Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Before I share my opinion of this product, I would like to comment on many of the low-star reviews and also provide you with some extra information. The most important concept you have to understand is this "toy" is ALIVE, and life can be finicky sometimes. These brilliant little eukaryotes originate from large bodies of salt water (other species of dinoflagellate are able to live in fresh water, but that's just a nifty fact), therefor they are not exposed to quick changes in temperature or salinity. However in a small habitat like the glass sphere, or the pouch they initially arrive in, the temperature can dramatically change within a short period of time. So if you let the delivery sit on your front door for a couple days, or your apartment has no AC during the summer, you can expect these little guys might die. The same goes with cold weather as well. So make sure you provide these guys the right temperature to live in. I don't think I have to go over trying to fill the rest of the sphere up with aquarium salt water, then giving it a 1 star review because they died in a week. But just in case.. yeah... don't do that... the difference in salinity and pH will kill them. Let's discuss sunlight too. Not only do they need it to live, but it is required by this species to produce the mesmerizing blue light. These guys use sunlight for ATP synthesis, which is used as an energy storage system of sorts, and drives the light emission you see at night. So they need enough of a "recharge" during the day, therefor provide them with the right amount of sunlight! If you store them in a room with no windows, they won't get enough. Also, even though they are alive when you receive them you will not see light until they go through a couple day-night cycles. Don't panic, wait a couple days and you will see it! Make sure they are in the dark at night too, not by a lamp or anything. The light they emit is a beautiful light blue with a hint of green... it really is mesmerizing to watch. It is worth noting that you should disturb them at least once during the day to ensure all plankton get enough sunlight! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW... it is NOT like a lightbulb. The light emision only lasts a second or two, and under continuous moving or swirling the light will ONLY LAST A MINUTE or so. The plankton are TINY, you can't expect them to hold enough energy to produce light all night long. So don't read any of the bad reviews that talk about how "dumb" or disappointing the whole thing is... So my opinion? I love it. Really is an awesome concept, I have one on my desk at home. I've had the sphere for almost a month now and the light it produces has continued to grow more intense as more of the little plankton are made. Feeding is easy, just use the little bottle it comes with every week or so (if you want constant growth feed it weekly, but I've heard from people who feed them every other week or even up to once a month) and they will continue to emit light. As I've said above, don't expect light on the first night, and don't expect a magical light bulb. Also, YOU ONLY RECEIVE THE GLASS SPHERE IF PURCHASED ON AMAZON, it states so in the description. You get a code to type in on their website and they will send you the dinoflagellates. I liked this thing so much that I got the dinosaur for my buddy's birthday, but I purchased it on their website this time to have all the materials sent at the same time. The only issue I have with this product is the food you need to give them is kind of expensive, especially if you feed them weekly. Once again, you can look at the price of the food BEFORE BUYING to see if you are okay with it. It shouldn't be such a shocker when you go to buy more food. Still 5/5 stars, 3 thumbs up, 110%/90%, I recommend it highly! I also recommend that you purchase it from their website instead (sorry amazon) so you won't have to deal with the whole code thing, but also because they have A LOT more information on the species and how to maintain them.