Customer Reviews

Sea Monkeys And Aquarium

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

My friend gave me this toy approx. a year ago. I thought the toy would be neat for a little while, but I never thought I would grow to love it. The sea-monkeys are born instantly the minute you put the eggs in the water. After that, they require very little care; the packet of food included in the kit lasted me for almost a year now. They are always fun to watch. Over the past year, I think I have approximately 3 to 4 generations of sea-monkeys. The very last batch I have, even though they were young adults and still have at least a few more months lifespan, unfortunately all died this week (7/12/99) because of an unusually hot day. Everyday, I put them out in the sun because they love it. I never thought an extremely hot day would kill them. Since I am addicted to them now, I will mail order more eggs (or the manual says I can just let the water evaporate naturally, and when I add water again, more would be born. It's very educational. Try it.)

Sea monkeys might help to satisfy the urge most kids feel to have a pet. After a week or so, the sea monkeys are big enough to see with the naked eye. I think it would be difficult for most children to feel anything for the newborn sea monkeys that are practically microscopic. The key to enjoying sea monkeys is to prepare the children to be patient. It is true that unlike ladybug or ant projects, the sea monkeys come with the kit and don't require you to wait while they are mailed to you. However, the sea monkeys aren't as instant or as interactive as you might expect. You must spend the first 24 hours treating the water. Then, you pour in the sea monkey eggs and they hatch. But, they are nothing but tiny dots. Even when adults, these are tiny shrimp. They won't interact with you like a dog or bunny might. But, don't give up.

The sea monkeys are fascinating creatures. The booklet that comes with them reveals some amazing features of this little animal. For example, sea monkeys can reproduce five different ways! It is mesmerizing to watch them swim around in the little aquarium. They are in constant motion. After the first week, care of the sea monkeys couldn't be easier. During the first week you need to pour the aquarium into another container to stir up the water. After that, they require only occassional feedings. Other than that, you can't go wrong. If you let the water evaporate and dry out. Just add more treated water and the sea monkeys are virtually born again. This is an animal designed to persist.

The kit I received comes with a day-glo yellow aquarium. There is no light or pump or anything fancy. It seems well made, but it's not the kind of thing that fits into most living room decor. And, that's fine because this will probably go into the kids' room anyway. Younger kids can take care of the sea monkeys with a little help and older kids can be left to do it on their own.

In short, this is an inexpensive and fun project. Enjoy.

Sea Monkeys are awesome. I cannot believe how amazing they are. First of all, setting up the tank is easy. You put 12 ounces of water in it, add the Water Purifier, and mix until dissolved. Then you wait 24-36 hours... when the time has passed, you just open the packet of eggs, stir and that's it. Then they're born! Everything's so easy with Sea Monkeys!

Sea Monkeys are pretty tiny at first. I had a hard time telling what was a Sea Monkey or a bubble. But they grow quickly. They don't eat much; only once a week. They're good pets for busy people because they don't need much care. Here are a few bad things about the Sea Monkey set: 1. SPILLS- I spilled water out of the two holes in the top by accident. BE AWARE. Walk slowly when they're in your hands. 2. FIGHTS- Sea Monkeys can sometimes fight over who gets the girl. Sometimes they fight over the death!! I haven't seen this happen yet, but I don't like the sound of it. I think they start to fight about... 4 weeks after they are born. 3. SEA DIAMONDS- Ah! I hate these Sea Diamonds. A few days ago I put some Sea Diamonds in the aquarium, thinking they would get excersise and have some fun. But I was wrong! First of all, the diamonds are huge. I think I crushed some Sea Monkeys when I added the diamonds in. Second of all, the Sea Monkeys are not interested in them at all. My SMS are swimming around the top and eventually going to the bottom to get a few crumbs of food. They don't play with them at all. So I just spooned them out and threw them in the trash. 4. AERATE- Some websites told me to mix more air in the aquarium. They told me to blow INTO A STRAW to give oxygen to them. I think I sucked some SM algae stuff down my throat. HERE'S A TIP- JUST MIX WITH A SPOON GENTLY.

And there are a thousand things that are good about Sea Monkeys, but one of the best things is naming them. I haven't named mine yet, but I plan to be creative. I'll be naming some regular names (like Christina and Nicholas) but the rest are going to be named things like: SPUNKY, LAVENDER, and PUPS.

Have fun with Sea Monkeys!

I remember having Sea-Monkeys when I was young, and I remember they didn't live very long. I've found the newer kits last much longer (I kept one colony alive for 2 years until my cat knocked the aquarium over). I now keep my new colony in my cubicle at work. I highly recommend the Oceans of Light set because the light makes it much easier to see the littler "monkeys" as they hatch.

Great fun for kids and adults alike!

This is Brian La Fountain. I have owned Sea-Monkeys ever since I was a child and have researched them and their aquatic relatives for many years with fantastic success raising them for long periods of time. I believe I have owned the record longest living span of Sea-monkeys which was ELEVEN years! Transcience sent me a letter saying that it was a record with them! I even traveled from state to state when I moved and kept them in zip-lock bags. It was a big loss to me when a power outage left them too cold one winter. Anyway, these are my simple secrets: Bright light near a window...NOT "IN" the sunlight, just outside the brightest part of a warm window's sunlight. This makes algae grow and algae add oxygen to the water and seems to make the water clearer almost overnight after it grows. Allow water to drop and inch from evwporation every few months. This makes them molt and strengthen their bodies. Add fresh water to the original level and make sure that tap water has stood overnight. Chlorine is instant death. The growth food packet will run out in a few months...Keeping them near sunlight keeps the algae growing and they eat it instead of the packet growth food, which eventually runs out. And, like I said, algae adds plenty of oxygen. Once every few weeks, gently pour them into a tall glass and clean ONE side of the tank of it's algae growth so you can see them better and leave the other algae because it is beneficial. The slow pouring is fun for them, too. Remove every so often, the "grit" on the bottom of the tank, which they can get trapped in. Lastly, a warm room is essential. I have added a 1/8 teaspoon of aquarium salt to their tank every year to allow for loss in evaporation and cleaning of the tank. It is so sad to see people keeping them on a desk in a dark corner. Like most healthy things, sunlight and warmth are the keys. Love them and they will evolve and reproduce and swirl around day and night and add a smile to your face every day. (marilynl@tds.net)

I am 14 years old, and I have had Sea-Monkeys 2 or 3 times. They are an excellent "toy". Although I personally haven't seen them the instant the eggs are put in, I have always seen them the next day. They are very tiny at first, but they get pretty big. They are extremely low maintenance, and very easy to care for. Just feed them every 3 days (I believe that's what the book says), and they will entertain you for hours and hours! The book also provides information on the scientific aspect of Sea-Monkeys, such as molting, breeding, and what they really are (brine shrimp).

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to keep my Sea-Monkeys for very long, because my little brother would always spill them over. That's why I didn't give it a full durability rating. Although they live a long time, their tank can easily be spilled or knocked over. Because of my little brother, I haven't been able to get Sea-Monkeys for a while. Now he's older, and I can't wait to get more.

They can do "tricks", and the book tells you how to "teach" those tricks to your pets. There are also many accessories and stuff that you can get for your pets, such as a billow to aerate their water, and little "Sea Diamonds" that they will play with. They have pens, watches, and a necklace that you can put your Sea-Monkeys in for a while. THEY EVEN HAVE A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY! My advice to everyone is if you're looking for cheap, low maintenance pets (I can guarantee you'll have more than one!), get Sea-Monkeys!

We received this sea monkey kit for Christmas (my daughter is five)and our sea monkeys are thriving. Everything we needed, (except 2 AA batteries for the light), came with the kit. The instruction/information booklet goes into great detail and then the instructions are paraphrased on each packet which are in turn clearly numbered as to the order in which they are to be used. (there is a packet for the eggs, one for the food, one for the water conditioner etc.)

We are having fun watching them grow so quickly and in addition my daughter is having fun (and learning a lot) keeping track on the calendar when the sea monkeys need to be fed, when 'plasma' needs to be added etc. and charting how big the sea monkeys are getting.

This is definitely not the kind of pet that would rate as high as a puppy or a pony, but its the kind of activity that will teach children patience and appreciation for the little things

Older children could easily use this kit without adult supervision and for the younger ones it's a fun family activity.

Before I start, This is from a 13 year old's point or view. The whole Sea-Monkey experience for me has been AMAZING! Though it could be more durable, it doesn't mean it's not FUN! I mean I'm not saying it's NOT durable! It totally is! Anyhow...With the Ocean Of Light, you can watch you Sea-Monkeys at ANY time of day! (or night for that matter)You can order color filters that change the color of the light, and you can even perform TRICKS with your Sea-Monkeys! The best part of the whole experiecne is how EASY they are to take care of! You only feed them ONCE A WEEK! There is NO end to the fun! I have 3 tanks of Sea-Monkeys and they NEVER stop amazing me! It's a great summer activity too! While I'm out of school, I am starting my whole Sea-Monkey world over again! (Last time I kinda forgot to feed them...A LOT!) Best of luck to YOU on your educational Sea-Monkey Journeys!

I am 19 years old and I work with pre-school aged children. I bought a sea monkey kit a few weeks ago and took it into work. Not only are the children interested but my cowokers and the parents are also. I wasn't sure if they would live, but I have had them for two weeks now and they are growing and seem to be just fine. I would recommend sea monkeys to anyone who is interested in something that is amasing to watch. Most children love these kinds of things. When my monkeys die, I will go and buy more eggs and start again.

Sea Monkeys are a good pet for children who want a pet. They are a low maitinence hybrid brine shrimp. The can get from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long. Kids will enjoy watching them. I reccomend that you order a "million bubbles air pump" from the booklet included with the sea-monkeys, because for the first week, you have to aerate the water, and this is the easiest and most effective way of aerating. OR, another good way to aerate the water is to take a straw, poke small holes around the bottom with a needle or pin, and blow through it while it is in the tank. This WILL work to, because when you exhale, you blow out enough oxygen to support the small creature's lives. If you do use the straw, you should do it atleast a few times a day, unlike the once a day you only need with the airpump. Feeding is simple,to, you just feed once on the fifth day with a small scoop included, and once a week after that. And, read the instructions CAREFULLY, for you may add to much food, use non-boiled tap water, not aerate enough, or think that when you first add the eggs after adding the water purifier 24 hrs ago, there are no sea monkeys. They are tiny specks "hopping" along in the water. Sometimes they dont come for a few days, so leave it and watch very carefully. Sea Monkeys reach full size at 6-8 weeks, and can live a couple years. Sorry about the long review, but- Sea monkeys are a great pet, just remember, follow the instructions carefully!