Providing the best shelter for hematocryal animals is a tough task - expensive and time consuming! First I planned the base structure which is made out of ply wood with a waterproof sealing. The second layer is made out of pond lamination. On this layer I designed the natural structure with styrofoam - messy work! To get the stony surface look I applied several layers of tile cement. After some weeks the dry cement had to be covered with a special waterproof resin. The thick branches were fixed in the base structure as stabilisation and dedicated wholes were filled with flower pots inclusive non-poisonous plants.

The upper hole on the pic is connected to a ventilation system above. The complete electric sytem is savely stored in the boxes above the vivarium. In addition I construcetd a hidden storage in the front for daily needs e.g. food, chemicals and the water filter.

The light sytem is controlled by time switches which are programmed to simulate a sunrise to sunset effect within 12 hours. Below the branches there is a 200litres water pool which is purified by a big filter pump. Some fish are fertilizing the water plants with excrements. The humidity is controlled by a fogger in the pool and an automatic rain sytem, which pumps destilled water-microdrops from the ceiling.

For maximum comfort I construted a small cave filled with bark wood that is illuminated by a motion-sensor controlled UV light. The sun at lunchtime is simulated by an additional 150W UV lamp (Osram).