This is a fine idea in principle, but don't be taken in by it. I had exactly this set-up in my old apartment, and it was great. Then I went on vacation for a month, came back and found that a colony of sea otters had taken up residence in the kelp forest that had grown in my absence.

Don't get me wrong, they're super-cute and all, but they use up all the soap, leave wet towels on the floor, and throw wild parties when you're trying to sleep. Animal Control was also very very unhelpful when I asked for them to be evicted, talking about squatters rights and endangered species acts, not to mention citing Article 161.01 (b) of the NYC Health Code which prohibits the keeping of "all fur bearing mammals of the family Mustelidae, including, but not limited to, weasel, marten, mink, badger, ermine, skunk, otter, pole cat, zorille, wolverine, stoat and ferret" as pets in the city.