Pioneer Raindrop fountain

ameise

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I picked up a Pioneer Pet Raindrop Fountain ( ), as it had good reviews and was recommended in multiple places. I am noticing that it is very loud - the pump vibrates quite a bit.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience with it or knows a good way to solve it?
 

bluebird gal

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I don't really have any ideas on how to make that stop but I have one also, for a year now, and the only time I hear the motor vibrate is when the water gets low .. or I set it in just the right/wrong position on our kitchen floor that has a bit of a rise to it.
 

natalie_ca

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I have this one too. I don't notice that it's very loud, but it does make a soft noise.  Perhaps you have the pump set too high?  That black thing with the cord that fits inside the plastic clam shell, has a switch on the side that you can move from left to right.  Far left if very little pumping / bubbling action, far right is very intense pumping / bubbling action.  I have mine set about 1/2 way.

It still makes a soft noise that attracts Katie, and because of that she pushes the fountain around the kitchen.  I even tried a non slip mat, but that hasn't helped. The mat stays in place, but the fountain is still pushed all over the kitchen.

The drawback I have with this fountain is that I have to fill it twice per day. Between 3 cats and evaporation, the water gets low pretty fast.  I would love it if it had a reservoir that holds additional water.

The only time I notice the fountain getting loud is when the water is low, or when the black pump inside the clam shell has accumulated hair around it. 
 

hawaii500

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I just got the fountain and it does vibrate a bit, but nothing too bad.  Putting it on a mat/rug I think helps.  I'll need to experiment. 

My cat hasn't really taken to it yet.  Actually, he's pretty much ignored it.   When I first set it up, I needed to turn the pump down as it tended to splash too much otherwise. 

How do people feel about the charcoal filters?  I haven't put it in because I'm using  bottled water.  Is there any point? pros/cons to using it? 
 

NewYork1303

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I just got the fountain and it does vibrate a bit, but nothing too bad.  Putting it on a mat/rug I think helps.  I'll need to experiment. 

My cat hasn't really taken to it yet.  Actually, he's pretty much ignored it.   When I first set it up, I needed to turn the pump down as it tended to splash too much otherwise. 

How do people feel about the charcoal filters?  I haven't put it in because I'm using  bottled water.  Is there any point? pros/cons to using it? 
It filters out cat hair pretty well? Other than that... no idea if its really necessary to have the filters in.

We had ours on a timer to make it so the cats could get used to it both running and not running. They both love to drink from it now. 
 

hawaii500

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The timer idea is interesting.  So they were hesitant with it running all the time?   I currently have another regular bowl out, and he's just going for that.
 

DreamerRose

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I picked up a Pioneer Pet Raindrop Fountain ( ), as it had good reviews and was recommended in multiple places. I am noticing that it is very loud - the pump vibrates quite a bit.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience with it or knows a good way to solve it?
Where are you located? We discovered on another thread that the motors on cat fountains are designed for electric current in the US, and in other  countries, they can be quite noisy.

The charcoal filters are great if you are using tap water in the fountain, but if you are using bottled or filtered water, there's not much point in it. Cat fur seems to be too heavy on my fountain to go through the pump; it just settles to the bottom of the bowl.

If the fountain is new to your cat and you're still putting water in a bowl, take the bowl away to get the cat interested in the fountain. I had to close all my toilet lids because that's where Mingo would go to drink instead of from the fountain. He now drinks from the fountain.
 

NewYork1303

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The timer idea is interesting.  So they were hesitant with it running all the time?   I currently have another regular bowl out, and he's just going for that.
They were initially worried about it when it was running all the time. It turning on and off helped them get used to the sound. One of the cats prefers it still be off so using the timer helps him get the water that he needs.
 

hawaii500

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I'm located in Australia.   Huh, I'll check the pump later and see if there are any specifications on it.  I guess there's not much you can do, but maybe find a similar, quieter pump here.

I'm a little hesitant to take his regular bowl away as it kind of feels like it defeats the purpose of encouraging him to drink more.  Though not necessarily true, and you're probably right.
 

catlover73

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I live in the U.S. and have used that fountain for years.  I know that mine gets louder if the water level gets too low.  I keep the bowl filled all way to the very top and this seems to help with the noise.  My hubby does not fill the bowl all the way to the top when he refills it after cleaning it and I go and fill it up. 
 
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