Blue Thumb Crystal Sphere Luxury Fountain Kit Installation Guide

Blue Thumb Crystal Sphere Luxury Fountain Kit

Specifications

• Overall Fountain Height: 33″
• Basin Dimensions: 52.5″ square x 20″H
• Capacity: 220 gallons
• Pump: 1110gph Mag-Drive Pump
• Materials: HRCS Steel Bowl, PVC Support Pipe, Acrylic Support Base

Product Usage Instructions

• Step 1: Choose Basin Location
  Consider the fountain location near accessible water and electricity sources. Use marking paint to trace around the basin and prepare to excavate.

• Step 2: Excavation of Basin Area
  Dig straight down into the ground, wider than the basin, removing any rocks or roots.

• Step 3: Level and Tamp Soil
  Level the bottom with sand or gravel and tamp to prevent settling after installation.

• Step 4: Set Basin in Place
  Ensure the basin is level and positioned correctly in the hole, orientating the pump opening near electrical service.

• Step 5: Verify Basin Level
  Check and adjust the basin level side to side to prevent future issues.

• Step 6: Backfill
  Use excavated soil or self-compacting material to backfill around the basin, compacting regularly to stabilize.

Filling the Basin

Clean and fill the basin with clean water after installation. Keep water clear to maintain the fountain’s appearance.

ALTUM AQUABOX® BASIN INSTALLATION

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.

Important for Filling your Basin

Once Altum Basin is in place, clean and fill basin
Remove cardboard and vacuum out any dirt that may have fallen into the basin then wipe clean before adding water. It is very important to keep your water as clear as possible with this fountain style. Any floating particulate can be seen in the sphere.
You may fill your basin with clean water at this point.

Crystal Sphere Fountain Kit Diagram

Good to Know Prior to Install

Fill and Drain Times
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.

CRYSTAL SPHERE FOUNTAIN INSTALLATION

STEP 1
Place PVC Support & Grate

Place PVC center support in the center of the basin. The hole in the side of the support should face away from the 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

• a. Connect the PVC discharge assembly to the pump.
• b. Then attach a black kink-free hose to the discharge assembly.

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 the side hole in the PVC support and up through the center of the grate, leaving several inches of hose above the grate.

STEP 4
Place the Second-grade

Place the 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 the support ring in the center of the grates. This support ring will allow the metal bowl to be easily leveled without shims, simply by shifting it.

STEP 6

• a. 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.

• b. 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 7

• a. 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.

• b. 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

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

• b. Attach the hose to the other end of the intake assembly.

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 needed. 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 water. 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 hose. 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 it.

• 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 support.

• We suggest cleaning before storing. You may place a small bag or cover over the lights and the hose and leave for winter. Leave the
  water in the basin over winter. Before restarting the fountain in the spring, you may want to empty the basin of water, clean the pump
  and pump filter, and refill with clean water.

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 water. 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.

www.shopbluethumb.com

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

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to fill and drain the fountain system?

A: It takes approximately 25-30 minutes to fill the sphere and bowl when the pump is on. When turned off, draining takes about 10-15 minutes.

References

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

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