Bird Splash Pad

This is a tabletop fountain designed for my birds to play and bathe in.

• Plastic tote($4.49)
• Fountain pump ($19.99)
• CPVC Pipe ($3.59)
• Clear tubing ($6.99) - but only need a very small amount
• Pex Coupling ($0.49)
• 2 x 90 degree elbows ($0.99 x 2 = $1.98)
• Plastic tray (I got mine at Dollarama at 3/$1)

• Something to put on bottom of tote at one end to provide slight angle - I used a small strip of rigid insulation

Total cost: $37.86 (but you have a whole bunch of clear tubing for other projects)

• Drill
• Variety of drill bits
• Hacksaw
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Sharpie
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Dremel with tile cutting bit (optional)

Using hot glue, glue rigid insulation to bottom of tote at one end.

*Can use anything to provide a slight angle. The insulation I used added approx 1/2 inch lift to one side.

You want the lid of the tote to be able to sit flat, so you need to make a place for the pump cord to exit.

1. Using hacksaw cut down past lip of tote.
2. Using drill and larger drill bit (approx size of pump cord) to drill hole at end of cut.

Cut small piece of clear tubing to fit from pump egress to pex coupling. Measure from pex coupling to end of tote where you want it to go up through the lid. Cut piece of CPVC pipe to measurement with hacksaw.

Attach (or place) pump to end of tote (mine had suction cups). With my design the pump goes at the lower end of the tote. Pulling your cut for the cord slightly apart work the cord into the hole.

Test fit.

If happy with placement/fit, hot glue pipe to base of tote for stability.

Eyeball / measure position for hole in lid for pipe to come through.

I put scotch tape on the lip prior to cutting as I find it helps to prevent breaking.

Trace around pipe with sharpie for size. Drill hole, then using dremel make hole to sharpie marks.

At other end of lid make drainage holes for water to drain back into tote.

Measure/Decide how tall you would like the pipe to rise up out of the tote. I wanted my birds to be able to go under it without feeling scared so it's 9" from the top of the tote (both birds are approx 6" tall).

Measure/Decide how long you want your vertical piece to be (easily modified later).

Cut your CPVC pipe to match your measurements.

Drill holes along horizontal piece if you desire. I elongated the last two holes with the dremel to change the water flow.

Assemble (Note: I didn't use any adhesive/glue to connect any of my CPVC pieces, they are all friction fit and there hasn't been any leaks - not that it would matter)

My cockatiel likes bathing in water that is a certain height. This meant I wanted the tray to fill but not higher than she prefers. So I cut holes in one side of the tray at the height I wanted as the max fill.

I used the dremel to make (and enlarge) these holes.

I modified this until I was happy while full of water.

Put lid on tote, align and connect the vertical pipe into the elbow at the bottom of the tote.

Place tray at desired position. I put hotglue under the upper edge of the tray to hold it in place.

I remove the upright pipe and lid when adding water and moving it around.

Add water, make sure you put enough to allow the pump to function properly. In mine it's approx 2 inches.

(I put a towel under it to contain spray from splashing).

Put lid on and attach piping. Turn your pump on and try it out. (Maybe try in an area where splashing is ok as you may need to modify many things to get the desired effect)

Modifications:

• Turn pump up or down to produce desired flow
• Change length of horizontal piece (originally mine was too long and was causing water to go beyond the tote edge.
• Add more holes along horizontal pipe or change orientation to get desired outcome. Originally I had numerous holes along the bottom of the horizontal pipe but it was causing too much splashing. So I turned the pipe over and made just one hole near the end and a large slot for the water to come out of.
• Make holes in tray bigger to get water flow correct.
• Make holes bigger in tote lid / make more holes to allow draining into tote without flooding.

My parrot isn't afraid of anything (unless it's night time and it's time for bed - then it's anything goes). So he approached this as soon as he was let out of his cage and explored.

Enjoy watching them get into trouble!