Double Spillway Bowl Fountain Kit Installation Manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing our Brass Patina Double Spillway Fountain Kit. This kit comes complete with everything you need for an easy installation. Please read carefully and when directed, please reference specific product manuals for detailed product installation guidance, and you'll have your fountain up and running in no time!

Included in your Spillway Kit:

• 34" Dia. Brass Patina Spouted Spillway Bowl, with a 12"H Matching Pedestal
• 40" Dia. Brass Patina Unspouted Bowl
• 52" AquaBox Altum Basin with pre-drilled Grate for easy installation
• 3,200 gph IllumiFlow Pump
• 2-way manifold to feed both bowls
• (2) 1" Kink-free Hoses with plumbing connectors
• 5 bags Polished Pebbles
• Plastic Shims

Installation Steps

STEP 1: Choose Basin Location

Locate your fountain near your preferred viewing area where both water and electricity services are accessible. [Location icon ?]

Image Description: A person's hands are shown using red spray paint to mark an area on the ground, indicating the layout for the fountain basin.

Clear the area and prepare to excavate by tracing the fountain basin using marking paint.

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

STEP 2: Excavation of Basin Area

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.

Image Description: A person is actively digging a hole in the ground with a shovel. The hole appears to be the approximate size and depth needed for the fountain basin.

Image Description: A person is using a flat tamper tool to compact the soil at the bottom of the excavated hole, ensuring a stable foundation.

Image Description: A person is using a spirit level to check if the excavated area is perfectly level in all directions, crucial for proper basin placement.

Tamp to compact soil under the basin to reduce settling issues later.

Check to make sure the ground is level in all directions.

STEP 3: Position Basin and Backfill

Place the basin within the hole. Make sure the pump opening in the grate is oriented near electrical service. Using a 2-4 ft. level, ensure the fountain basin remains level side to side.

Image Description: A person is carefully lowering the fountain basin into the pre-dug hole in the ground.

Image Description: A person is using a long spirit level to ensure the fountain basin is perfectly level within the hole.

Image Description: A person is backfilling the excavated soil around the fountain basin, tamping it down to secure the structure.

Once the fountain basin is level, carefully backfill using excavated soil. Tamping the soil tightly around the basin to prevent shifting.

Consider adding water to the basin at this time to complete the stabilization of the basin and save time during the installation process.

STEP 4: Determine Fountain Placement

Consider placement of the fountains. Make sure the fountains flow in the direction for best viewing, while providing easy access to an electric source for both the pump access in the grate, and the auto-fill spinweld located on the side of the basin.

You are able to move the grates to adjust pump access, and bowl positioning after the basin has been installed, but not the spinweld location.

The large bowl will need to be completely on the basin to catch water overflow. There is a large drilled hole in a grate near the center of the basin to fit the plumbing assembly through.

The smaller bowl on a pedestal will sit on the edge of a corner with its spout over the more centered large spillover bowl. There will be a mark on the grate where the 1" hose will easily slide down.

Image Description: A schematic illustration showing the placement of the two fountain bowls. The larger, unspouted bowl sits directly on the basin's grate. The smaller, spouted bowl is placed on its 12" pedestal, positioned on the edge of the grate, with its spout directed towards the larger bowl. The diagram also highlights the 'Pump Access Cover'.

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

Image Description: Components of the Optional Auto Fill Kit, including tubing, connectors, and a valve.

STEP 5: Fountain Plumbing

The Smaller Bowl: Attach 1½" intake connector assembly to the inlet in the center of the bottom of the 34" Spillway Bowl. The second inlet is capped with a threaded plug inside the vessel. It may be used for internal lighting, if desired.

Image Description: A person is attaching a hose connector assembly to the bottom inlet of the smaller, spouted fountain bowl.

Attach hose to the intake connector assembly centered on the 34" spillway bowl.

Image Description: A hand is feeding a hose through the 12" base that supports the smaller bowl, guiding it towards the reservoir.

Feed the other end of the hose through the 12" base that the 34" bowl will sit on, then through the hole marked for reference in the grate, and into the reservoir/basin.

Image Description: The smaller bowl is being placed onto its pedestal, with the hose already fed through the base and ready to enter the basin.

Set the 34" bowl on the pedestal, making sure the hose continues to feed into the basin and has no kinks or twists, which will cause a reduction in water flow, and possibly no flow at all.

The Larger Bowl: Attach 1½" intake connector assembly to the inlet in the center of the 40" bowl, then attach the hose to that intake assembly. Since this large bowl sits directly on the basin grate, a hole has been drilled so the intake connection doesn't tip the fountain bowl. Feed the other end of the hose through the hole in the grate, and allow the protruding intake assembly to sit within the drilled hole.

Image Description: A person is attaching a hose to the intake connector assembly on the larger, unspouted bowl.

Reach in the basin and pull the hoses so they are easily reachable from the pump access.

STEP 6: Attach Manifold to Pump

The pump will send water to both bowls through a double manifold, which can be adjusted by turning the red flow control valves. Attach the manifold to the pump.

Image Description: Multiple close-up views show the process of attaching the double manifold to the pump. The red flow control valves on the manifold are clearly visible. Hoses are being connected to the manifold's discharge ports.

Now slide through the pump access, turn hose connectors toward the center of the basin and attach the hoses to the manifold discharge assembly.

STEP 7: Pump Set-up

The fountain pump will be located beneath the pump access panel and inside the fountain basin. Keep the pump positioned as close to the pump access opening as possible for best accessibility. This pump can be installed on its side; it will run in either position.

Image Description: A person is positioning the fountain pump inside the main basin, close to the pump access opening for easy reach.

Keep power cord outside the basin and away from water. The power cord will pass through the notch on the pump access cover.

STEP 8: Place and Level Fountains

Place fountain bowls so the 34" bowl spillway flows completely into the 40" unspouted bowl. Splash should be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive refilling.

Image Description: A person is using a spirit level to check the levelness of the smaller spillway bowl on its pedestal, ensuring water flows correctly.

Image Description: Another view of leveling the spillway bowls, with a spirit level placed across the top rim.

Image Description: A different angle showing the process of leveling the fountain bowls, emphasizing the importance of an even spillover.

Level the spillway bowls to help direct water flow. It is most important to level the Large Bowl, so the spillover is even all around the bowl.

Image Description: A person is adding plastic shims under the edge of a fountain bowl to adjust its level.

Add plastic shims where needed to adjust leveling and flow.

STEP 9: Fill and Test

If you haven't already added water to the fountain basin, use a garden hose to add water until the basin is filled to the bottom of the grates.

Image Description: A close-up detail of the connection point for the optional Auto Fill Kit within the fountain basin.

With your Spillway Bowls in place, fill your Spillway Bowls with your garden hose.

Our optional Auto Fill Kit, shown before Step 5, may be used to keep the water level topped off with minimal maintenance checks.

Plug in the pump cord to test your fountain. Adjust water flow by adjusting the red flow control valves, shown on the double manifold.

Finishing

Select decorative gravel that compliments your fountain, adjacent landscape and is sized appropriately to not fall through the cracks of the grates into the fountain basin.

For the best look, consider adding plants and moisture loving ground covers around the footprint of the fountain basin, or adding a lighting kit.

Image Description: A beautiful outdoor scene featuring a two-tiered fountain made of distressed, greenish-blue (patina) bowls. Water cascades from the upper bowl into the lower one. The fountain is surrounded by lush green foliage and colorful flowers. The Blue Thumb logo is visible.

Image Description: A wide shot of a completed Double Spillway Bowl Fountain Kit installed in a garden setting. The fountain is surrounded by polished black pebbles and various plants. Water is flowing, creating a serene atmosphere.

Image Description: Another perspective of the completed fountain, showing the two tiers of bowls and the water flow, set against a paved patio area with potted plants.

ENJOY!

Grab your favorite beverage, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new fountain!

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

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.
• 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. Usage: 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.

Image Description: A product shot of the components of the Blue Thumb Auto Fill Kit (#ABDAUTO).

Image Description: A product shot of the Muck Buster® (#PB2682) bottle, a pond treatment product.

Image Description: A product shot of the CrystalClear® Algae D-Solv® (#PB2002) bottle, used for clearing organic debris and odors.

Winterizing:

• If you live in a climate that experiences prolonged freezing conditions, we recommend removing the pump and supply line from the basin. Place the pump in a bucket of water and store 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 metal spillways should be drained and protected to prevent freeze damage during winter months. They may be removed and stored, or covered to prevent re-filling from rain or snow melt.

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.