Flowing Cat Water

So my cat likes flowing water, I hear many of them do. We got sick of him screaming at us until we followed him into the bathroom to turn on the water...only for us to forget about it until three hours later, the middle of the night etc.
My goal was to make a watering system for under $10 and I think I just about nailed it.

My BOM as follows:
Plastic Bucket $1
Plastic plate $1
Set of funnels $1
Submersible water pump $7
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Submersible-Water-Pu...

Shoehorn (optional) $Free
16" rubber tube $Free
5V power adapter from old Roku

Step 1: Cut a Section of the Bucket Away

Your cat needs a place to insert his big stupid head

Also cut a V-section away for the power cord and water tube (and whatever you use to support the tube)
Re-attach the cut-away section 180 degrees away from the cut.

Step 2: Resevoir Cover

To be perfectly honest, I didn't use a plastic plate, it was a bowl. Since I didn't get a picture of it before I cut it...you get a plate. Cut that bowl/plate to a diameter that will wedge down 3-4 inches from the bottom of the bucket.
Cut your center hole the size of the funnel spout you like the best, then more holes radiating out from the center for splash drainage.
Fasten your cover with a small screw to keep it level

Step 3: Assemble!

So you don't have a shoehorn, third world problems... find any flexible semi-rigid (coat hanger?) part and rig it up to point the hose into the funnel, it makes the most noise pointing dead center so it's ok to be off.

Step 4: Holy Crap It Works

This is my first instructable so be cool. I'll add any more information that I missed if you request it.

Comments

[petrichor1969]

Hi, I tried a commercial pet fountain with a submersible pump, and the pump made a ton of noise and my 'fraidy cat wouldn't go near it. I'd love to try your idea. Is your pump fairly quiet? Does the cat actually use the fountain? (cough) Do you have a brand name for the pump?

Thanks!

[RobC173]

This pump makes almost zero noise. The only sounds you hear is from the stream going down the center of the funnel into the reservoir (you can aim it to avoid this)
I don't have a brand name, it is probably a generic "white label" pump that is used in a few small applications under different names. Make sure the one you buy has a suction cup on the bottom, it helps.

Yes, the cat bugs us for running water 90% less. Try to keep it out of sight of his litter box, cats are like humans in that sense.

[jessyratfink]

This is a really great reuse! I also have water crazy kitties and this seems so much nicer than them rolling around in the sink :P