Easy Low Cost Low Voltage Pondless Waterfall?

If there ever is such a thing as "easy." I plan to build a simple pondless feature. Pump: Can any low voltage 12v pumps push the water up to say about 4 feet, with maybe a 2-3 feet spillway? Id like to use an LV pump as I won't need to get permits and it'll be much safer in event of an electrical short. Spillway: I was thinking of using PVC pipe, cap both ends, drill holes, and attach the water hose. This would be in a "T" formation. I would then hide it into my rock basin. I could adjust waterfall flow and waterspread easily by trying different diameter PVC, more/less holes, adjust water flow pressure. Reservoir: For the reservoir, I read of some using a large plastic trash can as a durable liner (saves on using pond liner), fill with plastic pails drilled with holes, including one pail for the pump. Fill this as needed with pea gravel or drain rock.