Blue Thumb Ponds PB1649 Formal Falls Kit Instruction Manual
- October 31, 2023
- Blue Thumb Ponds
Table of Contents
Blue Thumb Ponds PB1649 Formal Falls Kit
Included in this Formal
Falls® Kit:
- Formal Falls® Stainless Spillway
- Formal Falls® Basin with Light
- Blue Thumb Pump
- Pump Pre-filter Sock
STEP 1
Prepare Base Layer for Build Install an appropriate and suitable level of base
to lay the block wall and Formal Falls® Kit.
STEP 2
Determine Plumbing Placement Choose which Formal Falls® Basin side will be
plumbed for water cycling. Close off the remaining side with provided fitting,
wrapping the threads with Teflon tape to prevent leakage. Set the basin in
place to begin building the back wall, adjusting for plumbing height.
STEP 3
Attach Discharge Assembly to Pump Thread the discharge assembly provided in
the kit on to the pump, making sure all PVC fittings have been primed and
glued. Place the pump pre-filter sock into the basin chamber.
STEP 4
Place the Assembled Pump in Basin a. Place the pump into the pre-filter sock
and close draw strings. b. Attach discharge assembly to outlet and tighten
clamp. c. Pull out the power cord for proper basin placement through the notch
in basin.
The Formal Falls® Basin protects the Pump & Plumbing Assembly. Decorative stones disguise the molded basin and Flex Hose. The Pump circulates water from the Basin into a Formal Falls® Stainless Weir, which cascades the waterfall down into the basin and the cycle begins again.
STEP 5
Continue Block Wall Build Continue building the block wall to the desired
falls height. We recommend that the overall height of the waterfall not exceed
24″ in height. Placing the unit higher increases the likelihood of wind
related water loss.
STEP 6
Attach PVC Elbow to Basin With the basin placed against the wall, cut a piece
from the included flex hose that is long enough to extend from the basin
through the wall and attach a 90-degree elbow. This length will be determined
by the thickness of your wall.
STEP 7
Attach PVC Fittings to Spillway InletS) Place the Formal Falls unit on block
wall. No bridge is needed above your weir, that support is built into our
Formal Falls weir. Wrap Teflon tape onto the thread of the fittings attaching
spillway inlet(s) and PVC elbows and T’s, as provided in your specific kit.
STEP 8
Connect Spillway to Basin Cut lengths from of the supplied flex hose for
attachment of spillway inlets. Glue the assembled inlet fitting to the pump
discharge assembly elbow.
STEP 9
Complete the Block Wall Build and Fill with Water Continue constructing the
wall around the front of the basin. Add decorative gravel to the top of the
basin. Be sure to leave an area void of gravel where the water will hit the
anti-splash mat. Fill the basin with water, then plug in the pump and enjoy!
Optional Lighting Kit
If you have the optional pre-installed light kit on your Formal Falls® basin, plug in and use the included infrared remote to turn on. You must point the remote at the light to operate it.
Maintenance
General Fountain and System Maintenance
- 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 spillway opening use CrystalClear® Algae D-Solv® #PB2002. 1 ounce treats 360 gallons.
- It is OK to run pump continuously 24/7, or you may choose to connect it to a timer.
- If your water flow splits, use a pipe cleaner to clear any lodged debris from the weir opening.
Auto Fill Kit #ABDAUTO
Muck Buster® #PB2682
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. Once pump and plumbing assembly are removed the Formal Falls® spillway will drain.
- You do not drain the basin during the winter months.
Algae D-Solv® #PB2002
Spring Start-Up:
- Once everything has thawed in the spring, we recommend draining the water in the basin by using a Shop-Vac or wet/dry vac and replacing it with fresh, clean water.
- Reconnect the pump and plug it in.
- Add Muck Buster® to remove any remaining muck that was not able to be removed manually.
Now, snap a picture of your completed waterfall and post it to our Facebook page at facebook.com/bluethumbinc!