A Tropical Rainforest Community Vivarium

 

	This large tropical rainforest vivarium was created for the front parlor of a historic California craftsman home.  The décor is simple, clean and elegant.

 

The vivarium cabinet and canopy are made of the same oak used throughout the home for the doors, crown molding, baseboard and other trim elements.  The corner supports for the canopy are carved eucalyptus tree silhouettes, reminiscent of traditional arts and crafts style decorative elements.  The tank is about 6’ long, by 3’ wide by 4’ tall.  Access is through two large front sliding doors.

 

 

 

The lighting system simulates natural tropical sunlight in spectrum, intensity and photoperiod, including the simulation of dawn and dusk.  At night, the light of a full moon is simulated.  An exterior filtration system keeps the water crystal clear and recirculates it from the pool to the top of the waterfall.  A high-pressure misting system waters epiphytic plants, maintains substrate moisture and keeps the humidity high.  A vent and fan system maintain fresh air circulation.  A drainage system removes excess substrate moisture.  All systems are operated by a computer control unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many microclimates and mini-habitats within the intricate landscape.  One end features a high, rocky hill sloping down to a plateau.  At the front of the plateau, a rocky cliff face drops down to a cool, mossy valley.  The rock used in the vivarium is the same beautiful native granite used on the exterior of the home.  It is a traditional building material used on many buildings in Southern California, especially homes from the craftsman era.  From a fissure near the top of the hill, a waterfall cascades down the hill to a stream that flows through the plateau, emptying into a large, rocky jungle pool at the other end of the vivarium.  This pool is the equivalent of a 30 gallon aquarium.

A specimen bonsai jaboticaba tree grows from the valley floor in front of the cliff, with its lacy canopy spreading out above the plateau and pool.  Its lovely, patchy bark in shades of gray, brown, green and cream echoes that of the native sycamore trees growing in the courtyard garden outside the parlor.  Many epiphytic plants grow on the tree, the rocky hill and cliff face, including orchids, bromeliads, tillandsias, ferns, mosses and other types.  Terrestrial plants include orchids, bromeliads, ferns, calatheas, alocasias, mosses, etc.  Bog and aquatic plants include a red tiger lotus, grand sword plant, African water ferns, anubias, peace lilies, cryptocorynes, acorus and Java moss.

This vivarium was created to house an exceptionally large and varied community of animals, made possible by the many varied microhabitats, inclusion of rich resources and careful planning to select a community of compatible species.  Species included day geckos, pygmy chameleons, grass lizards, several species of dart frogs, reed frogs, a small green tree snake, several species of tropical fish, three species of freshwater shrimp, snails and a flower mantis.  These animals, along with the colorful plant foliage and flowers, ensured a riot of fantastic color everywhere in the vivarium.  An environment like this is full of activity, providing hours of fascinating viewing for young and old alike.

 

When this home was included on a holiday tour of exceptional homes decorated for the holidays, the vivarium was an object of much attention and admiration.