Was getting sick of my Drinkwell Platinum, as it was hard to keep clean, and hard to wash. Wanted to go stainless steel, but I wasn't too impressed with the various stainless fountains available, and their troublesome pumps. So, I decided to try to make my own, and figured I'd post it in case anyone else likes the idea.
I figured I'd do the fish filter + stainless bowl approach. I was aiming for square so I wouldn't have trouble with the filter. After looking around for something acceptable, I found a 2-pack of 7qt square stainless buffet pans for $20 at Sam's Club: http://www.samsclub.com/sams/half-size-steam-table-pan-2-pk/185472.ip
They're decently thick pans and the edges aren't sharp, but they're still thin enough to cut if you hit em just right (my poor knuckle..). I didn't find any cheaper single pans locally, but I didn't really look too hard.
I then went with an Hagen/Fluval Aquaclear filter. The model 20 would have been fine, but local pet store only had the slightly bigger 30.
http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/sub_category_psubtype.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PSUBCAT=10701
There's smaller & cheaper filters available, but I like these as they're adjustable, easy to use, disassemble, and clean. Also, parts are widely available, and they hold a lot more filter material than others. As there aren't any affordable stainless steel pumps, this should work fine.
Still have to finish it up & make it presentable, but here's two initial shots:
Threw it all together and works nicely. A bit on the bigger side, but should be fine for my 3 decently sized cats. The Aquaclear 30 is a bit tall for just a single pan, hence the double-stack. I have to cut down one of the intake extension tubes so the intake sits closer to the bottom of the pan. Then once my days off come around, I'll to make a surround that will raise the pan up a bit, and keep the edges from being exposed. Probably something nice out of oak or maple, with a few coats of poly.
I like that the water stream isn't too high. With the Drinkwell, Waffle loved to stick his head under the stream
and get water everywhere (i.e. soaked through the floor into a puddle in the basement...)
About the only thing I might miss from the Drinkwell is the reservoir, but this holds a lot more water, and there's a good chance I'll eventually automate filling (I've made some nice auto top-off controllers for aquariums).
I figured I'd do the fish filter + stainless bowl approach. I was aiming for square so I wouldn't have trouble with the filter. After looking around for something acceptable, I found a 2-pack of 7qt square stainless buffet pans for $20 at Sam's Club: http://www.samsclub.com/sams/half-size-steam-table-pan-2-pk/185472.ip
They're decently thick pans and the edges aren't sharp, but they're still thin enough to cut if you hit em just right (my poor knuckle..). I didn't find any cheaper single pans locally, but I didn't really look too hard.
I then went with an Hagen/Fluval Aquaclear filter. The model 20 would have been fine, but local pet store only had the slightly bigger 30.
http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/sub_category_psubtype.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PSUBCAT=10701
There's smaller & cheaper filters available, but I like these as they're adjustable, easy to use, disassemble, and clean. Also, parts are widely available, and they hold a lot more filter material than others. As there aren't any affordable stainless steel pumps, this should work fine.
Still have to finish it up & make it presentable, but here's two initial shots:
Threw it all together and works nicely. A bit on the bigger side, but should be fine for my 3 decently sized cats. The Aquaclear 30 is a bit tall for just a single pan, hence the double-stack. I have to cut down one of the intake extension tubes so the intake sits closer to the bottom of the pan. Then once my days off come around, I'll to make a surround that will raise the pan up a bit, and keep the edges from being exposed. Probably something nice out of oak or maple, with a few coats of poly.
I like that the water stream isn't too high. With the Drinkwell, Waffle loved to stick his head under the stream
About the only thing I might miss from the Drinkwell is the reservoir, but this holds a lot more water, and there's a good chance I'll eventually automate filling (I've made some nice auto top-off controllers for aquariums).
