Update: March 9, 2007 at 11:12AM EST
Thanks to a mention in the WSJ Weekend Journal (page W5), we are currently sold out of the Aquapict. We do expect restock in 1-2 weeks and backorders will be filled once the Aquapict is restocked. Thanks for reading. Please note: The Aquapict is a Japanese product and the included instructions are in Japanese. The diagrams in the instructions are however easy to follow and the set-up procedure is straight-forward.

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Banpresto's Aquapict product features three silicone jellyfish which gracefully flutter inside an illuminated tank. With bulbous bodies and lazy trailing tendrils, the animals swim around in lackadaisical fashion. In the normal operation mode, four colored LEDs in blue, green, purple, and yellow may be selected to change the hue and possibly the mood of the viewer. A deep-sea mode switches the color to a dark blue tint which may serve to relax a twitchy individual.

   The water currents in the Aquapict tank cause the jellyfish to move in somewhat predictable patterns. For example, if a jellyfish rises to the top-middle portion of the tank, it'll zoom towards the right and then drift slowly downwards. From there, it may meander along the bottom and then drift around on the left side of the tank. In a darkened room, the movements of the jellyfish are rather mesmerizing and it's possible that someone can sit and stare at the Aquapict for hours on end. The measurements for this item are: 27 cm x 21 cm x 12 cm. That's 10.62 x 8.26 x 4.72" for us Yanks.

   The Aquapict gets its power from an internal adapter that is plugged into an electrical outlet rated at 100V~120V. If you reside in Europe, please make sure that you're using a 240V to 120V stepdown transformer before plugging the Aquapict in. If you neglect that step, the jellyfish may find themselves fried. 

Simple English Instructions
Since the Aquapict only includes Japanese instructions, here are some quick English directions.

1) Fill the tank up with water to the level indicated by the line on the tank
2) Remove the silicone jellyfish from the container and soak them in water for about 30 minutes
3) Pour the jellyfish into the tank. It is important that you do not touch the jellyfish
4) Place the hood on top of the tank
5) Plug in the AC adapter

To ensure that there are water currents inside the tank, you have to make sure that the water level reaches the line indicated on the tank. Do not underfill or overfill.

Inside the Box
» Aquapict Hood with built-in lights and dual powerheads
» Aquapict Tank which holds 1.5L of water
» Mirrored tank bottom for a reflective experience
» Black background placard which attaches to the tank
» Paddle to swish around the jellyfish if they get stuck to the sides
» Three silicone jellyfish
» Four sheets of instructions (in Japanese)
» AC Adapter 100V/50-60Hz at 5.4VA 400mA
» Instructional DVD which shows the set-up procedure
 

   This document is ©NCSX 2006. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.