Forget Roku City, I’m Using This Classic Aquarium Screensaver Instead
Roku City has been my home for several years now. Every time my TV goes into screensaver mode, I see the multi-building landscape with various billboards announcing new releases and content.
However, even though this is a very nice and detailed screensaver, I think it’s time for a change of scenery, so I’m switching to the aquarium-themed version. Here’s why I’m packing my bags and moving from the cityscape to the underwater view.
Bring back the nostalgia
If you had a computer in the late 1990s or early 2000s, your screen saver was probably set to “Marine Aquarium” or a similar title. Personally, I regularly alternated between that one and the bubbles which multiplied on the screen.
It was a relaxing visual, with fish swimming around an aquarium, bubble animations, corals, and simultaneous water effects. It reminded me of when I was younger and sat in my doctor’s or dentist’s waiting room, just watching the fish swim.
What makes this screensaver so magical is its realism. The entire display is three-dimensional and includes a variety of fish types, making you believe you’re watching a real aquarium in action.
Marine Aquarium was not the first aquatic-themed screensaver available on Windows computers. Another, “Underwater,” featured fish swimming around coral with a black background behind them.
It was basic and nothing spectacular, but it was introduced on Windows 95 Plus! Pack for Kids then extended to all versions of Windows 98.
Jim Sachs, the creator of the Marine Aquarium screensaver, created the one we still love today in response to the Underwater screensaver. He found the old one too basic and decided to change it.
“Microsoft offered an aquarium with Windows, where it was just bitmaps, a picture of a fish sliding across the screen, and they kept it for three or four years,” Sachs said in an interview. “And I was like, ‘Okay, I’ve given them enough time, I’m taking them to market. I’m going to do something that’s just going to blow this thing up.'”
When it was released in 2000, it became very popular due to its striking realism, and that’s no coincidence. When creating it, Sachs visited aquarium stores to photograph real fish and corals, then used C++ and DirectX to bring those visuals to life.
Over the years, Sachs has updated the screensaver, repeatedly releasing new versions. Shortly after its release, Microsoft adopted it and included it in its Windows XP Plus package, naming the screensaver “Plus!” Aquarium.”
Even though this screensaver is over 20 years old, it is still updated today. It can even be used on Roku, iOS, and Android devices, a testament to its enduring popularity.
In 2017, Roku partnered with SereneScreen to make it the default screensaver exclusively for its 4K streaming devices.
However, even if the screensaver is not preloaded on your Roku, you can still download Aquatic Life from the Roku Streaming Store. It’s not as feature-rich as the fully paid version (you’ll miss some fish species and environmental details), but it still captures the same tranquil vibe that made the original screensaver a fan favorite.
So even though the screensaver is an old concept, it still holds up well on modern screens. Its continued updates and compatibility with current devices prove that its appeal remains strong and that some classics are just too good to pass up.
Get it on your Roku device
Getting and enabling the aquatic screensaver on your Roku device is simple, but you may have to navigate through several menus. However, it will be worth it once you get everything set up.
For my Roku streaming stick, which I got in 2021, I had to go down from the home screen menu until I found Streaming Store, which I selected. From there, I searched the search box and typed or spoke “Aquatic” into the search box.
Once searched, the screen saver appeared on the right side. I selected the “Aquatic Life Screensaver” tile and added it to my list of screensavers.
After importing it to my screensaver list, I went back to the Home screen, found the Settings tab and selected Themes. Inside, you will need to go to the Screensavers option and select “Aquatic Life” as your current screensaver.
Now when my Roku activates the screen saver, it will no longer display Roku City but Aquatic Life. I’ll see fish swimming gracefully while a rock with the word “Roku” engraved on it rests in the background.
If you don’t want to wait for your Roku to go into screensaver mode, you can manually enable Aquatic Life by selecting the Settings option in the Roku Streaming Store. At first I thought it would take me to the Settings section of my Roku, but instead it showed me a preview of the screen saver.
As mentioned earlier, this screensaver is not as feature-rich as the original version of Marine Aquarium, which requires a paid license. Unlike this, the Roku version includes fewer fish on the screen and does not allow background customization.
However, for the average user, this is hardly a problem. It still serves its primary purpose: creating a visually relaxing experience, as every release has done for decades.
Roku City vs. Aquatic Life
It’s not hard to see the marked difference between the two screensavers. Roku City is designed around a dynamic, fast-changing cityscape to keep you entertained and informed. Aquatic Life takes the opposite approach: it’s slow and designed to calm your mind rather than stimulate it.
With Roku City, you’ll see buildings light up, cars go by, boats in the water, and various advertisements for shows, movies, and businesses to discover. There are also Easter eggs scattered throughout the screensaver that reference various films.
On the other hand, Aquatic Life keeps it simple by showing fish, bubble effects and corals on a blue background. No advertising is seen other than the Roku logo on the rock.
The choice between the two screensavers depends on the type of atmosphere you prefer. Roku City is the perfect choice if you value vibrant visuals, hidden Easter eggs, and clever promotions for new content. But if you prefer something serene that doesn’t bombard you with ads or motion, Aquatic Life offers a peaceful, minimalist experience that’s easy on the eyes.
Why aquatic life works in 2025
Screensavers usually come and go in different digital eras. What was popular in the 1990s and 2000s may not be available today, but that’s not always the case.
With more screens than ever presented to the general public, Aquatic Life brings a sense of calm and slows down speed in a fast-paced world. It helps by not being overly stimulating and keeps everything calm by being minimalist.
Additionally, the idea of the screen saver is still relevant today. Even though they debuted in the 2000s, aquariums still exist and are considered calming.
On the other hand, even if the idea wasn’t quite relevant today, retro content from the past is coming full circle and being rediscovered or redeveloped in today’s world. Watch older songs gaining traction on the Billboard Hot 100 or movies and TV shows being rebooted for a new generation.
Aquatic life provides a relatable scene that many people still enjoy today. Younger generations can enjoy the calming nature of the screensaver as the fish swim from side to side, while older generations will feel a sense of nostalgia upon seeing a screensaver that was once so popular.
