and sustainable internal balance. The BLUEiQ requires very little care and is a unique addition to the home, office, or classroom. The BLUEiQ comes in two packages. The first box, which you purchase through Design Public, includes standard components: 20-page educational Owner's Guide, handcrafted glass container, tweezers, tying thread, thermometer, and magnifying glass. The second box, which is shipped free of charge and ordered through www.theblueiq.com, includes the livestock and substrate portion of your BLUEiQ: 5 dwarf shrimp, 2 snails, your choice of aquatic plant, and your choice of substrate type.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS!!! September 26, 2010

By bbd

Amazon Verified Purchase

I saw this BlueiQ ecosystem at my colleague's office, and I felt in love with it right away. I was really mesmerized by it and couldn't wait to get one for myself. I went back to my office and ordered one on Amazon immediately. The first package came 2 days later and let me tell you, Quality, Quality. The hand blown vase is just impeccable. The package also comes with a magazine, tweezers, magnifying glass & etc. Everything just looks so beautiful, even the box. I followed the instructions and ordered the Blue2 online. It came very quickly as well. I set it up nicely in our living room 2 weeks ago. It is the 1st place I go to after coming home from a long day of work. It somehow takes away my stress and resets me into a peaceful mode. I am thinking about getting another unit for my husband's office. I think this also can be a perfect house warming gift.

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Neos died... twice.... three times.... May 8, 2011

By krista

Amazon Verified Purchase

I love this idea. I love the way this set up looks. I love watching my little Neo family comb through the delicate plants and rockery. If only they could survive.

Bought the BLUEiQ at the end of February. By the beginning of April all Neos had died. I contacted the company that sells these and after asking several questions (lighting conditions, heat of water, water I used, possibility of airborne contamination etc.) they kindly agreed to send me out a replacement population of Neos for free (usually $18, which seems a little high). It's been one month and the Neos are all dead again after following all instructions. I have a lot of experience with aquatic pets (7 fish tanks in my home right now). I suspected that they were dying from high nitrate/nitrite levels from waste produced. But after testing the water in came back normal. I'm stumped at what is causing these crashes to the system, but in the end I paid close to $100 bucks for a fancy glass vase.

6/22/2011 UPDATE: The good folks at the BLUEIQ Team have been working really hard to help me make this system successful. They sent me another replacement population of neos free of charge about a month ago. As of today all 7 neos are still alive. This time I have been keeping the system in a spot that gets alot of natural light during the day. I think this is the key. If you don't have an area that gets enough light the neos will starve from lack of food (algae grown by light).

3/19/2012 UPDATE: By the end of Summer 2011 all Neos died again. I give up! Tried of watching these guys die again and again. The BLUEiQ has now been retired to being an overpriced vase. Sticking with fish from now on. These red cherry shrimp are just so sensitive to environmental factors I'm not sure how so many people are successful with this system....

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Need a pet? September 15, 2010

By Ryan Tov

Amazon Verified Purchase

Problem: My friend wanted a puppy but lives in an apartment that didn't allow dogs.
Solution: I bought her a BLUEiQ.

For sometime, I thought about buying her a small aquarium so she could have a pet of her own until I stumbled upon the BLUEiQ. I know it wasn't a puppy, but she was quickly intrigued. I remember when she first opened the BLUEiQ box and asked, "Why'd you get me a vase." Funny girl. And so I told her, "I know you love puppies and I wish I could get you one, but instead you're going to be a proud owner of shrimps." She was skeptical at first until she went to the website and saw how pretty the examples were. She insisted that we order the second part of the package right away. We made an account together but she didn't let me choose any of the customizations but that was fine (I still want the other snail).

She's really happy that I got her a pretty new toy. We're both excited to receive the second part of the package.