Blue Thub Spouted Square Urn Fountain Kits Installation Guide
- June 12, 2024
- Blue Thub
Table of Contents
Blue Thub Spouted Square Urn Fountain Kits
Thank you for choosing one of our Square Urn Spillway Fountain Kits. This kit comes complete with everything you need for an easy installation. Please read carefully and when directed please reference specific product manuals for detailed product installation guidance, and you’ll have your fountain up and running in no time!
Product Information
The Spouted Square Urn Fountain Kits are designed for use with the following Metal Urn Kits:
- Single Tapered Square Urn Kit #ABBSSV36K
- Triple Corten Steel Rusted Urn Fountain Kit #ABBCS3TK
These kits come complete with everything you need for an easy installation. The Spillway Kits include:
- Single Brass Patina Tapered Square Urn Kit connectors
- Triple Corten Steel Rusted Tapered Square Urn Kit connectors
Note: It is advisable to wear gloves when handling the Rusted Corten Steel Urns to prevent leaving skin oil markings on the fountains.
Included in your Spillway Kits
Single Brass Patina Tapered Square Urn Kit
- ONE 30”, 36”, or 42” Brass Patina Spouted Urn Fountain
- 36” AquaBox Achelous Basin with pre-drilled Grate
- 800 gph Mag-drive Pump
- 1” Kink-free Hose with plumbing connectors
- 12” x 12” Anti-splash Mat
- 4 bags Polished Pebbles
- Plastic Shims
Triple Corten Steel Rusted Tapered Square Urn Kit
- A 30”, 36”, AND 42” Corten Steel Spouted Urn Fountains
- 48” AquaBox Achelous Basin with pre-drilled Grate
- 1,100 gph Mag-drive Pump
- 1” Kink-free Hose with plumbing connectors
- 12” x 12” Anti-splash Mat
- 5 bags Polished Pebbles
- Plastic Shims
Note: It is best to wear gloves when handling the Rusted Corten Steel Urns to keep hands from leaving skin oil markings on the fountains.
INSTALLATION
Choose Basin Location
- Locate your fountain near your preferred viewing area where both water and electricity services are accessible.
- Clear the area and prepare to excavate by tracing the fountain basin using marking paint.
- Be certain to avoid underground utilities. If uncertain call your utility company or Miss Dig.
Excavation of Basin Area
- Using a shovel dig 90 degrees into the ground, slightly wider and just as deep as the fountain basin making sure to remove any sharp rocks or roots.
NOTE: If installing a splash apron, make sure the basin is about 11/2” below grade, allowing you to slope the surrounding terrain toward the basin.
Determine Fountain Placement
Consider placement of the fountains. These basin grates have been pre-drilled
for best plumbing and pump access ease. Place the fountains in the direction
for best viewing, while providing easy access to an electric source for both
the pump access in the grate, and the auto-fill spinweld located on the side
of the basin. Turn basin to align these elements before backfilling.
Fountain Position on Grate
Notice that the two halves of the installed grate should meet over the
wider set of support columns for greatest strength. An additional PVC center
support may be included for even more added stability. The pre-drilled hole is
located for best pump access. For the Triple Spillway Kit this is where the
tallest 42” fountain will sit. Water will be pumped up to this highest point
and spill down into the 36” fountain, then down to the 30” urn, and back into
the basin to recirculate.
Position & Backfill Basin
- Place the basin within the hole. Make sure the pump opening in the grate is orientated near electrical service. Using a 2 – 4 ft. level ensure the fountain basin remains level side to side.
- Once the fountain basin is level, carefully back fill using excavated soil. Tamping the soil tightly around the basin to prevent shifting.
- Consider adding water to the basin at this time to complete the stabilization of the basin and save time during the installation process.
Optional Auto Fill Kit Install
If a Blue Thumb Elite Auto Fill Kit is being incorporated, you may bury your
water supply line and make any Auto Fill connections at this time.
Fountain Plumbing
- Attach 11/2” intake connector assembly to the inlet in the center of the bottom of the tallest square urn. A second inlet is capped with a threaded plug inside the vessel. It may be used for internal lighting, if desired. Both inlets will be capped for smaller spillway urns.
- Attach hose to the intake connector assembly.
- Feed the other end of hose through the pre-drilled hole in the grate and into the reservoir/basin.
- Tip the fountain so it stands on the grate. Make sure the plumbing has no kinks or twists, which will cause a reduction in water flow, and possibly no flow at all.
Pump Plumbing
- Attach discharge assembly connector to the pump.
- Grab hose from inside the reservoir/basin and attach to the pump discharge assembly connector.
- Set pump and hose in the basin. The fountain pump will be located beneath the pump access panel and inside the fountain basin. The pump should be positioned as close to the pump access opening as possible for best accessibility. This pump can be installed on its side, it will run in either position.
- Keep power cord outside the basin and away from water. The power cord will pass through the notch on the pump access cover.
Place and Level Fountains
- Place fountain bowls so the spillways flow completely into the next spillway or to the anti-splash mat. Splash should be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive refilling.
- Add plastic shims where needed to adjust leveling. It’s best to shim before adding water weight.
Fill and Test
- If you haven’t already added water to the fountain basin, use a garden hose to add water until the basin is filled to the bottom of the grates.
- With your Square Spillway Urns in place, fill them with your garden hose.
- Our optional Auto Fill Kit, shown after Step 5, may be used to keep the water level topped off with minimal maintenance checks.
- Plug in the pump cord to test your fountain.
- You may adjust the water flow using the dial on the front of the pump.
Note: The pump flow control dial minimally adjusts water flow as our
pumps are selected based on the power needed for optimal flow for the selected
fountain.
NOTE: Normal evaporation is about 1-2” weekly, however, that is dependent
on your region. Many factors including humidity, rainfall, wind, and splash
will determine exactly how frequently you need to refill.
Finishing
Select decorative gravel that compliments your fountain, adjacent landscape and is sized appropriately to not fall through the cracks of the grates into the fountain basin. For the best look, consider adding plants and moisture loving ground covers around the footprint of the fountain basin, or adding a lighting kit.
ENJOY! Grab your favorite beverage, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new fountain! We’d love for you to share your new fountain with us and future customers on our social media platforms!
Kit Tips:
- Plumber’s tape or silicone (not included) can be used to provide a watertight connection.
- Triple Corten Steel Urns have a natural rusted look. This will eventually turn the water rusty. We recommend sealing these fountains yearly with a clear multi-surface waterproofer, such as Thompson’s Water Sealant, to help with water clarity.
- Single Urns have a patina finish that will naturally evolve in coloration. The finish requires no maintenance, but upon occasion you may want to clean it with detergent and a soft cloth, do not use an abrasive.
- These Spillways are designed to produce a vertical sheer with little projection. The spillway lip should protrude far enough over the catch basin to keep the water within the system’s flow.
Lighting Options
Internal Lighting Add-on
Patina Spillway Bowls feature dual inlets in the base of the spillway
bowls. The center one is typically used for as a water inlet, the off-center
can be capped or used for lighting with a proper watertight light assembly.
External Up-lighting Add-on
Our IllumiGlow® Fountain 3 Light Kit will bring your display center stage by
illuminating the water flowing from the spillway in a warm white light, for a
dramatic but soothing evening show.
Maintenance
General Fountain and System Maintenance
- It is OK to run pump continuously 24/7, or you may choose to connect it to a timer.
- Fill evaporated water as necessary or considering installing an Auto Fill Kit #ABDAUTO.
- Add Muck Buster® #PB2682 every couple of weeks to the basin to ensure muck doesn’t build-up over time and clog the pump. 3 tablets treat 500 gallons of water.
- If algae forms on columns, brush off and use CrystalClear® Algae D-Solv® #PB2002 to quickly clear organic debris and remove odors. 1 ounce treats 360 gallons.
- It is OK to run pump continuously 24/7, or you may choose to connect it to a timer.
Winterizing:
- If you live in a climate that experiences prolonged freezing conditions, we recommend removing the pump from the basin. Place the pump in a bucket of water and store it in a place that will not freeze.
- Do not drain the basin during the winter months – allow the water to freeze in the basin so that the ground doesn’t cause the basin to rise or “pop up” from expansion of the freezing soil around it.
- Our metal spillways should be drained and protected to prevent freeze damage during winter months. They may be removed and stored, or covered to prevent re-filling from rain or snow melt.
Spring Start-Up:
- Once everything has thawed in the spring we recommenddraining the water in the basin and replacing it with fresh, clean water. A wet/dry vacuum works well for removing water and accumulated debris.
- Reconnect the pump and plug it in.
- Add Muck Buster® to remove any remaining muck that was not able to be removed manually.
If you need replacement parts please contact us directly at 888-619-3474 or email us at sales@bluethumbponds.com.
Now, snap a picture of your completed waterfall and post it to our Facebook page at facebook.com/bluethumbinc!