Blue Thumb Copper Fountain Kit Installation Guide
- June 12, 2024
- Blue Thumb
Table of Contents
Blue Thumb Copper Fountain Kit
PRODUCT INFORMATION
- For use with Copper Tree and Glass Flower Fountains
- High-efficiency Pump in a Stainless Prefilter Mesh Bag
- Tubing and plumbing filltings
- Kink-Free Hose
- Flow Control Ball Valve
- Pre-Assembled Pump Plumbing
- Blue Thumb makes installation of your Copper Fountain Kit super easy by following these instructions. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, BlueThumbINC, for related informational videos.
- This manual shows installation of our round Achelous Basin, however, these steps are also used for our larger square Altum Basin.
About Copper Fountains
Copper is a delicate yet durable metal. Keeping your beautiful, unique investment in optimal working order isn’t difficult if you are aware of a few situations depending on temperature and weather severity in your area. Overall, minimal maintenance is required for our Copper Fountains and these tips should help with our goal for you to spend more time enjoying your water feature than working on it.
- Copper Leaves: Small leaves and/or branches may detach from the tree from time to time (wind, physical damage, seasonal changes). This is normal and can be remedied by soldering/gluing them back on.
- Patina: When oxygen in the air interacts with the metal atoms in the presence of water, the formation of patina occurs. Very noticeable and desirable in copper decor, your fountain will change color over time as patina develops.
Product Usage Instructions
- Step 1: Choose Basin Location
- Locate your fountain near your preferred viewing area where both water and electricity services are accessible. Be certain to avoid underground utilities.
- Clear the area and prepare to excavate by tracing the Fountain Basin using marking paint.
- 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.
- If installing a splash apron, make sure the basin is about 1 1/2 below grade, allowing you to slope the surrounding terrain toward the basin.
- 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. Item: #ABDAUTO
- Step 3: 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 backfill using excavated soil.
- Step 4: Grate Placement
- Install one of the grates at this time. Place the grate so that the center line aligns with the sticker on basin edge. This positioning provides the most stability for the grates to support the fountain.
- Install the second grate. If a PVC support is provided for a heavier fountain, make sure it sits in the center of the basin under the grates.
- Note: Our round 48 Achelous Basin has 4 built-in support columns. For best fountain support, the seam of the two grate pieces should meet over the wider set of supports.
- Step 5: Pump Plumbing
- Water clarity is very important with the fine water.
- Connect the high-efficiency pump to the tubing and plumbing fittings.
- Place the pump in the stainless prefilter mesh bag.
- Attach the kink-free hose to the pump.
- Install the flow control ball valve to regulate water flow.
- Ensure that the pre-assembled pump plumbing is securely connected.
Included in this Kit
- Copper Fountain
- AquaBox® Basin
- Pre-filtered Pump and Plumbing Assembly (below)
Blue Thumb makes installation of your Copper Fountain Kit super easy by
following these instructions. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, BlueThumbINC,
for related informational videos.
This manual shows installation of our round Achelous Basin, however,
these steps are also used for our larger square Altum Basin.
ABOUT COPPER FOUNTAINS
Copper is a delicate yet durable metal
Keeping your beautiful, unique investment in optimal working order isn’t
difficult if you are aware of a few situations depending on temperature and
weather severity in your area. Overall, minimal maintenance is required for
our Copper Fountains and these tips should help with our goal for you to spend
more time enjoying your water feature than working on it.
Our Copper Trees and Flowers are handmade by our designer in the most tranquil place in the midst of the deep woodlands in England. Every single element of these sculpted fountains, including the leaves, are hand cut and hand made creating the most beautiful of fountains. No two pieces are exactly identical ensuring individuality and zest in all designs. Even better, you may add your own touch by adjusting the leaves to create your own water flow design. Do this by gently bending the leaves until you achieve the look and flow that you desire.
Copper Leaves
Small leaves and/or branches may detach from the tree from time to time (wind,
physical damage, seasonal changes). This is normal and can be remedied by
soldering/gluing them back on.
Patina
When oxygen in the air interacts with the metal atoms in the presence of
water, the formation of patina occurs. Very noticeable and desirable in copper
decor, your fountain will change color over time as patina develops.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION
-
STEP 1 Choose Basin Location
- 1a Locate your fountain near your preferred viewing area where both water and electricity services are accessible. Be certain to avoid underground utilities.
- 1b Clear the area and prepare to excavate by tracing the Fountain Basin using marking paint.
-
STEP 2 Excavation of Basin Area
- 2a 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.
- 2b NOTE: If installing a splash apron, make sure the basin is about 1½” below grade, allowing you to slope the surrounding terrain toward the basin.
-
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.
Item: #ABDAUTO -
STEP 3 Position & Backfill Basin
- 3a 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.
- 3b Once the Fountain Basin is level, carefully backfill using excavated soil.
-
STEP 4 Grate Placement
- Install one of the grates at this time. Place the grate so that the center line aligns with the sticker on basin edge. This positioning provides the most stability for the grates to support the fountain.
- Install the second grate. If a PVC support is provided for a heavier fountain, make sure it sits in the center of the basin under the grates.
Note: Our round 48” Achelous Basin has 4 built-in support columns. For best fountain support the seam of the two grate pieces should meet over the wider set of supports.
-
STEP 5 Pump Plumbing
-
5a Water clarity is very important with the fine water pipes of Copper Fountains. The included pump will have shipped in a Stainless Steel Mesh Filter Bag. This fine mesh bag is a filter that has been created especially for these fountains so no debris is allowed to reach the tiny copper pipes running through the branches. This bag should be scrubbed clean every few months to clear accumulation of any algae that collects on the filter.
The mesh bag must protect the pump at all times to ensure that the fine copper tubing used in these fountain designs do not become clogged over time. -
5b Place the pre-assembled pump plumbing in the basin. The pump will be located beneath the pump access panel and inside the Fountain Basin. Keep the pump positioned as close as possible to the pump access opening in the grate for best accessibility.
-
5c Pull power cord through pump access cover notch and set to the side.
Consider adding water to the basin at this time to complete the stabilization of the basin and save time during the installation process.
-
-
STEP 6 – Fountain Set-Up
Fountain set-up is super easy with your pre-assembled pump plumbing. Simply connect your hose! The plumbing connection point will vary with the style of your Copper Fountain as shown here:- Option A Cement Support Block Setup (for Larger Fountains)
- 6a Slide hose through center of the grate. Position the cement support block so you can thread the hose up through the hole on the bottom hole in the cement block.
- 6b Take care to pull the hose through the top so that it does not kink or catch when lying the block flat on the basin.
- 6c Center the cement block support and feed hose into the “trunk” bottom of your Copper Tree.
- 6d Continue to slide the tree trunk over the hose and down into the of cement block support to secure the fountain.
* **Options B & C Copper Stand Setup** Our lighter Copper Trees and Flowers come with an attached copper stand. Installation is simple, either through the side pipe or through the bottom, depending on the fountain.
* **Option B** Slide the Hose over the side pipe.
* **Option C** Slide the Hose through the hole in the bottom of the fountain.-
STEP 7 Testing
- If you haven’t already added water to the Fountain Basin, add water until the basin is full (to the bottom of the grates). Plug in the pump cord to test your fountain.
- Set the water flow and plume height by adjusting the valve with the provided red valve key.
- Splash should be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive refilling.
-
Finishing
Cover the Grate- Select decorative gravel that compliments your selected fountain, adjacent landscape and is sized appropriately to not fall through the holes in the Fountain Basin grates.
- For the best look, consider adding plants and moisture loving ground covers around the footprint of the Fountain Basin, or adding a fountain up-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!
External Up-lighting Add-on
Our IllumiGlow® Fountain 3 Light Kit will bring your bubbling display center
stage by illuminating the columns and water flowing down the rocks in a warm
white light, for a dramatic but soothing evening show.
Copper Tree and Flower General Care Tips
Keeping Water Clear
Water clarity is important! The included pump will have shipped in a stainless
steel mesh filter bag that should be scrubbed clean every few months to clear
accumulation of any algae that collects on the filter. This fine mesh is a
filter that has been created especially for these fountains so no debris is
allowed to reach the tiny pipes running through the branches.
- The mesh bag must protect the pump at all times to ensure that the fine tubing used in our copper fountain designs do not become clogged over time.
- To Clean the Stainless Mesh Bag: Turn off the fountain. Access the pump through the hatch. Pull out the pump assembly. Clean with running water and a sponge, making sure water flows through the bag freely before reinstalling.
- To Clean your AquaBox® Basin: With the fountain turned off, pump out the water using a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much sediment as possible. Once you have finished cleaning the basin, refill with clean water. Just remember to add your beneficial bacteria after you refill to keep it looking clean and optimize pump flow.
System Checks
Inspect pump, tubing, and connections regularly to make sure everything is
running smoothly, and no damage has been sustained. Look for leaks where you
could be losing water.
Water Level Monitoring
Pumps need a constant supply of water, if your water level drops too much it
can damage your pump and you will need to replace it. Check water levels in
basin and top off from time to time or install an Automatic Water Fill Kit
(Item# PB1342) to automatically refill evaporated and splashed water.
FOR EXTREME HOT WEATHER
If you live in the desert regions or where temperatures climb above 100
degrees, copper leaves can become so hot they may “wilt.” Copper is very
pliable so the leaves can be pressed and shaped back into shape, but you may
consider moving the fountain to a shadier area.
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.
Winterizing:
- Freezing can burst the copper pipe branches of your Copper Tree Fountain and also cause issues with your fountain’s pump system. To prevent the risk of damage:
- FOR AREAS THAT DIP BELOW FREEZING disconnect the pump from the fountain during these spells.
- IF TEMPS ARE BELOW FREEZING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME, as in Northern States where copper water pipes are known to burst when frozen, we recommend removing both the pump and fountain for the winter.
- DO NOT DRAIN THE BASIN FOR THE WINTER. It is best to keep the basin at least 50% filled with water to avoid heaving during freeze and thaw. Drain and refill in spring during your seasonal cleaning.
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.
- Visually inspect your pump for damage before reconnecting. Make sure the mesh filter bag is clean, so the pump doesn’t get blocked and cause damage or failure. Place pump in your basin and connect the plumbing..
- Add Muck Buster® to the running fountain to replenish good bacteria to further break down any remaining waste.
If you need replacement parts please contact us directly at 888-619-3474 or email us at [email protected].