Stephanie Warren for Aquatic Ally Video Testimonials

Speaker: Stephanie Warren

Stephanie Warren: I actually had a major concerns. Uh, the first time that I saw these frogs and the biosphere that they came in, you know, it's, I, I just could not wrap my head around the fact that these frogs were meant to live in a, not even a one gallon clear box with one small stick of bamboo, three little rocks and two pellets per frog twice a week. And then also, you know, the fact that water changes were only, you know, once every 2 to 3 months and that wasn't even a full water change. That was maybe a 50% water change. Um, I just, I knew that that wasn't right. Uh, you know, I don't know a whole lot about frogs or any aquatic animals for that fact, but it just didn't seem ok. And every time I walked by them, I genuinely felt bad for them. You know, I was constantly checking the temperature in my house because from what a lot of us know, now, uh, these frogs do need to live in heated water, you know, that's their natural environment. So I was constantly checking the temperature in my house. I felt like they were not getting enough food and they just did not seem happy, but I really had no idea how to get them into something bigger. You know, I spent a lot of time looking on the froggy, their website, uh, to upgrade it to the one gallon tank that they sell. And even though everything on their website is polar opposite from what everything else says about these frogs and how they need to live. I just, I did not have the means to buy them a new, you know, tank and a new aquarium, whatever, everything that they needed. And I quite frankly I didn't have the time, money or mental capacity to take on another animal. And that was the sole purpose of my parents getting these because they're advertised as, you know, super low maintenance. Um, like I said, the water changes and the feeding is, is really not that much work from what they advertise it as so to an outsider looking in. It seems like a really great, you know, idea. But we all know now that, that's not true and I needed to get these frogs into something. Um, I spent a lot of time, you know, researching and reading about what they need and the more that I read and researched, the more confused that I got and I was feeling very, very frustrated and bad for these frogs.

Stephanie Warren: This whole experience has been a roller coaster. Um, like I mentioned before, you know, I spent a lot of time researching and trying to figure out what to do, how to move them, what, you know, what size tank they needed to be in because everything that I was reading said, You know, at minimum 10 gallons and I just, I didn't have the space for that and I didn't have the money to be buying a 10 gallon tank. Um, and so I was just feeling really overwhelmed with what they needed to eat. I've never, you know, cycled a tank before. Um, that wasn't a thing that I was familiar with and like I mentioned before, the more that I read online, the more confused that I got, uh, I really just needed someone to sit down and tell me like this is what you need, this is where you can get it and this is how you, how you do it. And so finally, one day I just joined a Facebook group because I was hoping that maybe I could connect with someone who could honestly kind of hold my hand through this whole thing because I was just not prepared at all for this. Um And I finally did meet someone who was amazing. She helped me so much and I honestly would not have been able to get the set up that I have now without her. Uh So I'm very appreciative of her and I will recommend her over and over again and I knew that they needed the 10 gallon tank, but I, I couldn't afford it. So we settled with the five gallon because as soon as she started going over with me, everything that I would need, I got even more overwhelmed because I was not prepared for the amount of time that it was gonna take to cycle a tank and to continue their proper care. You know, after they're moved into the new tank, I did not have the money to be buying the aquarium, the testing strips, you know, all the food and aquarium decor and I just, that was not a part of my budget at the time. Um, and I knew I needed to get them into a tank fast. You know, I couldn't wait the weeks or months that it takes to cycle a tank because I was afraid they were gonna die regardless in this teeny tiny clear box. So we decided to, um, not cycle the tank. You know, I, I did it over, I guess a, a couple of days I, um, you know, did what I could do and I moved them and the relief that I got when I moved them, uh, the next day it was, it was so worth the stress and the time that I put into figuring out how to move them, uh, they are thriving within the first week. You know, I've, I've read about them like humming or singing, which it sounds more like, like a buzz kind of. Um, but the male, which I was able to figure out, you know, I do have a male and a female. Their names are peanut butter and jelly. Uh Peanut Butter is the girl because she's, you know, a little chunkier and I became obsessed with them. You know, honestly, I love them. They're cute and they're fun to watch and I actually ended up, uh, the peanut butter ended up pregnant about probably, I would say probably the second week that they were moved. So that was, uh, quite the experience, but I really saw a complete night and day difference just within the first couple weeks of moving them. Uh, it's, it's just, it's crazy. So, although it's been extremely stressful And, uh, you know, a little, a little pricey and I'm not gonna lie. You know, you do have to spend the money on a tank and you have to do the upkeep. You know, they, they can't just live off of the pellets. So you do have to buy them, you know, real food. Uh, but it was worth it. 100% worth it. Um, would I do it again? I don't know necessarily if I would, but like I said, I would do anything to get the animals, you know, into the homes and what they need. So, yeah.

Stephanie Warren: you know, a short paragraph but I would really encourage you to do your research. Um, don't just buy it, you know, right off the bat. Like it looks like a great idea. We can do this, uh, really look into it, look into what they need, uh, and don't, don't stress yourself, um, personally, you know, I probably way over stressed but that's just kind of my personality, you know, I'm an anxious person and especially when it comes to animals. I want to make sure that I do it right. But, uh, don't get wrapped up into everything that you read online. Um, yes, there are some people who do, you know, extravagant things with their aquariums and really, you know, dedicate their time and it's their hobby and that's perfectly fine. Um, personally, for me that wasn't something that was on my agenda at the moment. Um, but I don't believe that you have to have it, you know, be your main focus of, you know, your life. You know, you can have an aquarium and you can maintain it and you can keep healthy, happy fish, frogs, whatever it might be without going, you know, to the extreme. Um, so I would just kind of keep that in mind, like, yes, if you can. Great. That's perfect. Um, but if you can't getting them out of that little tiny biosphere and getting them into, you know, at least like the heated water and the filtered water is gonna be so beneficial to them. You know, even if you have to learn along the way, which a lot of us, first timers will continue to do for a while. Um, you're still trying, you know, and I think that's what matters. Um, if you, if you want them to have a better life, um, you, you, you'll put in the time and the effort to do it. Uh, I would definitely not buy from Froggy Lair. I would not, I don't know how they're still in business to be quite frank with you. Uh, it's completely cruel. Um, and against humanity and what, how animals should be treated. Uh, so, yeah, I'm more than willing to do whatever I can to help get them shut down. You know, I have a hard time because I, I want people to go buy them so that we can get them into the tanks that they need. But also, you know, you don't want to, um, give them more of an incentive to sell, you know, because they're receiving money from people buying them. So, yeah, I would just do your research. Um, don't overwhelm yourself, don't stress yourself. Uh, it'll all be ok, it'll work out and you'll learn along the way.