How do fix my "tipping bucket" fountain?
Hi! I have a really cool copper-and-cast-stone fountain I got from a garden center that has since closed--or, at least, the fountain would be cool if it worked. With the help of a pump, water is supposed to trickle into a bucket. When the bucket gets full enough, the topheaviness causes the bucket to tip, dumping the water out, then the bucket pops upright again and the process starts over.
The problem is, the bucket won't return to upright. It just hangs upside down and the water dribbles over the bottom. Clearly, there's a manufacturing flaw and the bucket needs to be more bottom-heavy, so when the water tips out, the heavy bottom acts as a counterweight and pops the bucket up, vertical again. (The attached picture shows a fountain just like mine, with the bucket in the proper filling position.)
So my question is: what's the best material for a do-it-yourselfer to use to make the copper bucket heavier on the bottom? If I were a blacksmith I'd add molten copper, but I'm no blacksmith. I want to use something that sheds water, is fairly heavy, and won't just fall out of bucket when it tips. Suggestions?
Why not gorilla glue a couple of small river rocks inside? You could start with one and add another if needed.
maybe glue a few lava rocks to the bottom????
Why not attach heavy weight magnets to the exterior base?
Alternatively, cement a stone of the desired weight to exterior base of bucket.
I agree with gluing stone in the bottom of the pail. Start small and add more as needed.
I THINK IF YOU GET 2 SMALL MAGNETS PUT ONE ON THE INSIDE AND THE OTHER ON THE BOTTOM THEY WILL HOLD EACH OTHER IN PLACE.
I think magnets would work. Try "Earth Magnets" that you can find at a craft store or on Amazon.
You can buy heavy duty washers at the hardware store.
Do you know what brand your fountain is? I have been searching for this fountain for years. I'm sorry this has nothing to do with helping fix your fountain.
I would affix something heavy in the bottom of that bucket with a waterproof epoxy.