Macquarium
Encyclopedia
A Macquarium is an aquarium
made to sit within the shell of an Apple Macintosh computer. The term was coined by computer writer Andy Ihnatko
as a joke (a jibe at then outdated Macintosh 512K
) but Macquariums have since been built both by Ihnatko himself and by others.
Ihnatko originally designed his Macquarium around the Compact Macintosh
-style shell. In the early 1990s several Mac models in this form factor (the Macintosh 128K
, Macintosh 512K
and Macintosh Plus
) were becoming obsolete, and Ihnatko considered that turning one into an aquarium might be "the final upgrade" — as well as an affordable way to have a colour Compact Mac. He has mentioned in interviews that he had seen previous, overly-complex attempts at Macintosh aquariums at trade shows
that among other drawbacks suffered from noticeable water level lines across the "screen" that spoiled the illusion of a "really good screensaver", which drove him to design a version without a visible water line and which allowed the external case of the donor Mac to remain intact.
Ihnatko's slant-front tank design, made of glass, had a nominal capacity of approximately 10 litres (2.2 UK gallons or 2.5 US gallons). Some subsequent designs have utilised plexiglass or lexan
. Because of its small capacity relative to most other aquariums, the Macquarium is considered a form of pico aquarium, which requires a higher level of diligence to maintain proper water chemistry and cleanliness.
Some of the Macquariums built by others on an individual basis, the versions that Ihnatko refers to as "overly complex", were constructed with parts from two sources located closer to Apple
headquarters a 1 Infinite Loop Drive on De Anza Blvd in Cupertino, CA. Across the street from each other was the Tropical Fish Factory and a retail location for Tap Plastics, a supplier of scrap and custom acrylic plastic. The Tropical Fish Factory was one of Northern California
's largest aquarium products and live fish retailers. Both businesses are now gone, but their impact on Macquariums will remain. How these Macquariums differed is that the actual Macintosh shell was the aquarium where vent holes and the screen was sealed so that it could hold water.
Macquariums are often stocked with 2-3 goldfish
which do not require tank heaters and are cheap. But because goldfish grow large, have high oxygen requirements and are messy eaters they require much larger tanks for survival, Siamese Fighting Fish
and small shrimp are better options.
Other Mac models have similarly been made into aquariums such as the Macintosh TV
, the Apple Lisa
and the Power Mac G4 Cube
. Various iMac
models have been used to make "iMacquariums". By 1995, a Macquarium based on a Mac LC
575 appeared in a Macintosh magazine titled "Macquarium '95".
The term "Macquarium" as it refers to the Macintosh-based aquarium is unrelated to the Atlanta, Georgia
, user experience firm Macquarium Intelligent Communications.
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
made to sit within the shell of an Apple Macintosh computer. The term was coined by computer writer Andy Ihnatko
Andy Ihnatko
Andy Ihnatko is a technology journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, and tech author. He currently resides in Massachusetts. He frequently appears on Leo Laporte's podcasts, specifically MacBreak Weekly and TWiT...
as a joke (a jibe at then outdated Macintosh 512K
Macintosh 512K
The Macintosh 512K Personal Computer, also known as the "Fat Mac", is the second of a long line of Apple Macintosh computers, was the first update to the original Macintosh 128K. It was virtually identical to the previous Mac, differing primarily in the amount of built-in memory , which quadrupled...
) but Macquariums have since been built both by Ihnatko himself and by others.
Ihnatko originally designed his Macquarium around the Compact Macintosh
Compact Macintosh
"Compact Macintosh" or "Classic Macintosh" are informal terms that refer to the direct descendants of the original Macintosh personal computer case design by Apple Computer, Inc. All of them are all-in-one desktop computer designs with the display integrated in the computer case, but not the...
-style shell. In the early 1990s several Mac models in this form factor (the Macintosh 128K
Macintosh 128K
The Macintosh 128K machine, released as the "Apple Macintosh", was the original Apple Macintosh personal computer. Its beige case contained a monitor and came with a keyboard and mouse. An indentation in the top of the case made it easier for the computer to be lifted and carried. It had a selling...
, Macintosh 512K
Macintosh 512K
The Macintosh 512K Personal Computer, also known as the "Fat Mac", is the second of a long line of Apple Macintosh computers, was the first update to the original Macintosh 128K. It was virtually identical to the previous Mac, differing primarily in the amount of built-in memory , which quadrupled...
and Macintosh Plus
Macintosh Plus
The Macintosh Plus computer was the third model in the Macintosh line, introduced on January 16, 1986, two years after the original Macintosh and a little more than a year after the Macintosh 512K, with a price tag of US$2599...
) were becoming obsolete, and Ihnatko considered that turning one into an aquarium might be "the final upgrade" — as well as an affordable way to have a colour Compact Mac. He has mentioned in interviews that he had seen previous, overly-complex attempts at Macintosh aquariums at trade shows
Trade fair
A trade fair is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent market trends and opportunities...
that among other drawbacks suffered from noticeable water level lines across the "screen" that spoiled the illusion of a "really good screensaver", which drove him to design a version without a visible water line and which allowed the external case of the donor Mac to remain intact.
Ihnatko's slant-front tank design, made of glass, had a nominal capacity of approximately 10 litres (2.2 UK gallons or 2.5 US gallons). Some subsequent designs have utilised plexiglass or lexan
Lexan
Lexan is a registered trademark for SABIC Innovative Plastics' brand of polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. Polycarbonate polymer is produced by reacting bisphenol A with carbonyl dichloride, also known as phosgene. Lexan is the brand name for polycarbonate sheet and resin in a wide range of grades...
. Because of its small capacity relative to most other aquariums, the Macquarium is considered a form of pico aquarium, which requires a higher level of diligence to maintain proper water chemistry and cleanliness.
Some of the Macquariums built by others on an individual basis, the versions that Ihnatko refers to as "overly complex", were constructed with parts from two sources located closer to Apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
headquarters a 1 Infinite Loop Drive on De Anza Blvd in Cupertino, CA. Across the street from each other was the Tropical Fish Factory and a retail location for Tap Plastics, a supplier of scrap and custom acrylic plastic. The Tropical Fish Factory was one of Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
's largest aquarium products and live fish retailers. Both businesses are now gone, but their impact on Macquariums will remain. How these Macquariums differed is that the actual Macintosh shell was the aquarium where vent holes and the screen was sealed so that it could hold water.
Macquariums are often stocked with 2-3 goldfish
Goldfish
The goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
which do not require tank heaters and are cheap. But because goldfish grow large, have high oxygen requirements and are messy eaters they require much larger tanks for survival, Siamese Fighting Fish
Siamese fighting fish
The Siamese fighting fish , also known as the betta , is a popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. The name of the genus is derived from ikan bettah, taken from a local dialect of Malay...
and small shrimp are better options.
Other Mac models have similarly been made into aquariums such as the Macintosh TV
Macintosh TV
The Macintosh TV was Apple's first attempt at computer-television integration. It shared the external appearance of the Macintosh LC 500 series, but in black. The Macintosh TV was essentially a Performa 520 that could switch its built-in 14" Sony Trinitron CRT from being a computer display to a...
, the Apple Lisa
Apple Lisa
The Apple Lisa—also known as the Lisa—is a :personal computer designed by Apple Computer, Inc. during the early 1980s....
and the Power Mac G4 Cube
Power Mac G4 Cube
The Power Mac G4 Cube was a small form factor Macintosh personal computer from Apple Inc. It was sold from 2000 to 2001. Its cube shape is reminiscent of the NeXTcube from NeXT, acquired by Apple in 1996. The machine was designed by Apple industrial designer Jonathan Ive...
. Various iMac
IMac
The iMac is a range of all-in-one Macintosh desktop computers built by Apple. It has been the primary part of Apple's consumer desktop offerings since its introduction in 1998, and has evolved through five distinct forms....
models have been used to make "iMacquariums". By 1995, a Macquarium based on a Mac LC
Macintosh LC
The Macintosh LC was Apple Computer's product family of low-end consumer Macintosh personal computers in the early 1990s. The original Macintosh LC was released in 1990 and was the first affordable color-capable Macintosh. Due to its affordability and Apple II compatibility the LC was adopted...
575 appeared in a Macintosh magazine titled "Macquarium '95".
The term "Macquarium" as it refers to the Macintosh-based aquarium is unrelated to the Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, user experience firm Macquarium Intelligent Communications.
External links
- iMacquariums built out of G3 iMacs
- Guide to MacQuarium construction, setup, and upkeep
- Macquarium construction diary with photos and tips
- ColorClassic Forever Macquarium
- Andy Ihnatko's original instructions for a Classic form Mac:
- Fans' successful Macquaria as well as novel variations:
- Step by step Mac Classic and SE guide
- iMacquarium and Clock Radio iMacquarium construction tips