You can build a home falls, but I bought this one because I found it at the same time that I was "in the money" I will see if I can get my friend to take a picture with his cam so I can post it. There are all kinds of selfcontaied little water falls that aren't neccassarily for animals out there there, that will work just fine as well, they can be found at gift shops (hallmark and such) but they are generally smaller. There are lots of ways to build one, using good glue and water seal products you could build one out of lots of things, THe one I built in the past I made out of a fish tank decoration, I just had to get the pump, and reservior set up. This one is a ZooMed, though I cannot find it on the website. I will get that picture and a picture of a small home falls that we have in the house.