Recently we came on the recommendation of a friend, to the CAT MATE, the not on Amazon at the time - was available only on eBay.
I must admit I was a bit skeptical - the thing looks simple and certainly comes from China; So can also no good. Arrived So much for my mood, as the package ...
1) Function
The course structure is simple because the only fountain consists of two parts: the bottom part, which is placed on the floor, and the building, it is simply plugged.
The pump is placed in the upper part and is locked by a latch.
In the bottom there is an activated carbon filter to purify the water of pollutants - more on that later.
2) Operating
I was actually surprised when we have the fountain for the first time charged with 2L of water and turned on. Why? You do not hear him!
The pump is really quiet running. In the other wells we had the problem that after switching on the pump was very loud because still was located in the inner air. These mostly came a humming noise or water.
When Cat Mate that's fine: After powering up the last air felt it takes 20 seconds the pump has escaped, and from there you can not hear him - I had a few months my desk 2m away from the fountain; no sound!
We allow the pump to 50% starch / water delivery run; which saves power and reduces the evaporation of water.
3) Cleaning
Again, I am relatively happy. We clean the wells once a week: dump water, remove pump, spray with lime remover and wipe.
Limescale formed (because it comes just simply ran hard), but that's about it - It is true that in the meantime a little rougher on the inside of the top - I guess.
I would like to see more than that in the bottom part not many plastic webs would protrude out of the wall - annoying a little when cleaning.
The carbon filter I wash out 2-3 times with hot water and put it back on. Which is then replaced approximately every 4 weeks.
4) activated carbon filter
... Should probably be replaced every 2 weeks. Since these are not really cheap imho, but I had an idea that I will try, as soon as our filters are used in stock:
There are also on Amazon granular activated carbon for aquariums to buy. And since the filter can be opened from the Well, you could simply replace the activated carbon ... as a granular activated carbon costs about 7 for 300 Gr - and I am relatively sure that you determined from 300 Gr 20-30 x the activated carbon could replace the filter.
5) Conclusion
Although the fountain looks like others are not so pretty and a little flair China spread, I am very satisfied.
Cleaning is good, fast and easy by hand, and the well is very quiet and smooth.
We have him for about a year in operation, and we can not complain since - overall a worthwhile investment.
