Well it seems that Brookstone has now become a petshop! They are selling the Frog-O-Sphere Ecosystem with Aquatic Frogs which is a self containing eco system that comes with two mini frogs that will live for about 4 years. There is also a snail, a bamboo plant, and living gravel that all join in the effort of converting waste. Everyone plays a part in this ecosystem - the snail is the janitor by feeding on the algae that grows, keeping excess amounts of food buildup in control. The gravel works as a sanitation system and converts waste into food for the bamboo plant. The bamboo plant then absorbs liquids and gases and releases oxygen to the frogs. The Frog-O-Sphere Ecosystem with 2 Aquatic Frogs retails for $39.95 at Brookstone.
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Link Fire: 2nd July 09 - Internet Siao
[...] Frog-o-sphere ecosystem aquarium – Pets that are sealed permanently in an artificial eco-system. All organisms living in this sealed aquarium need each other to survive; put them in proper sunlight and temperature and the frogs can survive up to four years without any hand-feeding. [link] [...]
Frog-O-Sphere Update. « About Kourtnie McKenzie
[...] Okay, so, remember Miracle Frogs and Superman, my work desk Frog-O-Sphere? [...]
Jay
This is straight up animal torture.
Their “ecosystem” is flawed.
This bamboo plant cannot possibly remove enough toxic ammonia out of the water
before it starts to burn the frogs skin.
These frogs require a heated tank, and about 2 gallons per frog.
This “system” is like keeping a greyhound in a studio apartment.
I cannot believe that Brookstone is selling this.
For $40, you could buy 2 frogs and a proper tank, and heater for them.
I guess times are tough, so Brookstone needs to make a profit from
an animal’s suffering.
Makes me sick.
David Frank Magallon
Totally lol’d at Jay. Dude. I had these when I were kids, pretty much the same thing minus the gravel. They lived four years with me feeding them until my betta ate the damned things.
Jake Stone
Jay, get over it… It’s not HOW you sell them, it’s WHO you sell them to. If the owner feels the need to get a larger tank for them, then they will… It’s not yours or PETA’s job to judge the fate of these animals… Stop trying to be God… And, get a life
CD
Completely cruel and unnecessary.
Pink Sugar
It’s not yours or PETA’s job to judge the fate of these animals… Stop trying to be God…
Who’s playing god, the people trying to save the animal’s life or the ones sticking them into tiny boxes? I guess god runs an animal supply house, now.
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[...] those adults out there looking for a similar habitat, without the Star Wars theme, check out the Frog-O-Sphere. Share this on del.icio.usDigg this!Buzz up!Stumble upon something good? Share it on [...]
Luke Williams
I often find it quite funny when people claim that their frogs or fish ‘lived’ for an X number of years, they obviously don’t know the difference between ‘living’ and ‘thriving’. How you sell an animal is just as important as who you sell them to, as not everyone will be so willing to fork out a small sum to look after the animals properly. Ask any experienced fishkeeper and they too would gladly label these containers ‘death-traps’. Aquatic organisms including frogs are not disposable gimmicks, and most people who buy these things will probably loose interest within a few weeks.
People should start reading their dictionaries more, one word and a phrase to look up include ‘responsibility’ and ‘common-sense’.
P.S I’m not linked with PETA, the ALF or any other extremist animal-rights group.
The MediaBlog
Newsflash to Jay… They’re frogs.
Luke Williams
Newsflash to The MediaBlog, they’re also living animals, think about that. It’s clear and simple, these items should not be on sale but unfortunately too many people overlook basic science in favour of a cheap gimmick.
Nicole
Dwarf frogs are a great pet for someone who wants something low-maintenance, but a little different. In my case, I have two frogs (as well as a betta in a separate tank) because I live in an apartment that doesn’t allow anything with fur.
However, I would NOT purchase the Frog-O-Sphere, and the instructions for care that they give customers are extremely inadequate.
–The tank is way too small. The general rule of thumb with water animals is that you need at least a gallon of water for every inch of fully grown fish/frog/etc. I keep my two frogs in a three-gallon tank.
–Nowhere for the frogs to hide/play. They can be shy little things and they like to have a cave to go in or rocks to hide under. I got an aquarium decoration that looks like a bridge, and mine like to hang out under that.
–While they don’t need to be fed large amounts every day (they have small stomachs), feeding them twice a week is inadequate. I typically feed mine a piece of food in the morning and a piece at night to space it out, with a couple of “off days” here and there. If they act like they need more, I give them more….you can tell if they are very hungry because they will go still for large periods of time to conserve energy.
–Changing the water twice a year is also inadequate. That plant cannot possibly remove the waste of three animals from that water quickly enough. I change the water in my tank every week.
–Also, this is the LEAST of my concerns about this product, but it’s way too expensive. I bought my frogs for $2.99 each, the tank for $12, a canister of food for $2.99, water conditioner for $1.99 and their bridge for $5. That comes to $28. The ‘Sphere costs $39. Fail.
katie
Jeeez people! don’t you think they had scientists do tests and studies to see if it would be a complete, self- containing, SAFE ecosystem? These people aren’t idiots if they say the frogs are safe then I bet they are. All this “cruelty to animals” nonsense is stupid. the frogs have plenty of room! They aren’t like dogs or humans they don’t need much space. They are FINE!
Luke Allsop
To Katie,
There is no scientific evidence to say that these are suitable habitats, and no self-respecting scientist or biologist would even consider it to be ’suitable’. However there IS science and un-biased proof to say that these are completely unsuitable. These things aren’t designed in a laboratory, they’re concocted on a piece of paper on someone’s desk.
African Dwarf frogs come from an environment that is indescribably bigger than these death-traps. Specifically it goes by the name of the Congo river basin. Read a dictionary and compare the differences between living and thriving.
Frogs are extremely delicate animals and can quite easily die due to the effects of high levels of ammonia and nitrite which are produced from the frog’s waste.
If you would like to argue this then be warned that I am a highly experienced aquarist with certificates in marine biology. I would also like to reiterate that I have absolutely no link whatsoever with any extremist animal-rights group.
madeline
jays a fag…fuck off
Luke Allsop
To Madeline: Well that proves one thing, amateur idiots like yourself will never dominate the earth and the intelligent people will prevail. Still nothing like a healthy debate involving the exchange of unmentionable words…
bailey
I’m kind of on both sides first of all some people would like it if they can never remember to feed their pets ,or clean the tank.but what if u let them go in a creek? on the other side how would they feel about being shipped on at truck or a plane i mean no mater how they are sent the water will be sloshed around every where .i would think that when brook stone receives them most of them would be dead because they got frightened or petrified , which is very easy for a small animal.
bailey
another thing is when i went to brook-stone the creator of this ,all the employees kind of gathered together and talked about it at the same time looking guilty like they just killed something.
J Larson
I own one, and I am not an idiot, thanks. I had an Aquababies fish aquarium several years ago where the fish survived for 2 years and the one snail outlived them all. Everything dies at some point, but I thought we took decent care of them. My family always had dogs and cats, never aquarium animals, so this was good starter thing for us. I now have a frog-o-sphere and my snails (first one, then two free replacements) have all died, and I am beginning to believe I shoould change some things.
So my question is, for those in the know (ahem, marine biologists…) If I want to put my frogs in a bigger aquarium, how I do begin? What about the “living gravel”? Is that just a bunch of crap? Do I need to transfer it over as well as the frogs? Am I going to have to fool around with some complicated filter (one of the reasons I got the frog-o-sphere in the first place – no filter) that will inevitably suck up my tiny frogs and murder them? I’ve been keeping their water clear in the five months I’ve had them, and when alive the snails seem to have been doing a great job of cleaning the walls etc. What type of snail should I replace my dead ones with? No one seems to know what type Brookstone hands out are, but I’ve heard that gold snails work well…
Luke Allsop
To J Larson:
First of all, most aquarium fish should live for at least 4-5 years, and remember the difference I pointed out between ‘living’ and ‘thriving’, that is quite a considerable difference. You can’t put human values on aquatic organisms so you can make sure that they are ‘happy’, that would simply be laughable.
There is plenty of fishkeeping information on the internet from reputable sources, it isn’t that hard to seek out provided you look around. Little gadgets such as ‘living gravel’ are a waste of money, however certain things such as a filter aren’t and considering that you can buy small, air-powered sponge filters which would be perfect for these frogs, there is no excuse for not adding one. You will also need a heater, two buckets, dechlorinator, a gravel siphon and a net. This equipment won’t cost the earth.
Also the clarity of the water is no indication of the water quality. Harmful waste substances (i.e ammonia) that are produced from decomposing food and fish/frog waste are invisible when dissolved in water, so while the tank may look clean, the water may well be a toxic soup. That is where the aforementioned test kit comes into play.
Stephanie
Well I recently purchased a frog-o-sphere and no matter what you may disagree with I am a HUGE animal lover and consider myself to be sort of an activist. While I did find it to be cruel that the frogs were shipped in the mail, I believe that I saved the frogs by purchasing them because I keep up with them everyday and they bring me so much happiness when they swim around.If I wouldnt hvae purchase them, then someone else who might not even care or remember about them might have killed them instead. I take excellent care of them and they are my new little babies(Cosmo, Wanda and Gary the snail). I was just wondering where you heard that there is ammonia in the spring water that burns the frogs skin? If this was the case wouldnt they constantly be trying to jump out of it, which mine certainly do not do. Also any extra BENEFICIAL tips on keeping my new frogs happier and healthier? Thanks ♥
Luke Allsop
To Stephanie: You will find no ammonia in spring or bottled water, unless the source was polluted. The ammonia is produced as part of the nitrogen cycle when waste from the frogs and uneaten food decomposes. It doesn’t necessarily ‘burn’ the skin, it does instead irritate the lungs, leading to a condition called lung hyperplasia.