Hi I am trying to come up with an ideal for making a Mermaid cake with a real water working device for the waterfall. I am pretty sure I can use the rubber tubing that comes with a fish tank and the pump, but what type of icing will I have to use on the outside of my cake that will allow the water to flow down the side and gather into a pool? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Sandy

i dont think any type of icing would hold up to having water run over it. but for what you are trying to do, you could make a "river" out of thick plastic sheeting (like a new shower curtain) and curl it up on the sides. put this down the cake over the frosting, using either piping gel or royal icing to secure it to the fondant if using, if not the buttercream should adhere it well enough if you put it on before it crusts. then you can run the hose through the cake. i hope this makes sense...i can see it in my mind, but sometimes, my brain doesnt tell my hands the right thing. lol

, I don't even know what I'd sugest for you to pull this off, but you should definitely posts pics if you do it!
I think I'd chose to have a fire going on my cake over water!

I have my doubts that you can put fish tank tubing ect in a cake... itsn ot food safe.

wouldnt that give the cake a metal taste?

What id you wrapped in in plastic wrap?

as long as you give yourself enough room in the cake itself where the plastic wrap wont roll or pull up as you put it in...i know they use the copper pipes all the time on food network challenges...just not sure about if they actually eat them afterwards...i tried asking once, didnt get a reply. lol

I think if you had to have one, I'd just use a little table top fountain and put it on the cake, of course doweled and supported, and decorate around it. I would just search waterfall cakes, and you will see all kinds that have the look of a waterfall.

Plastic PVC pipe is also used for our water pipes.

Yes, it can be done!!! Check this out: http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=142901&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0

You can get flexible food safe tubing at home depot. It's the stuff they use for fridge ice makers and water dispensers I believe. You'd just need to check the ID/ OD where the tubing attaches to the pump to make sure they carry that size