Macquarium
An aquarium built inside an Apple Macintosh computer shell.
A Macquarium is an aquarium built inside or from the shell of an Apple Macintosh computer. The term originated as a joke by computer writer Andy Ihnatko about the outdated Macintosh 512K, and Ihnatko and others have since built them. Because its water volume is small compared to most aquariums, the Macquarium is a type of nano aquarium, requiring careful attention to water chemistry and cleanliness.
- Coined by
- Andy Ihnatko
- Original mac model
- Macintosh 512K
- Nominal capacity
- approximately 10 liters (2.2 UK gallons or 2.5 US gallons)
- Typical stock
- 2–3 goldfish (though Siamese fighting fish and small shrimp are better options)
- First guide published
- 1992 (The Original Macquarium)
- Featured on tv
- 1993 (Mac Today, interviewed by Bob LeVitus)
- Updated guide for imac
- 2001
Lore & Background
In the early 1990s, a user wrote into MacUser's help column asking how best to upgrade a Macintosh 512K. Columnist Andy Ihnatko jokingly responded that it should be turned into a fishtank. This resulted in eleven reader letters inquiring how to actually do it, leading Ihnatko to test it for himself. Ihnatko originally designed his Macquarium to use the Compact Macintosh-style shell. In the early 1990s, several Mac models in this form factor (such as 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 color Compact Mac.
Ihnatko has mentioned in interviews that he saw attempts to build 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'. This 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 liters. Some subsequent designs have utilized acrylic glass or lexan. The parts for some of Ihnatko's Macquariums were constructed with parts from two sources located near Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. For these aquariums, Ihnatko used the case of the Macintosh as the tank and sealed the screen and vent holes to be watertight.
Reader's Guide
The Macquarium is notable as a creative reuse of obsolete Macintosh computers, turning them into functional nano aquariums. Ihnatko's 1992 guide, The Original Macquarium, provided instructions on building and maintaining one, and a year later he and his Macquarium were featured on the cable program Mac Today. In 2001, Ihnatko released an updated version of his guide for the iMac, and it was later reported that both Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and talk show host Jay Leno had iMacquariums. Other Mac models have similarly been turned into aquariums, such as the Macintosh TV, the Apple Lisa, and the Power Mac G4 Cube. Various iMac models, such as the iMac G3, have been used to make 'iMacquariums'. By 1995, a Macquarium based on a Macintosh LC 575 appeared in a Macintosh magazine titled 'Macquarium '95'. The design's small capacity makes it a nano aquarium, requiring diligent maintenance. While often stocked with 2–3 goldfish, these fish are not ideal due to their size and waste; Siamese fighting fish and small shrimp are better options for long-term survival.
Did You Know?
- The term 'Macquarium' was coined by computer writer Andy Ihnatko as a joke about the outdated Macintosh 512K.
- Ihnatko's slant-front glass tank design had a nominal capacity of approximately 10 liters (2.5 US gallons).
- In 1993, Ihnatko and his Macquarium were featured on the cable program Mac Today, interviewed by Bob LeVitus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Macquarium?
A Macquarium is a nano aquarium built inside the casing of a vintage Apple Macintosh computer. Rather than using a standard glass or plastic tank, the water and fish live within the hollowed-out shell of the old PC.
Who coined the term Macquarium?
Computer writer Andy Ihnatko invented the name as a lighthearted jab at the aging Macintosh 512K. He and a handful of others later took the bit further by actually constructing working fish tanks inside the computer's body.
How many fish can I keep in a Macquarium?
With a water volume of only around ten litres, two to three small goldfish are about the maximum the tank can support, though a single Siamese fighting fish or a few small shrimp are generally safer options. The tiny volume means water chemistry can swing quickly, so close monitoring of parameters and regular cleaning are essential.
What is the approximate capacity of a Macquarium?
A typical Macquarium holds roughly ten litres of water, equivalent to about 2.2 UK gallons or 2.5 US gallons. This places it firmly in the nano-aquarium category, well below the volume of a standard community tank.
Where was the Macquarium first shown to a wider audience?
The concept was first laid out in a 1992 guide called The Original Macquarium. It then reached television viewers in 1993 when Andy Ihnatko sat down for an interview with Bob LeVitus on the show Mac Today.
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