Real Stone Tall Triple Fountain Kit

Included in this Kit:

• 3 Stone Fountains
• Polished Pebbles
• 2 Grate Halves
• Pump Access Cover
• Triton Discharge Assembly and 3-way Splitter
• Fountain Pump
• 3 pre-cut tubing pieces
• Flow Control Valves
• Molded Basin Reservoir

Blue Thumb makes installation of your triple column stone fountain kit easy by following these instructions. Subscribe to the Blue Thumb YouTube channel, BlueThumbINC, for related informational videos.

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.

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

Visual Description: Images show a person marking a circular area on the ground for the basin and then digging the hole with a shovel.

STEP 2: Excavation of Basin Area

2a Using a shovel, dig 90 degrees into the ground, slightly wider and deeper than the basin, so it will sit firmly on the ground. Digging 1½"-2" below grade allows you to slope the surrounding terrain toward the basin.

2b Remove any sharp rocks or roots.

Important: Level the bottom of the hole across the entire basin. Add sand or small gravel if needed. Tamp to ensure no settling occurs after installation. Check again to make sure the center is level with the edges.

Visual Description: Images show the process of digging the basin hole, using a level to check the ground, and tamping the soil.

STEP 3: Set Basin in Place

Position the basin within the hole. Make sure the pump opening in the grate is oriented near electrical service. If installing the splash apron, set the basin in the hole and verify that the basin top is level and approximately 2" below grade.

Visual Description: An image shows a person placing the basin into the excavated hole and checking its level.

STEP 4: Level

Using a level, ensure the fountain basin remains level side to side. The basin should sit solidly on the compacted and leveled ground below. Hanging the lip of the basin on the surface can cause the basin center to buckle.

Visual Description: An image shows a person using a level on the basin to ensure it is perfectly horizontal.

STEP 5: Backfill

Backfill around the basin 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.

Note: The more solid the soil is around and below the reservoir, the less shifting over time from settling and rain.

Visual Description: An image shows a person backfilling around the basin with soil and using a tamper to compact it.

STEP 6: Slope and Smooth Ground

Using a shovel, create a gentle slope or berm starting approximately 18" from the edge of the basin. Slope the ground toward the basin lip to help direct any water runoff back into the basin, minimizing water loss. Clear any rocks and tamp to smooth.

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. (Kit Item: #ABDAUTO)

Visual Description: An image shows a person creating a gentle slope around the basin. Another image shows the components of the optional Auto Fill Kit.

Determine Fountain Placement

Before continuing, consider placement of the fountains. They can be as close together or as far apart as you like, taking care not to place fountains too close to basin edges, as this may cause potential water loss from splashing. Also, leave the pump access clear for maintenance. You may mark fountain placement with stones for drilling.

STEP 7: Grate Preparation

You may remove the grate for drilling. Use a 1½" hole saw to drill holes in the grates for the fountain tubing to feed up from the basin and into your fountains.

Note: If the basin has a sediment screen in place, use a knife to cut the screen before drilling.

Important Warning: DO NOT drill in the marked areas in the image on the right. The molded support columns in the basin will be located under these points.

Additionally, notice that the two halves of the installed grate should meet over the wider set of support columns for greatest grate strength. An additional PVC center support may be included for added stability.

Visual Description: An image shows a person drilling holes into the fountain basin grate. The image also highlights areas not to drill.

STEP 8: Connect Pump Plumbing

8a The tubing is in fixed lengths of 8', 7', and 5'. These lengths correspond to the height of the water features, with the longest hose going to the tallest fountain. On the Triton there is a 3/4" expander piece of tubing over the barbed connector. You will slide the 1" tubing over this 3/4" tubing. It's a tight fit, but it is easy if you heat the end of the 1" tubing in hot water to make it pliable.

8b Attach the 90° discharge elbow assembly to the pump.

8c Slide the Triton 3-way splitter valve and tubing onto the discharge assembly. Tighten the hose clamps.

Visual Description: Images show the plumbing components (flow control valves, Triton assembly, pump discharge) and a person connecting the tubing to the pump and splitter.

Internal Plume Lighting Add-on Kit

If your Triple Stone Fountains are pre-drilled for the optional IllumiGlow® Fountain Plume Lighting Kit, follow the instructions provided in the lighting kit before returning to STEP 8. (Kit Item: #PB2903)

Basic RGB LED Plume Lighting Set Up – See lighting kit for full instructions.

Note: When installing lighting with your kit, your tubing will be 3/4" instead of 1", and you will not need tubing expanders when attaching to the pump assembly.

Steps for Lighting Setup:

• STEP 1 Drop the Light Cord (4) from the top of the fountain to the bottom and pull through until set.
• STEP 2 Hold the Light Cord (4) and push the Tubing (3) that is attached to the pump from the bottom up to the top.
• STEP 3A (Fountain top) Connect the Tubing (3) to the Barbed Connector (2) at the bottom of the RGB LED Light (1). You won't need o-rings; the lights will hold the tubing in place.
• STEP 3B (Fountain bottom) Hold the Light Cord (4) while tipping up the fountain, making sure that you don't pinch the Tubing (3).
• STEP 4 At the fountain base, pull the Light Cords (4), lay them above the grate screen, and direct them to the Splitter. Repeat with the other two fountains.

The fountains can be shimmed to balance any tipping. The cords may be covered with Polished Pebbles.

Visual Description: Images show the stone fountains with colored lights, the lighting kit components, and a detailed diagram illustrating the lighting setup with numbered parts including light cords, tubing, RGB LED lights, basin grate, basin, and pump.

STEP 9: Install Splash Apron

If installing a Splash Apron, do this prior to fountain installation.

Cut the Splash Apron:

9a Measure to find the center on the sheet of liner, then measure 20" in each direction from the center point.

9b Cut out a 40" x 40" circle from the splash apron center. This size will leave 4 inches all around to tuck under the basin grate.

Lay the Splash Apron:

9c Lay the splash apron over the open basin. You will want to have the pumps and plumbing set in the basin, and in position to thread hoses through the 2-piece grate once placed.

9d Set screened grates over the liner. Adjust until the positioning of the splash apron is secure and satisfactory.

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.

Visual Description: Images show a person measuring and cutting the splash apron liner, then placing it into the basin with the grates on top.

STEP 10: Install PVC Support and Pump Assembly

Place the grate half with the pump access. If included in your kit, install the PVC Support Column under this grate in the center of the basin. This support provides additional strength with heavier fountains.

10 Place the pump and tubing in the basin. Keep the pump positioned as close to the pump access opening as possible for best accessibility.

Visual Description: An image shows the pump and a PVC support column being placed inside the basin.

STEP 11: Pull Tubing Through

11a During installation, make sure the plumbing has no kinks or twists, which will cause a reduction in water flow, and possibly no flow at all, in that particular line.

11b Pull all three tubing pieces through the grate about 12" or so, noting which is longest and which is shortest. If purchased, put the screen over the tubing, cutting holes to match the drilled grate holes.

Visual Description: Images show people pulling the fountain tubing through the grate.

STEP 12: Fountain Setup

12a Position one of the column fountains near its designated hole in the basin, laying it down with the bottom close to the hose. Feed the correct length of tubing through the bottom of the column, ensuring that the end extends 1-2 inches past the top to make securing the tubing with the O-ring easier.

12b Carefully stand the column upright, ensuring the hose is not pinched underneath. Any excess tubing can be fed back into the basin.

Repeat the process with the remaining column fountains.

Visual Description: Images show a fountain column being positioned, tubing fed through its base, and the column being stood upright.

Step 13: Secure Tubing with O-Ring

13a Slide the o-ring over the tubing extending from the top.

13b Push excess tubing back into the basin so it sits just below the top of the fountain surface. The o-ring will hold the tubing in place.

13c The tubing should just extend to the inside of the fountain without being visible.

Visual Description: Images show an O-ring being slid over the tubing and excess tubing being pushed back into the basin.

Step 14: Testing & Flow Adjustment

If you haven't already added water to the fountain basin, add water until the basin is filled 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 valves with the provided red valve key attached to your pump assembly. 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, use the 3 pieces of 1" x 3/4" clear vinyl and insert them into the ends of the fountain hoses. This will increase the height of the water plumes.

Splash should be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive refilling. The optional Auto Fill Kit (#ABDAUTO) is used to keep the water level topped off with minimal maintenance checks.

Visual Description: An image shows the fountain operating, with water plumes flowing. Another image shows a person adjusting a valve with a key.

Finishing

Cover your basin with Polished Pebbles and surround with your favorite foliage. Avoid placing soil or bark on the grate because it may fall through the screen into the basin and affect water flow.

Enjoy! ?

Maintenance

General Fountain and System Maintenance

• It is OK to run the pump continuously 24/7, or you may choose to connect it to a timer.
• Regularly check the water level in the basin. Never allow the water to drop below the pump, as this can lead to pump failure.
• Fill evaporated water as necessary or consider 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 Crystal Clear® Algae D-Solv® #PB2002 to quickly clear organic debris and remove odors. (1 ounce treats 360 gallons).

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.

Visual Description: Images show the Blue Thumb Auto Fill Kit, Muck Buster product, and Algae D-Solv product. Social media icons for Facebook are also present.