ADF's make great aquarium pets, but fish aquariums are not always great for ADF's. We'll give you the info you won't get from aquarium experts, who know tropical fish, but little about these frogs..............

Friday, July 25, 2014

Murphy's Law and Aquarium Habitats


Murphy's Law states: "Develop a foolproof system and only a fool will use it", while Aquatic Habitats are far from foolproof, there is commonsense engineering behind them that can make them almost maintenance-free. But there's times that makes us give pause as to how well Ol' Murphy and his laws can be right on the mark.

With anything involving living organisms, there are countless things can happen, all depending on outside influences.

"I was afraid my Frogs were getting too hot, so I placed then in front of the air conditioner... now they just sit there..."   Frogs are amphibian's, meaning they're cold-blooded, they depend on their environment temperature. If the environment is cold, amphibians become cold, and tend to hibernate...or die. African Dwarf Frogs were originally from the rain forests of West Africa, not a place commonly known for Air Conditioning. The Smart Thing: Keep your ADF Habitat within a moderately comfortable temperature of 70 to 80 degrees.

"I didn't think my frog was getting enough air so I took the lid off...now my frog's missing."
Oxygen that live plants produces, and habitat covers allow for plenty of air. A tank cover serves several functions...it keeps the dust and junk out, keeps water from evaporating too quickly...and keeps wayward frogs from exploring too far.


"I didn't use any gravel ...why is my water all cloudy and my frogs dying?" The "Ugly" gravel is the "third leg" of the entire habitats eco-system. The tank gravel becomes infused with beneficial anaerobic bacteria that increases the "filter" capability for a habitat Without it, it's be hard for an external filter to establish a healthy environment.
"I keep my aquarium in sunlight so plants can grow....why is my water green?" You'd think that aquarium plants needs needs lots of sun but that's not always so... most common aquatic plants thrives in indirect sunlight. Most importantly, too much sunlight can trigger an algae bloom, which can really muck things up. Keep your aquatic habitat away from the window sill & it'll do fine.

Happily, most of the problems that may arise can easily be fixed, and while there's always something that may come along that could be a real head-scratcher, with some commonsense, maintaining a happy, healthy habitat can be a snap.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Frogs in Space!

This photo which circulated around the internet last fall of a frog, taking an unexpected flight via a rocket -- may seem unusual. But #rocketfrog, as the little guy has become known, is not the first amphibian to, with the help of some human ingenuity, get a little closer to the final frontier. Nor is it the second. Nor is it the third. NASA and other space agencies, in their zeal to test the effects of microgravity on different organisms, have sent many, many other frogs into space -- not accidentally, as was the case with this launch, but purposely. For science. 
The following is a brief a brief history of frogs in space. Frogonauts, if you will.  READ MORE

Monday, July 21, 2014

Our Frogs don't Dance

OK we admit, our frogs don't dance. They stand up and look at you, & might even take a food pellet from a fingertip, but dance? Nope. That's why we think a dancing dog... a dancing Merengue Dog is pretty neat!

Work Piling Up?

Feel like this huge load of stuff piled up on you over the weekend?

Friday, July 18, 2014

Relax to Frog Sounds

Those of us living in the South sometimes take this stuff for granted. We're sure it's the same elsewhere too. However, the sounds of nature holds a special mesmerizing attraction to everyone, and especially to those too often deprived of it. City dwellers mostly, those who have lived around the sounds of industry & car traffic so much, that when they do come hear nature sounds, it's something totally foreign & exotic. For us "country folk', it can't be the other way around, I doubt I'd ever relax to the sounds of rush hour traffic... just no way! But listening to a chorus of frogs in the night, it'll send me off to sleep in no time.
There's quite a growing industry for "Relaxation Sounds". Youtube is full of long playlists of the sounds of nature, hours of it. And checking out the hit counters of a number of them, the popularity is huge.
So we thought that leading into the weekend, we offer this Hour of "Frog Song" to help everyone depressurize & relax. We hope you enjoy the sounds of Nature.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

How long can you hold your breath?

We marvel at our little African Dwarf Frogs. The world they live in requires them to hold their breath for most of their lives. They come to the surface, gulp air into their lungs and submerge, over & over. All their lives, they live underwater on gulps of air.
Can you imagine trying to live like this? Impossible for humans... or is it. Here's someone who rivals our aquatic frogs in his lung capacity, able to swim to crushing depths on a gulp of air, not only for minutes at a time but to also fish for food underwater. See how long you can hold your breath while you watch this Underwater Hunter ply his trade.


Petr Spatina & The Glass Harp

We don't suggest trying this with an EcoAquarium, don't want to dip your fingers in the water.  Meet Petr Spatina from the Czech Republic. Petr played Accordion and Piano until he finally found „his" instrument, the Glass Harp which he plays now for over 15 years.
The Glass Harp consists of 33 wine glasses, filled and tuned with water.
The spherical sound of his music is bewitching, seems to be from outer space, unbelievably made. Not just any street musician, Petr is known world wide, because of his TV appearances. One things for certain... You can bet he can make the dog howl!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The Vanishing Frogs

It's not a magic act, but all the same, frogs are indeed vanishing from the natural world, and Naturalists are seeking answers as to why. While the conversion of rainforests into farmland has all but wiped out the natural habitat of our own African Dwarf Frogs,  some species are simply vanishing without man's direct encroachment.
That has biologists in a scramble wondering why.  Naturalist Jeff Corwin attributes global climate change along with civilizations demands on the few remaining wild places left on our planet. Check out this video, one of three parts, that search for a rare, almost extinct frog species in Ecuador.

Pets Interrupting Yoga

We promise... our Frogs are happy to just sit on the sidelines & watch.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Garden Frogs: The Gardener's Friend

Maintaining a household garden is a great use of your yard by adding a source of fresh vegetables to the kitchen table. With little effort you can let nature help in your gardens maintenance, by introducing Frogs,  a true Gardeners Friend to the garden. Anybody can have a Goldfish Pond, but a Frog Pond is special, especially for growing a happy healthy garden.
This short video explains how to make a home for frogs to be attracted to your garden and aid greatly in keeping garden pests at bay.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Hummingbird Infestation

Is there such a thing as "Too much of a good thing?" Not if it's a cloud of Hummingbirds at your feeders! Warning, this is a cuteness overload!

Glen Keane's "Duet" Animation

In this day & age of modern CGI animation, we're thrilled to see "Old School" methods of hand drawn cell animation still alive & well. Disney Award Winning animaton artist Glen Keane, presented his latest and most personal project to date, Duet, as part of a special Advanced Technology and Projects session at the Google I/O Conference in San Francisco.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Freaky Friday Post: We made it to the weekend!

HEY! We made it to the weekend! A perfect reason to kick up your heels & dance!
Hats off to two-year-old William Stokkebroe, gleefully dancing the jive. Talented young William's parents own a dance studio in Denmark called Studie43, where the boy picked up on all these Elvis-like moves. 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Squirrel Obstacle Course

You get teased about keeping Frogs as pets? If so, point out you don't make obstacle courses for them to go through, just for a tidbit of food.

Teacher Steve Barley takes some time out of the classroom to construct three different obstacle courses in his backyard for wild squirrels. He provides commentary as a couple of brave squirrels attempt to run through the course for a prize of nuts.

And now the News...(before naptime)

You have to admit, nowadays some of our daily news seems to be like a child's daydream, so what if the news was reported by children as well.? It actually makes a bit more sense when you hear it coming from "the mouths of babes." ...although it certainly sounds like Canada isn't a great place to be for the moment. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

A Heartwarming Friendship Between Toddler and WWII Vet


There is no telling how some friendships form, but some only need a simple spark to blossom. In this case, it was just a toddlers love of tomatoes that started something truly heartwarming.

For nearly a decade Bryan and Anika Rychner had little interaction with the elderly man next door. At best, they'd flash a wave or say hello in passing.
That changed last year when their son Emmett, just 2 years old at the time, decided to pay Erling Kindem a visit.
"They kind of bonded over the tomatoes in his garden," said Ankia, "because Emmett loves tomatoes."

Monday, July 7, 2014

"Grand Finale" Fireworks Video

We know Independence Day is over, but we just have to present this "Grand Finale" Fireworks show with a unique perspective... HD video shot INSIDE a fireworks display from a Quadcopter Drone.

Turn up the speakers & BE SURE TO WATCH IN HD! You'll be flying through a firework show with a DJI Phantom 2 and filming it with a GoPro Hero 3 silver. The quad was not damaged.
BTW, We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday, as much as we did!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

John Wayne - "America-Why I love her"


A popular clip shown now when some TV stations go off the air at night, but back in 1972, Actor John Wayne expressed a counterpoint in response to turbulent times. It was during the dark days of Watergate and the final, unsettling days of the Vietnam War, when actor John Wayne decided to speak out. In America, Why I Love Her, John Wayne explained in a special recording why America — and Americans — are special and why this country must remain a great nation.

Ray Charles - America the Beautiful

Some songs are timeless classics, some songs become classics how they have been sung. The late Ray Charles made America the Beautiful, one for the ages.

The true meaning of the term "Sling Arms!"

Continuing with our Independence Day Celebration we offer a performance of The Old Guard, US Army Rifle Drill Team with an awesome display of precision. Enjoy!

Sing it Bruce! Born in the USA

Those who grew up in the 8o's had a new Anthem straight out of New Jersey.Bruce Springsteen tapped ushered in a fresh spirit of Patriotism. Keep the Independence Day Spirit moving! Enjoy the Holiday!

The story of "Taps"

Keeping in the spirit of the Independence day holiday, we present the story of a truly iconic tune singularly familiar, yet largely unknown in it's origin . "Taps" is a true American inspired tune, born out of conflict, yet drawing inspiration of peace & rest.

MORE Fireworks!

If you haven't noticed by now, we're pretty patriotic around here, and we LOVE to celebrate our country's birthday! Independence Day is a great holiday... Cookouts, summer fun, parades, flag waving & FIREWORKS!

1000 High School Students Sing US National Anthem on 18 Floors Hotel

The Kentucky State Choir conference meets at the Louisville Hyatt every year. It is a tradition that every night of the conference, at 11 p.m., the students come out onto the balconies to sing the National Anthem.

Independence Day Pre-Celebration

Just an appetizer leading up to the big day...

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

A short trip through the Known Universe

http://youtu.be/17jymDn0W6U
Look up in a clear night sky you glimpse just a tiny part of a vast Universe. For years, astronomers have labored hard to map it's depths. But it's only been in recent years, with the help of composite imaging from the Hubble Telescope, and intensive map rendering, using the most powerful supercomputers, have we been able to begin to grasp the immensity of the Universe. This video is the result... an animation of every object in the known universe, located precisely in it's relationship to each other.
The Known Universe takes viewers from the Himalayas, through our atmosphere and the inky black of space, to the afterglow of the Big Bang. Every star, planet, and quasar seen in the film is possible because of the world's most complete four-dimensional map of the universe, the Digital Universe Atlas that is maintained and updated by astrophysicists at the American Museum of Natural History. The new film, created by the Museum, is part of an exhibition, Visions of the Cosmos: From the Milky Ocean to an Evolving Universe, at the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan.
Get This 4 Column Template Here
Get More Templates Here