The Tropical aquarium is a premium LEGO® set, which at first glance seeks to tie the neat parts usage that characterises the Botanicals range, with the less official ‘Life Size Objects’ sub-theme that we have seen in recent years across LEGO ICONS and IDEAS. This represents a landmark in LEGO Set marketing: to date, it is the most expensive set released that does not tie in with any preexisting external intellectual property. I also recognise that if you are considering whether or not you are going to spend $AUD699.99/USD379.99/ €449.99 / £399.99, you probably want to be pretty sure that this is a set for you. The set represents a significant multifactorial investment – in monetary terms, display space and the time taken to assemble. I am grateful that the LEGO Group sent a copy of this set over for review: all my opinions are my own, as much as can be possible.

In this first part of a multi-post review, I will look at the set itself, including the building experience.

In our next installment, I’ll show you some of the things that I learned from building the set. In part three, we will consider some ways you mightchoose to customise the display. In our final part, we will examine whether or not there is actual value for money in the set.

The box.

This is a big box.

A Big Black box, which contrasts well with brightly coloured model inside. The model is front and centre, while the rear of the box gives us the general dimensions of the model, and demonstrates some of the play features. The box highlights the use of the build app on the base of the box.

Spoiler: while the box (dimensions: 52cm width x 48cm high x 22cm deep=54.9l ) has a greater volume than the final model (52cm w x 36cm h x 28 cm d =52l) I am disappointed to report that the final model is unable to fit back in the box without significant disassembly. In recent years, many ICONS sets are able to be returned to the box with minimal disassembly. This disappoints me because, due to the size of the model, I would like to have the option to easily move it off display from time to time, and easy to store.

The Manual

The set’s manual comes inside the sealed paper envelope. I was surprised to see there is only one manual included. The press release highlights the ability to use the LEGO Build app to assemble the model, and as such, I expected that there might be a couple of manuals, allowing us to build together. At the moment, however, it is just one big book.

There are thoughts and comments from the design team scattered throughout the book, not just in the first few pages. Included is a commentary on some of the neat parts usage/ recoloured elements used, as well as an explanation of the designs of the fish.

The Elements and Build

The box contains over 40 paper bags of elements, as well as a couple of polythene bags – these soft plastic bags contain a range of the larger elements (16×16; 8×16 plates; BURPs, and weird shapes including Ninjago energy bursts in pale yellow.

The Knoller-in-Chief has painstakingly worked through the set, presenting these 4154 pieces (plus overdose): Let’s take a closer look. Some of the larger elements might appear on trays out of sequence…

It’s all about the base

As the build starts with the base of the tank, it should come as little surprise that the first collection of bags included lots of generic-coloured bricks and plates. The base consists of a framework supporting eight tan 16×16 plates. There is also a selection of dark tan tiles, plates and slopes, as well as a collection of interesting shapes in tan. With such a collection of quarter-circle curved slopes, I started to wonder whether or not I could put together the Creator 3-in-1 Cute Bunny using parts available. Given the absence of ball joint elements, I decided not to proceed. As we fill up the floor, there are also a number of turntables, which we shall discuss shortly.

Sandscaping and terraforming

More dark tan wedges and light grey slopes and arches fill in the next few bags, and will build up the cave. We do get a nougat/medium nougat respite along the way, which will build up the crab. Many of the other elements in these bags will build up the cave. From there we move onto the treasure chest, complete with a bottle, and sunken gold.

Setting the Scene

We move on to construct the tank’s rear wall. Sixteen medium azure 8×16 plates are mounted on a framework here, before being attached onto the rear of the base with a combination of clips and studs.. Curved tiles or various forms provide an illusion of motion in the water. Transparent round tiles, and minifigure heads serve as bubbles.

At this stage, we are already a little past the halfway point in construction.

Time for plants, coral and anemones

I will spend a little more time in the next article looking at the construction of the plants and anemones, but take a moment to admire the wide variety of elements used for this part of the build.

The nine smaller gears, with the reddish orange macaroni elements do some of the work here. A branched coral is built out of pale nougat round bricks with branched vine elements. A mixture of earth green and transparent green leaves make up some waterweek, along axles and windlass elements. We also come across medium lavender and transparent opalescent violet tail elements, as well as lamp elements that serve to fill in the ends.

We finally find the crazy recolours used for the corals and anemones: medium lilac chef’s hats, spring yellowish-green pith helmets, reddish orange coral elements, with bright orange crowns, as well as a broad array of small curved slopes in purples and yellow/oranges. And, are they mop heads in sand green?

We see more neat recolours in pale nougat (clips with bars), as well as the round plate with rail, rolling out in tan for the first time.

Something Fishy

There are three fish to be built in this set, and each of them is more of a fantasy variation on actual fish. That said, realistic fish forms are hard to create. The team even created a new fin mould which we shall look at a little closer later on. Let’s look a little closer at our fish.

First, we have a couple of fish that are derived from Angel Fish. Facing in opposite directions, these fish use quite different approaches to construction to achieve forms that are similar, yet different. The first is predominantly blue and flame yellowish orange, while the other uses colours from red through to cool yellow, via several orange shades. The new fin element can be seen hugging the curve of a 1x3x1 curved slope, while a cluster of three of these elements can be stacked in a way that they follow the shape of the next quite nicely. The blue/orange fish also uses this fin element to the sides, while the red/yellow uses 2×3 wege slopes for the stabilising fins.

The next fish is not a clown fish. It’s too big, and perhaps not quite the right colours. This fish is articulated in the middle of the body, allowing it to swish through the water, while the tale can also sway from side to side. As you can see, the tail here uses 4 of the fin elements stacked above one another. Two red construction figure shoulder pauldrons serve as stabilising fins, with some transparent fin elements tucked in behind them. This fish can sit on top of the oscillating pole in the centre of the aquarium, allowing it to swim along.

Finally, we have a fish based on a rainbow fish. This fish is relatively tiny compared to the others. I love the way that the colours are staggered along the body. The dorsal fin attaches using a plate with clip, while the ventral fin attaches using a clip on a bar, tucked into the fish’ core.

One thing that continues to disappoint me, is the way dark colours show up through the 1×2 and 2×2 2/3 curved slope elements. Sometimes it might look more like the fish has scales, but more often, I feel it just looks sloppy.

The smaller fish all have a couple of holes, able to accept a 2.8mm bar, to allow them to be held inplace around the model. You can see them here…

Framing it up, and filling it in

The last few bags are primarily dedicated to the outline of the tank, along with one last fish and some weeds. Let’s also take a moment to appreciate how the energy blasts from Ninjago are almost perfectly designed to be transformed into coral growths as well.

Finally

The final result looks something like this. The tank is around 52l in volume, with a foot print of 52cm (w)x 28 cm(d) , and extending up 36cm (h). The model itself is quite sturdy, and I have not been worried that the model might just crumble in my hands, as I move it around the room.

The Fish are all minding there own business, cruising between the colourful corals and anemones. It is, overall, extremely colourful. Which made me ask the question…

How many colours are represented in this set, anyway?

According to Brickset’s database, there are 69 colours in current production, including new versions of White, Cool yellow and Earth Blue. I could identify 45 colours in the model. Do you think I missed any?

Dare I list them all? Of course I shall (in no particular order):

• White, Black, Medium Stone Grey, Dark stone Grey, Transparent Clear, Transparent Black, White Glow
• Aqua, (dark) Green, Bright Green, Earth Green, Olive Green, Sand Green, Spring yellowish green, Transparent Green, Transparent Bright Green
• Brick Yellow (tan), Sand Yellow (Dark Tan), Cool Yellow, Bright Yellow,
• Flame Yellowish Orange, Bright orange, Reddish orange, bright red, Dark red, Transparent Bright orange
• Bright blue, Bright Bluish Green (teal), Earth Blue, Dark Azur, Medium Azur, Light Royal Blue
• Bright Purple, light purple, Bright reddish Violet, lavender, Medium Lavender, Medium Lilac, Transparent Medium Violet with opalescence
• Reddish Brown, Dark Orange, Light Nougat, Medium Nougat, Nougat,
• Gold Ink

There were a few colours I expected to see included in this set, but were not, including including Bright Yellowish (Lime) Green and sand blue. Somewhat ironically, the most fluorescent ‘corally colours’, vibrant yellow and (somewhat ironically) vibrant coral, were missing completely. There were other opalescent shades omitted (and glitter finishes were virtually absent)

Action Features

The model has four specific action features, bringing the aquarium to life.

• The Orange Anemone ‘tentacles’ swirling back and forth.
• The Swimming Fish
• the bubbling Treasure Chest
• The crab, emerging from its cave and retreating

Rearranging the tank.

Something I am grateful for with this set is the ease of rearranging most of the corals. They are typically attached to axle holes, either by axles, connectors, or a snug fitting bar connection. This makes it easy to rearrange the the aquarium, without significant effort.

There is no need to leave the modularity at this level:

On LEGO.com’s feature page for the set, designer Sven Franic presents some alternate approaches to customise the set for display, substituting whips, carrots, whips and pumpkins into the build. Chances are, if you are going to get these elements in industrial quantities, you might need to visit LEGO’s Pick a Brick site. Unfortunately, the circular ring is not (at the time of writing) available on PAB – but you might choose to use the parabolic ring instead.

A new element

The set comes with a new element mould – lets call it a ‘fin’ in search of a better name. This element a total of 30 times, in 5 different times. In its debut appearance, the element appears in cool (bright light) yellow, reddish orange, aqua, transparent clear and transparent green.

This fin is one module wide at the tick end and features a bar connection. It tapers at 90º to the bar, and forms a sloping, oblique triangle.

The fin element 3 1/2 plates high at the thinned end. When this edge is vertical, the top corner is one plate above the bar connection, and the lower corner is a little over 2 plates below the bar. In this position, the fin extends 3 modules beyond the clip to which it is attached.

Disappointments

I feel this set provides a sturdy tank, with some bright corals, and encompasses some neat ‘action/play features.’

However, the $AUD699.99/USD479.99 pricetag sees this set placed firmly in the premium price bracket. It is the most expensive LEGO construction set that does not tie in with a a third party intellectual propoerty. Unlike Rivendell or the new Death Star, there are no highly desirable minifigures to tempt the slightest skeptic towards it. I don’t want to discuss the price any further today because, while it might not feel like it is worth this price at first look, it might represent reasonable value for money for what is included, when you sit down to price it out. I need to create some spreadsheets. Hang in there, this might take a week or two….

Beyond this, there are a few negative points that I encountered along the way. Some of my complaints are trivial, others fall into the ‘it should be better’ category.

These should be a better:

• As I mentioned earlier, small bows in colours such as white, bright yellowish orange and yellow seem to be a little too thin as they pass over a stud – and we see a few examples where the studs underneath the curved bow are visible as a dark shadow. This has been an ongoing issuse for several years now. We have seen the, addressed , to some extent with the introduction of White V3

• I found the mechanism for the hermit crab’s slide in and out of the cave to be prone to breakage, during my first couple of days of ‘play’: The mechanism is dependent on multiple aligned handles attached to modified plates, running through a ‘brick with channel’, similar to the version below. Unfortunately, I have had occasions where some of the plates with handles detach from the back of the slider – resulting in the crab failing to slide. The fact that this happened several times was more than a little frustrating, as it continued to happen once the model was complete, and the parts became difficult to access. A screwdriver and a pair of needle-nose pliers became my best friends for extracting dislodged elements. After my third rebuild of this mechanism, it appears to have been a bit more reliable. Or perhaps I have just been asking too much of it?

• While the pale nougat coloured branching coral looks terrific, it is relatively fragile, and set up in the part of the model model likely to suffer the occasional lost piece (see above), resulting in additional damage from time to time.

• I feel a filter is required to make this truly feel like a fish tank, rather than a framed undersea diorama. I was somewhat disappointed to hear this would be a Gift With Purchase during the week of release. I feel this should have been included in the base model. An alternative GWP could have included parts for an alternate coral, but making a GWP a necessary part of the model seems like an unneccesarily cynical move on the part of the marketers

The ‘more trivial’ issues:

• I am disappointed to report that the final model is unable to fit back in the box without significant disassembly. The box (dimensions: 52cm width x 48cm high x 22cm deep=5.49l ) has a greater volume than the final model (52cm w x 36cm h x 28 cm d =5.2l), however the box is not deep enough accomodate the finished model without significant disassembly.This has been an option with many sets in recent years, and it makes me sad, becauseI would love to be able to store the model, dust free from time to time.

• For me (not a keeper of tropical fish, and not even a student of them), I quite like the overall aesthetic of the tank, but there is probably a degree of fantasy applied to the model itself – “That we want to imaging a fishtank to look like’ rather than an exact model. The fish are also not without fault here. although I am happy to think that we get two angel fish, and a rainbow fish included in this set.
  

Overall

For the moment, I don’t want to discuss the pricing of the set (although you cannot do this if you are considering purchasing it). Otherwise, overall the positives outnumbered the negative points. There are some interesting techniques demonstrated, including some repeated geometry lessons. The colours are bright, and give a good impression of coral and anemones, although purists might be disappointed by the ‘fantasy style’ of some of the corals and fish.

There is plenty of inspiration to be taken by looking through the instruction manual when it becomes available online, after the set’s release in the middle of November. I’ll present several of these in the next part of my review.

The action features bring an engaging level of interactivity to the model, even if I was troubled by the crab’s sliding mechanism for a while. After a reconstruction, ensuring everything was firmly attached, it would appear to be more reliable for the time being. I have some plans afoot. I’ll let you know in the next part of the review about how it stands up.

The build was quite enjoyable, with plenty of opportunities to get lost in a repetitive flow for a period. This could be as long as you wanted: either a few minutes, or a couple of hours.

The final result is colourful and eye catching, and the mechanisms provide for a pleasing diversion. If the final composition of the model is not to your liking, there are plenty of options for rearranging it, or even adding additional features.

I continue to be bothered by the ‘bleed though’ of dark shades that we see with the lighter shades of nx2x2/3 curved slopes on the bodies of the fish. I thought this was on the verge of being fixed with a new mold earlier in the year. I would appear to be wrong.

For me, the tank metaphor works well, with the sturdy outline making a bold statement. But is it necessary? And are there other ways that you might modify this set to use as a display piece: I have a few ideas in mind, which might take us back in time. Stay tuned for that in part three of this review.

Today, I feel this set is too expensive. But I feel that I do need time to look at this aspect more closely: is it priced about right for what is included? Is the set just bigger than it needs to be? Repetitive builds use up a lot of elements, very quickly. Even more so in large models.

Ultimately, for all the good things about this set, I am hard-pressed to recommend it at full retail price, unless it is absolutely going to fill a LEGO aquarium-shaped hole in your soul. And it may well do that for someone. For everyone else, I would wait for the inevitable discount, unless you can’t wait to try some things out with it…

As for me? Would I pay retail for this set? No. Will I keep it on display in my house for years? No. A few months? Possibly. Do I have some plans to customise this model, making it more appealing for my personal space? Absolutely, and I hope you won’t have to wait long to see them.

Join us for part two, very soon, when we shall look at some of my favorite building lessons from the set. In part three, we shall look at some ways to customise the way this set looks. In the final part, we shall look at just why this set costs so much, and examine whether or not it represents value for money, for what it is.

In the mean time, I’d love to know your thoughts. This is an expensive set, and also a large model. What do you think of it? Is it the sort of model you would keep in your living room or office? Leave your comments below?

The 10366 Tropical Aquarium has 4154 pieces and will retail for $AUD699.99/USD379.99/ €449.99 / £399.99. If I feel skeptical about the Australian pricing, I should feel more so with regard to the international pricing: the Euro price translates to $AUD804, while the UK Price translates to $AUD823. I plan to examine this a little more closely in the final part of this review.

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Until Next Time,

Play Well!