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Category: Entertainment
Developer: raiX UG
Requirements: iPhone OS 3.0 or later
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod touch
File Size: 14.4MB

What is it?

MyReef 3D Aquarium is a virtual saltwater aquarium for your iPhone and iPod touch. You know how you’re always looking at that big aquarium at the dentist’s office and thinking, “Dude, maybe I should get one of those for my van,” but then you realize you’d have to clean it, and thus go back to reading Highlights? Well, now you can have that aquarium in your pocket.

How does it work?

Upon launching MyReef 3D Aquarium, you’re presented with the default set-up. You’re invited to tap the screen to open the menu, which brings up six icons: two camera control icons, a “tap the glass” icon, feeding, lighting, and setup. Setup is where you select the type of and how many fish you’ll be putting in your aquarium. You can choose from 14 types], with the number of each allowed varying depending upon the fish. The options are all fairly similar; for example, no snails or plecos. Rather, expect a bunch of similarly shaped shades of blue, orange and yellow.

You can also customize the background and bottom of your aquarium, choosing from the few options included. Where the customization really shines, however, is in its ability to place items within your tank. You can place up to eight decorative items by dragging them around your aquarium with your finger. It’s well implemented and easy to control, although the placement screen is quite small. Again, your choices are somewhat limited, but I imagine more could be added with updates or via in-app purchases.

Once you’ve got your aquarium set up, you can…watch it? That’s kind of it, but at least there are options. You can set the camera to follow a particular fish, to automatically pan around the aquarium, or to simply remain fixed on the whole thing. You can also tap the glass to watch the fish scurry or feed them to watch them congregate, but all interactivity ends there. So, MyReef 3D Aquarium is more about just looking at it and listening. The audio (bubbles) is quite relaxing, although you will quickly discover the loop; if you can’t push that behind you, it can become annoying. Visually, MyReef 3D Aquarium is a thing of beauty. The lighting effects are quite nice, and I like the ability to turn off the lights, which basically just throws a blue filter over everything. The fish and items can seem disjointed from the background, but that’s hard to discern unless you’re zoomed in (done via the typical pinch/swipe controls).

Features

• 14 fish options, as well as multiple backgrounds and items.
• Drag and drop simplicity for customizing your tank.
• Fantastic lighting effects and visuals.
• iTunes library integration.

App it Up, Sum it Up

MyReef 3D Aquarium is very well done, but ultimately, it’s just a fake aquarium. No amount of visual wizardry or pseudo interactivity can cover up for the fact that its basic function is to have you just stare at your phone. I imagine if you wanted to leave this running all night, it could prove quite relaxing. However, that are better apps for that which offer more audio/control features, such as the ability to display in portrait mode so you can store your iPhone in the dock. The gorgeous visuals are fun to show off, but it’s just ultimately not all that useful.

Cost - $2.99 (A free lite version is available.)
Worth the Money? - How badly do you want to look at fake fish?
Availability - Now, in the iTunes App Store.