Blue Thumb Double Spillway Bowl Fountain Kit Instruction Manual
- June 12, 2024
- Blue Thumb
Table of Contents
Blue Thumb Double Spillway Bowl Fountain Kit
Product Information
The Double Spillway Bowl Fountain Kit is a brass patina fountain kit designed for easy installation. It comes complete with everything you need to set up a beautiful fountain in your preferred viewing area. The kit is compatible with Brass Kit #ABBDB4K.
Included in the Spillway Kit:
- Double Spillway Bowl
- Basin
- Pump
- Grates
- Excavation instructions
- Lighting options
- Finishing recommendations
Lighting Options:
The Patina Spillway Bowls have dual inlets in the base. The center inlet is
used for water flow, while the off-center inlet can be capped or used for
lighting with a watertight light assembly. You can also add external up-
lighting using Kit Item #PB2897.
Water Refill Frequency:
Normal evaporation of water from the fountain is about 1-2 times per week,
but this can vary depending on factors such as humidity, rainfall, wind, and
splash. Monitor the water level regularly and refill as needed.
Product Usage Instructions
Step 1: Choose Basin Location
- Locate a suitable area near your preferred viewing spot where water and electricity services are accessible.
- Clear the area and mark the fountain basin using marking paint, ensuring you avoid any underground utilities.
Step 2: Excavation of Basin Area
- Using a shovel, dig a hole that is slightly wider and just as deep as the fountain basin, making sure to remove any sharp rocks or roots.
- Tamp the soil underneath the basin to compact it and reduce settling issues later.
- Ensure that the ground is level in all directions.
Step 3: Position Basin and Backfill
- Place the basin within the hole, ensuring that the pump opening in the grate is near the electrical service.
- Use a level to ensure that the fountain basin remains level side to side.
- Carefully backfill the hole with the excavated soil, tightly tamping it around the basin to prevent shifting.
- You can add water to the basin at this time to stabilize it and save time during the installation process.
Step 4: Determine Fountain Placement
Consider the placement of the fountains for optimal viewing. Ensure that
they flow in the desired direction and provide 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. Note that you can adjust the pump access and
bowl positioning after installing the basin, but not the spinweld location.
Once you have completed these steps, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new
fountain! We would love for you to share your new fountain with us and future
customers on our social media platforms!
Thank you for choosing our Brass Patina Double Spillway Fountain Kit. 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!
Included in your Spillway Kit:
- 34” Dia. Brass Patina Spouted Spillway Bowl, with a 12”H Matching Pedestal
- 40” Dia. Brass Patina Unspouted Bowl
- 52” AquaBox Altum Basin with pre-drilled Grate for easy installation
- 3,200 graph IllumiFlow Pump
- 2-way manifold to feed both bowls
- (2) 1” Kink-free Hoses with plumbing connectors
- 5 bags Polished Pebbles
- Plastic Shims
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1 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.
STEP 2 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.
- Tamp to compact soil under the basin to reduce settling issues later.
- Check to make sure the round is level in all directions.
Kit Tips:
- Plumber’s tape or silicone (not included) can be used to provide a watertight connection.
- These bowls 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 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.
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, and 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!
STEP 3 Position Basin and Backfill
- 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 backfill 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.
STEP 4 Determine Fountain Placement
- Consider the placement of the fountains. Make sure the fountains flow 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.
- You are able to move the grates to adjust pump access, and bowl positioning after the basin has been installed, but not the spinweld location.
- The large bowl will need to be completely on the basin to catch water overflow. There is a large drilled hole in a grate near the center of the basin to fit the plumbing assembly through.
- The smaller bowl on a pedestal will sit on the edge of a corner with its spout over the more centered large spillover bowl. There will be a mark on the grate where the 1” hose will easily slide down.
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.
STEP 5 Fountain Plumbing
-
The Smaller Bowl:
- Attach the 1½” intake connector assembly to the inlet in the center of the bottom of the 34” Spillway Bowl. The second inlet is capped with a threaded plug inside the vessel. It may be used for internal lighting if desired.
- Attach the hose to the intake connector assembly centered on the 34” spillway bowl.
- Feed the other end of the hose through the 12” base that the 34” bowl will sit on, then through the hole marked for reference in the grate, and into the reservoir/basin.
- Set the 34” bowl on the pedestal, making sure the hose continues to feed into the basin and has no kinks or twists, which will cause a reduction in water flow, and possibly no flow at all.
-
The Larger Bowl:
- Attach the 1½” intake connector assembly to the inlet in the center of the 40” bowl, the attach the hose to that intake assembly.
- Since this large bowl sits directly on the basin grate, a hole has been drilled so the intake connection doesn’t tip the fountain bowl.
- Feed the other end of the hose through the hole in the grate, and allow the protruding intake assembly to sit within the drilled hole.
- Reach in the basin and pull the hoses so they are easily reachable from the pump access.
STEP 6 Attach Manifold to Pump
- The pump with send water to both bowls through a double manifold, which can be adjusted by turning the red flow control valves.
- Attach the manifold to the pump.
- Now slide through the pump access, turn hose connectors toward the center or the basin and attach the hoses to the manifold discharge assembly.
STEP 7 Pump Set-up
- The fountain pump will be located beneath the pump access panel and inside the fountain basin.
- Keep the pump 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 the power cord outside the basin and away from water. The power cord will pass through the notch on the pump access cover.
STEP 8 Place and Level Fountains
- Place fountain bowls so the 34” bowl spillway flows completely into the 40” uncounted bowl. Splash should be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive refilling. Level the spillway bowls to help direct water flow.
- It is most important to level the Large Bowl, so the spillover is even all around the bowl.
- Add plastic shims where needed to adjust leveling and flow.
STEP 9 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 Spillway Bowls in place, fill your Spillway Bowls with your garden hose.
- Our optional Auto Fill Kit, shown before 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. Adjust water flow by adjusting the red flow control valves, shown on the double manifold.
Maintenance
General Fountain and System Maintenance
- It is OK to run the 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. Usage: 3 tablets treat 500 gallons of water.
- If algae form 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 the 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 and supply line from the basin. Place the pump in a bucket of water and store in a place that will not freeze.
Auto Fill Kit #ABDAUTO
-
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 the expansion of the freezing soil around it.
Muck Buster® #PB2682 -
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 recommend draining 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. Algae D-Solv® #PB2002
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!
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