Blue Thumb Crystal Sphere Fountain Kit Instruction Manual

Blue Thumb Crystal Sphere Fountain Kit Instruction Manual

INCLUDED:

52.5”square x 20”H Basin with 4 molded supports, 2-piece Grate with screening added, Pump Access Cover, PVC Center Support.

Recommended Tools for Installation:

Shovel, Marking Paint, Level, Rake and/or Tamp

Be certain to avoid underground utilities. If uncertain call your utility company or Miss Dig

STEP 1

Choose Basin Location

Consider your fountain location. Keep it near your preferred viewing area where both water and electricity services are accessible for the pump and fountain you will be adding. If your basin comes with a cardboard cover, you may leave it in place to keep dirt from falling in during installation.Prepare to excavate by using marking paint to trace around your basin about 1”-2” wider than the top. Move basin aside.

STEP 2

Excavation of Basin Area

Using a shovel, dig 21” straight down into the ground, slightly wider than the fountain basin making sure to remove any sharp rocks or roots.

STEP 3

Level and Tamp Soil

Level the bottom of the hole with sand or small gravel and tamp to ensure no settling occurs after installation.

STEP 4

Set Basin in Place

Set basin in the hole and verify that the box top is level and approximately 1” below grade.
Position the basin within the hole. Make sure the pump opening in the grate is orientated near electrical service.

STEP 5

Set Basin in Place Using a level, ensure the fountain basin remains level side to side. The basin should sit solidly on the leveled ground below. Hanging the lip of the basin on the surface can cause the basin to buckle over time.

STEP 6

Backfill

Backfill around the box and soil using excavated soil or self-compacting material such as sand or pea gravel. When using excavated soil be sure to regularly compact with a tamper.
If your basin included a cardboard cover leave it in place while you backfill to prevent soil from falling into the basin.

STEP 6

Backfill

Backfill around the box and soil using excavated soil or self-compacting material such as sand or pea gravel. When using excavated soil be sure to regularly compact with a tamper.
If your basin included a cardboard cover leave it in place while you backfill to prevent soil from falling into the basin.

Crystal Sphere Fountain Kit Diagram

Good to Know Prior to Install:

Fill and Drain Times

(Laid on its side)Turn on the fountain pump. It takes approximately 25-30 minutes to fill the sphere, which then fills the bowl with water. When you turn off the fountain pump, it takes approximately 10-15 minutes to drain the fountain system.

Maintaining Water Level in the Fountain

The pump will fill the sphere, lowering the level of water in the basin. When the sphere is full of water it will spill over from the opening in the top and spill down the sphere onto the base and then into the bowl. At this point your basin will
be about 1/2 empty. Do not add more water to the basin once the pump is running unless the pump is sputtering or drawing air. Overfilling the fountain system will cause the basin to overflow when the pump is turned off.

Keep Vegetation Away from Fountain

Glass refraction may occur while this acrylic fountain sphere fountain is running. The Steel Bowl lowers risk, however, proper maintenance including vegetation **** clearance around equipment will help prevent wildfires.

STEP 1

Place PVC Support & Grate

Place PVC center support in center of basin. The hole in the side of the support should face away from installed grate toward the corner where the pump will sit.
Place the screened grate without pump access onto the clean, water-filled basin.

STEP 2

Connect Plumbing to Pump

1. Connect the PVC discharge assembly to the
2. Then attach black kink-free hose to the discharge

2b

STEP 3

Place Pump in Basin

Place the pump assembly in the basin laying the pump on its side for better hose placement.
Feed the hose through side hole in PVC support and up through the center of the grate, leaving several inches of hose above the grate.

STEP 4

Place the Second Grate

Place remaining screened grate with the pump access on the basin. The access should be over the pump, pull the pump cord through access in the grate without getting the plug wet.

Set up lights according to light kit instructions.

STEP 5

Support Ring Placement

Lay the lights on the basin center next to the extending hose with the cords off to the side toward your electrical source. The light cords will sit underneath the support ring.
Place support ring in the center of the grates. This support ring will allow the metal bowl to be easilyleveled without shims, simply by shifting it.

STEP 6a

Metal Bowl Placement

Lift the bowl onto the support ring and hold at an angle to be able to pass the hose and lights through the hold in the bottom. It helps to have another person for this step.

STEP 6b

Feed Plumbing and Lighting

Tilt and hold the bowl while feeding the hose and lights up through the bottom of the bowl. Gently set the bowl on the ring and visually level it.

STEP 7a

Place Acrylic Sphere Support Cylinder

Place the acrylic support in the center of the bowl while reaching through to pull the lights and water hose through.

STEP 7b

Light Placement

Slide the lights on the three posts on the Support Cylinder. The posts are designed to hold the lights in place. The light cords will still be lying across the basin ready to be plugged in.

STEP 8

Sphere Fountain Placement

Attach the fountain intake assembly to the water flow control at the bottom of the
Lift the sphere and set gently on the bowl’s edge taking care not to scratch it. Carefully balance the sphere in the bowl.
Attach the hose to the other end of the intake

STEP 9

Set Fountain in Place

Notice that the sphere base plate has a groove that matches the diameter of the acrylic support base. Gently lift the sphere and set on the support base so that the groove in the sphere base plate sits perfectly on the acrylic support cylinder’s rim.
It is important that the fountain is leveled before adding water to the sphere and metal bowl as they become very heavy.

STEP 10

First Level the Metal Bowl

Using a 4-foot level, place on the metal bowl from 2-3 positions. Slide the bowl on the support ring to easily adjust without needing shims.

STEP 11

Now Level the Sphere Base Plate

Level the sphere base plate from 2-3 positions as well, adjusting the way the acrylic support sits in the bowl. Do not make adjustments to the sphere once the sphere is full of water.

STEP 12

Fill the Fountain and Plug in Lights

You may plug the lights in at any time. Turn on the fountain pump. It takes 25-30 minutes to fill the sphere, which then fills the bowl with water.
When you turn off the fountain pump, it takes approximately 10-15 minutes to drain.

ENJOY!

Lit up at night or reflecting the surrounding landscape by day, this is a fun unique fountain for any yard or garden.
Tips & Maintenance

General Fountain System Maintenance:

• Add ½ to 1 ounce of algae treatment to the water as A 16oz bottle of Algae D-Solv™ has been included, which should last about 4-6 months. Muck Buster® will break down debris, use according to directions. It is less effective if used during algaecide treatment.
  If you have questions or would like to order more water treatments from Blue Thumb at 888-619-3474 , or online at **shopbluethumb.com.

**

Cleaning the Sphere:

• Always use plenty of Included is an acrylic-safe algae scrub pad. Use to gently wipe the algae from the sphere. For deeper cleaning, you may need to disassemble and remove the sphere from the basin. Use plenty of soapy water and a clean cloth or towel to clean the sphere, its support base and the metal bowl. Rinse thoroughly.
• If the water is excessively dirty, you may need to shut off the fountain and drain the water from the basin. This can be accomplished by using a wet- dry vac to remove water, or using the pump and a garden Attach the garden hose to the pump to out the water from the basin. Once empty, refill and reassemble.

Winterizing:

• 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
• Unplug the fountain. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to drain. Carefully lift the sphere, set it on its edge in the bowl, and disconnect the hose. Tip the sphere over to remove the remaining water. Remove the lights from the sphere support and lift out the

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. Refill with clean Reassemble Fountain. Reconnect the pump and plug it in.
  If you need replacement parts please contact us directly at 888-619-3474 or email us at sales@bluethumbponds.com.

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References

• Blue Thumb | Fountains, Ponds, & Large Lake Supplies
• Blue Thumb | Fountains, Ponds, & Large Lake Supplies

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