Real Stone Single Fountain Kit Installation Manual

Included in this Kit:

• O-ring
• Single Plume Stone Fountain
• Polished Pebbles
• 2 Grate Halves
• Discharge Assembly with Flow Control Valve
• Fountain Pump
• 2 Pump Access Covers
• Pre-cut tubing pieces
• Molded Basin Reservoir

Blue Thumb makes installation of your single plume stone fountain kit easy by following these instructions.

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Getting Started

When choosing your location select an area that is large enough for the basin and possible water overspray. Be certain to avoid underground utilities. If uncertain call your utility company or Miss Dig.

Recommended Tools for Installation:

• ⛏️ Shovel
• ? Marking paint
• ? Level
• ? Rake and/or Tamp
• ? Thin tool for setting the O-ring, like a knife, flathead screwdriver, or key

Achelous AquaBox® Basin Installation

36" Achelous Basin Specs:

• Overall dimensions with lip 39.5" diameter x 16" high
• Full grate dimensions and basin inner seat 36" Dia. x 2.8"H
• Maximum static load 1,000 lbs
• Weight approximately 45 lbs
• 60 gallon capacity

48" Achelous Basin Specs:

• Overall dimensions with lip 51.5" diameter x 16" high
• Full grate dimensions and basin inner seat 48" Dia. x 2.8"H
• Maximum static load 1,500 lbs
• Weight approximately 64 lbs
• 95 gallon capacity

Achelous Molded Reservoir Basin Includes:

• 4 Molded Supports in Reservoir
• 2-piece Basin Grate with Pump Access
• 2 Pump Access Covers
• 1 PVC Center Support Column
• Mesh Sediment Screen

Note: Basin Grates look almost the same top and bottom. However, the top side has the lip that the Pump Access Cover sits on. [Cover Lip]

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 hole is about 2" below grade, allowing you to slope the surrounding terrain toward the basin.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the center is level with the edges of the hole to ensure the center will not sag. 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. [Leveling Tool] [Tamper]

STEP 3: Set Basin in Place

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

Photo illustrating setting the basin in place.

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.

Photo illustrating checking the basin's levelness.

STEP 5: 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.

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

Photo illustrating backfilling around the basin.

Important for Filling your Basin

Once Achelous 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. You may fill your basin with clean water at this point to stabilize the basin, or you may wait until your fountain is in place.

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.

Single Plume Stone Fountain Installation

STEP 1: Place PVC Support & Grate

Place PVC center support in center of basin. The hole in the side of the support should face toward the corner where the pump will sit. Place one of the grates onto the clean basin.

Diagram showing the placement of the PVC center support and grate.

STEP 2: Connect Plumbing to Pump

A pre-assembled flow control assembly comes with your pump. Attach the Flow Control Assembly to the Pump by gently screwing the elbow onto the pump discharge on top of the pump. Do not over tighten. When you turn the assembly onto the pump it will only take about four turns to secure the assembly. Too much torque weakens the connection.

Diagram showing the flow control assembly connected to the pump.

STEP 3: Place Pump in Basin

Securely slide the tubing fully over the gray barb on the pump assembly. Carefully set the pump with assembly in the basin near the Pump Access area for easy access later. Feed the tubing through side hole in PVC center support and up through the center of the grate, leaving several inches of hose above the grate.

Diagram showing the pump placed in the basin with tubing fed through the support.

STEP 4: Place the Screen and the Second Grate

Place the screen over the hose in the center opening. Slide the second grate in place under the screen. The access should be over the pump. Pull the pump cord through access in the grate without getting the plug wet. The cord will pass through the notch in the cover.

Diagram showing the screen and second grate placed, with the pump cord routed.

Step 5a - One-Piece Fountain: Placing a Single Fountain

Lay the Fountain on top of the grates with the bottom hole near the center of the basin. Feed the tubing into the bottom hole of the Fountain. Push tubing through the Fountain leaving 2"- 3" sticking out of the top for o-ring placement. Gently stand the Fountain up so that it sits in the center of the basin taking care not to kink the tubing.

Photo illustrating placing a single fountain onto the grates.

Step 5b - Two-Piece Fountain: Placing a Fountain with a Pedestal

1. This image shows placement of an included support grate for two-piece single plume fountains. This grate adds stability to our 2-piece fountains. The image at left shows a top view placement of the grate between the pump accesses. You may still want to shim your fountain to level it.
2. Lay the Fountain Pedestal on top of the grates with the bottom hole near the center of the basin. Feed the tubing into the bottom hole of the Fountain Pedestal. Push tubing through the Fountain Pedestal leaving enough tubing sticking out for placement of the Fountain Top and o-ring.
3. Stand the Fountain Stand up so that it sits in the center of the basin taking care not to kink the tubing.
4. Place the Fountain Top over the tubing and set securely on the Fountain Stand. Leave 2"- 3" sticking out of the top for o-ring placement.

Securing the tubing with the O-ring is the next step. Before proceeding to Step 6 double check to make sure tubing is loose and not kinked in the basin below.

Photos illustrating the placement of a two-piece fountain with a pedestal.

Step 6: Secure Tubing with O-Ring

6a Slide the o-ring over the tubing extending from the top and push down into fountain hole to set. Push excess tubing back into the basin.

6b Use a knife, flathead screwdriver, or keys to push the o-ring firmly in place while holding the tubing in place.

6c Then push the tubing so it sits just below the top of the fountain surface.

6d The hose should just extend to the inside of the sphere without being visible.

Photos illustrating securing the tubing with the O-ring.

Step 7: Fill with Water

Ensure the basin is clean before adding water by using a vacuum to remove any loose dirt or debris. Adding water completes stabilization of the fountain basin. Fill with water to the bottom of the grate.

Step 8: Test & Adjust Flow

Plug in the fountain pump to test. You can adjust the flow of the water by adjusting the ball valve attached to the pump. Adjust to the desired sound and aesthetic water flow. Splash should be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive refilling. Expect a plume of approximately 1-2" tall.

Step 9: Landscape Finish

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!

We'd love for you to share your new fountain with us and future customers on our social media platforms!

We Recommend Lighting Up Your Fountain Display!

External Up-lighting Add-on

Our IllumiGlow® Fountain 3 Light Kit will bring your bubbling display center stage by illuminating the water flowing down the stone in a warm white light, for a dramatic but soothing evening show.

Easy to install! See light kit instructions.

Kit Item: #PB2897

Image of the IllumiGlow® Fountain 3 Light Kit.

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.

Images of Auto Fill Kit, Muck Buster, and Algae D-Solv products.

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 Real Stone Fountains are manufactured to withstand freezing conditions and can be left outside during the winter months. There is no need to cover them, 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.