FINCHforum

I am getting close to finishing an indoor aviary (15'x8') and considering placing a fountain in it. I have seen one which has a large basin in the bottom of it and a series of three pools separated by waterfalls. I thought I'd ask for some info here before proceeding. I was wondering if anyone here has a fountain in their aviary and how they manage to keep the water clean. Would something like an exterior fish tank filter (Fluval) work to extend the water changing period? Is there something I can add to the water that will keep bacteria down (and birds safe)? I'd like to hear how you do it.

Thanks

Whatever you choose to do ...keep the water shallow....If the pools are deep fill up with pebbles...Many a bird has died in deeper water.

Thanks poohbear,

The water holding basin is inside the structure (at back), not accessable to the birds. Of the pools, I will have to place stones in the bottom one to reduce depth. All else looks safe enough.

I had the same problem, water to deep. put the stones in and for some reason the birds wouldnt go near the dish at all, took 3 attempts with different stones before I decided to use 1/4" wire mesh (folded to sfit water dish) before the little buggers went back.

I have a table top fountain. I decided to try this before getting a larger one. My birds did not go to it for a while. I thought it was because of the light. Then I removed the stones because it was easier to clean and they love it now. I am planning on getting a larger one next spring. I do not think there is an easy way to clean it. I have to clean mine out every other day. I put sparkle in the water once a week. This helps with bacteria. I think it all depends on how much time you have to keep it clean. My birds love the running water and so to me it is worth the trouble. But it is alot of trouble !

I have the same size outdoor aviary with two automatic watering holes at each end. I dug a 3' x12" hole as a drainage basin and covered it with 1/4" mesh wire, then I cemented together a drinking pool(2' x 3') with natural rocks. Oh, I ran 1/2" PVC pipe into the pool and set it to ran water for 1 minute at 3 to 4 times a day. This way it over fills to refresh the water and runs down to the drainage. Test your hole to make sure its soaking into the surrounding dirt before you build the pool on top of it. I even got a 12" dia. PVC pipe at 3' to fit into the hole so dirt wouldn't fall back in. This has worked for 6 years now.
Sam

Thanks for reply SamFoy,

Interesting setup. Although my aviary is indoors and setting up something similar would be difficult, it would not be impossible. What kind of automatic watering system do you have?

Just go to your local ACE, Home Depot, etc. in the plumbing department. Actually I went to the irrigation area - mine is light green.

Sorry, thought you said outdoor aviary.

Has anyone used the Drinkwell Fountains for Cats/Dogs?

Are they too deep? I've seen on ebay that you can grow Hyrdoponic grasses in them. Any of these finch eatable?

They have a filtering system.

I grow wheat grass in small containers and put it in each cage. All my birds love it. They don't eat the grass but they do get the juice out of it.



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