Blue Thumb PB1199 Small Elite Skimmer Installation Guide

: June 12, 2024
: Blue Thumb

Table of Contents

PB1199, #PB1137, #PB1144**

**Elite Skimmer
Installation Guide
Pro-Level Series Skimmer Boxes

PB1199, #PB1137, #PB1144**

PB1199 Small Elite Skimmer

INCLUDED PARTS

Choose Skimmer Location

The skimmer should be positioned at the pond edge, opposite the waterfall, to circulate the water properly.

Excavation of Skimmer Area

2a Set skimmer box in intended area and spray outline of skimmer for area to be excavated.

2b The skimmer should be positioned so that the face of the skimmer will meet with the pond liner at the side of the pond. Excavate the hole a few inches larger than the width and length of the skimmer box.

2c The skimmer should be set at a depth that positions the top of the skimmer box approximately 5” above your desired pond water level. This will set your water level 1” below the top edge of the snout opening allowing clearance for surface debris to flow into the skimmer during normal operation.

Install Overflow Assembly

3a From inside the skimmer, screw the threaded PVC 90 degree elbow into the overflow spinweld located on the back of the skimmer box (use included Teflon tape on the threads). You can rotate the elbow fitting to one side to control the pond water level. The water level in the pond and skimmer will be able to rise until it begins overflowing into the top of the elbow. The further the elbow is angled down the lower the maximum pond water level will be maintained.

3b From outside the skimmer, screw the male adapter into the overflow spinweld (use Teflon tape on the threads). Then glue flexible PVC hose into the male adapter and run the hose to wherever you’d like the overflow water to drain to.

Insert UniSeal Fittings

From outside the skimmer, insert the UniSeal rubber fittings into the pipe discharge holes of the skimmer. When you are ready to run your pipe into your skimmer you will slide the pipe in through the UniSeal (you may need to lubricate the UniSeal with soap to slide the pipe through). If you are only using one discharge line insert the slip plug into the unused discharge hole.

Install Automatic Water Fill Assembly

If you have purchased the optional Blue Thumb Automatic Water Fill Assembly for this system install it now using the instructions provided with the auto- fill kit. If you are not using the auto-fill kit, from the outside of the skimmer, install the plug into the auto-fill spinweld.

Position & Backfill Skimmer

6a Your skimmer should be level from front to back and side to side. Make sure the base below your skimmer is compacted well to prevent settling in the future.

6b Once the skimmer is properly positioned insert the lower secondary support rod and begin filling the soil in around the back and sides. Be sure to pack the soil as you go to help keep the skimmer in position and to limit any settling around the skimmer. You should pack the soil tight enough so that the skimmer is held in position tightly but not so much as to distort the sides of the skimmer. When installing the larger skimmers, it helps to have someone stand inside the skimmer during the backfill process to keep the skimmer from moving while you are packing the dirt around it.

Attach Rubber Liner to Skimmer

7a Bring the liner up to the skimmer and check the positioning of the liner against the skimmer. Use the included liner clips to temporarily hold the liner to the face of the skimmer. Be sure the liner follows the contours of the pond and the face of the skimmer.

7b It is a good idea to leave a little slack in the liner where it transitions from the pond ledge to the face of the skimmer. This will ensure that the weight of any rockwork and water in the pond do not pull down on the liner where it is attached to the skimmer.
[For the next steps you will need: cordless screwdriver (set to lowest torque), 5/16” nut driver bit, 3” bit extension, plastic guide nails (included), skimmer snout (included), silicone (included), stainless steel self-tapping screws (included), black vinyl screw caps (included), utility knife (with new blade), & a clean rag.]

7c Kneel in front of the skimmer and remove the liner clips and fold the liner back toward you leaving it rest on your lap. Using the clean rag wipe down the face of the skimmer. Also, wipe the surface of the liner that will be coming in contact with the area you cleaned on the skimmer box.

7d Apply a bead of silicone along the sides and bottom of the opening of the face of the skimmer. Use one of the two guide holes at the top corners of the opening as the starting point and begin by running your bead straight down from that point. The bead of silicone should be about an inch out from the edge of the opening; this will position it in-line with the screws when you attach the skimmer snout.

7e Bring the liner back up into position against the face of the skimmer. Hold the liner in place again with the liner clips to help keep it from moving around as you prepare to attach the snout. Gently run your fingers along the liner over the area you applied the silicone and flatten the bead out slightly. This will help ensure a more even distribution of the silicone as you compress it while screwing down the snout.

7f Push the guide nails through the guide holes and liner from the inside of the skimmer This will puncture a small hole in the liner.

7g Place the snout into position by sliding the top corner holes of the snout over the guide nails.

7h The snout should be installed so that the snout door hinges at the bottom and opens into the skimmer.
7i While holding the snout in position remove one of the guide nails and drive the first screw into that hole. Keeping the snout in position, remove the other guide nail and drive a screw into the second guide hole. With the snout now held into position by the first two screws, continue driving the remaining screws into the pre-drilled holes around the snout.

7j Be sure to install screws into all pre-drilled holes to prevent water from leaking around the snout.

7k From inside the skimmer use your utility knife to cut out the liner in the snout area so water can flow from the pond into the skimmer. Simply follow the edge of the skimmer opening with your knife to cut away liner. This works best with a new, sharp blade. At this time you can also trim away any excess liner that extends above the front top edge of the skimmer box.

7l Use your remaining silicone to run an additional bead along the joint inside of the snout where the skimmer, liner, and snout come together. Use your finger to smooth out the excess silicone.

Install Black Screw Caps

Push the black screw caps onto each of the screw tips on the inside of the skimmer box. We recommend placing a small dab of silicone on the end of the screw first before pushing the black cap over the screw. This will help keep the screw caps in place.

Install Submersible Pump

(not included in this box)
9a Screw your pre-assembled pump discharge assembly into your pump.

9b Position your pump and discharge assembly in the back chamber of the skimmer so that the top of the discharge assembly faces your chosen discharge hole. Bring the flexible pipe into the skimmer through the discharge hole/UniSeal and attach it to your discharge assembly.

9c Run the pump power cord over to the power source and position the cord so that it transitions out of the skimmer at the cord notch; this will allow the Natural Landscape Lid to sit flush on the skimmer.

Finishing Touches

10a Slide the mechanical media mat and mat holder into position.

10b Slide the black mesh skimmer net into position.
During normal operation the skimmer net will remove larger leaves and debris while the mat will remove the smaller particles allowing the clean water to flow into the pump chamber area where it can be re-circulated back to the pond, preferably via the appropriately sized Blue Thumb Biological Waterfall Filter.

10c Place the Natural Landscape Lid on top of the skimmer to disguise the skimmer within the landscape.

SKIMMER MAINTENANCE

When necessary remove and clean the net and mat located in the skimmer. If the water level, where the pump is located, is lower than the water level in the pond than the skimmer mat and net need to be cleaned. This typically needs to be done every 10-14 days but will vary depending on the amount of debris falling into the pond, fish load, and feeding regimen.

Winter Maintenance: Remove pump in climates that have prolonged freezing periods, then store the pump in a bucket of water where it can not freeze. This will help keep the pump seals from drying out. Rinse out your media mat and net and store for the winter.

WATERFALL BOX MAINTENANCE
Usually once per year you should remove the filter media located in your waterfall box and clean thoroughly to remove the debris that has collected over time. This should only be done when water temperatures are coldest or below 50°F.
Clean and rinse the media using water collected from the pond when possible. Chlorinated tap water can kill the beneficial bacteria living on the media.

EVAPORATION
If you are not using the Blue Thumb Automatic Fill Valve then you will need to occasionally replace any evaporated water. This can be done using a garden hose. If you are using tap water that contains chlorine and you have fish then be sure to add Blue Thumb’s Purify to the pond as you add water. Add water until the water level reaches to within 3/4” – 1” below the opening of the skimmer box.

SPRING START-UP

Reconnect your pump and re-install any media that was removed for winter storage. It is generally a good idea to drain the pond and clean any debris that has accumulated out each spring.

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Documents / Resources

| Blue Thumb PB1199 Small Elite Skimmer [pdf] Installation Guide
PB1199 Small Elite Skimmer, PB1199, Small Elite Skimmer, Elite Skimmer, Skimmer
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