Blue Thumb PB2897 Zenshu Fountain Kit Installation Guide

: June 12, 2024
: Blue Thumb

Table of Contents

Blue Thumb PB2897 Zenshu Fountain Kit
Included in this Kit
Maintenance
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Blue Thumb PB2897 Zenshu Fountain Kit

Included in this Kit

Blue Thumb makes installation of your Large Stone Fountain Kit 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 can be followed for our larger square Altum Basin.

STEP 1
Choose Location for Basin

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.

Bathe your water feature in warm white light. Waterproof lighting automatically transforms your Yard or Garden from dusk to dawn.

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.

STEP 9
Cover the Grate
The PVC spacer is hardly viewable and easily disguised with polished pebbles while providing easier access for movement of the fountain at any future date.

Finishing
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!

Large Stone fountain with us and future customers

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 around the basin using excavated soil.

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

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 4
Pump Plumbing

4a Attach 90-degree discharge assembly to pump. Attach the red flow control valve and tubing to the discharge assembly. Tighten hose clamps.
Place the assembled pump in the fountain basin. Position the pump as close as possible to the pump access opening for best accessibility. Lay the tubing in the basin for now.
4b If extra support is required, place the provided white PVC center support in the center of the basin. This support provides additional strength with heavier fountains.
Consider adding water to the basin at this time to complete the stabilization of the basin and save time during the installation process. Make sure the power plug is pulled out of the basin before filling.

STEP 5
Placement of Grates
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. Make sure the PVC center support sits in the center of the basin under the grate for added strength. STEP 6
Tubing Install
Thread the tubing from the pump into the hole
in the side of the PVC center support and up through the top of the support and through. Now pull the tubing through the hole in the center of grate. Install the second grate making sure the tubing has no kinks or twists, which will cause a reduction in water flow, and possibly no flow at all.

STEP 7
Fountain Setup with PVC Spacers, if Included

7a Place 1.5” high PVC spacers at the corners of your Large Stone Fountain. These spacers make removal of installation straps easier.
7b Lower the Stone Fountain onto the basin and feed correct length of tubing through the bottom of the column until the end of the tubing gets within 1-2” of the top.
7c With the stone in place, the PVC spacer is hardly viewable and easily disguised with Polished Pebbles.
Excess tubing may be fed back into the basin.

STEP 8
Testing

8a If you haven’t already added water to the fountain basin, pull out the plug and add water until the basin is full to the bottom of the grates. Plug in the pump cord to test your fountain.
8b Set the water flow and plume height by adjusting the valve with the provided red valve key.
8c Use the included plastic shims to level the fountains for even water flow over the columns.

If the height of the plumes is still lacking, insert a piece of 1” x ¾” clear vinyl into the end of the fountain tubing. Reducing the tubing size will increase the height of the water plumes.
Splash should be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive refilling.

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. Our optional Auto Fill Kit, shown after Step 3, is used to keep the water level topped off.

Low water plume
High water plume

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 Rock Columns are manufactured to withstand freezing conditions and can be left outside during the winter months. There is no need to cover the Rock Columns, but you may do so if you desire.

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.

www.shopbluethumb.com

Now, snap a picture of your completed waterfall and post it to our Facebook page at facebook.com/bluethumbinc!