Blue Thumb Copper Fountain Kit User manual

For use with
Copper Tree and
Glass Flower Fountains
Copper Fountain Kit
Installation Manual
www.shopbluethumb.com

• Copper Fountain
• AquaBox®Basin
• Pre-ltered Pump and Plumbing Assembly (below)
This manual shows installation of our round Achelous Basin, however,
these steps are also used for our larger square Altum Basin.
ABOUT COPPER FOUNTAINS
Copper is a delicate yet durable metal
Keeping your beautiful, unique investment in optimal working order isn’t
dicult if you are aware of a few situations depending on temperature and
weather severity in your area. Overall, minimal maintenance is required for
our Copper Fountains and these tips should help with our goal for you to
spend more time enjoying your water feature than working on it.
Our Copper Trees and Flowers are handmade by our designer in the
most tranquil place in the midst of the deep woodlands in England. Every
single element of these sculpted fountains, including the leaves, are hand
cut and hand made creating the most beautiful of fountains. No two pieces
are exactly identical ensuring individuality and zest in all designs. Even
better, you may add your own touch by adjusting the leaves to create
your own water ow design. Do this by gently bending the leaves until you
achieve the look and ow that you desire.
Copper Leaves
Small leaves and/or branches may detach from the tree from time to time
(wind, physical damage, seasonal changes). This is normal and can be
remedied by soldering/gluing them back on.
Patina
When oxygen in the air interacts with the metal atoms in the presence of
water, the formation of patina occurs. Very noticeable and desirable in
copper decor, your fountain will change color over time as patina develops.
Blue Thumb makes installation of your Copper
Fountain Kit super easy by following these
instructions. Subscribe to our YouTube channel,
BlueThumbINC, for related informational videos.
Included
in this Kit:
High-eciency Pump in a
Stainless Prelter Mesh Bag
Flow Control
Ball Valve
Tubing and
plumbing lltings
Kink-Free
Hose
Pre-Assembled
Pump Plumbing

STEP 1
STEP 2
Choose Basin Location
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.
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 is about 1½” below grade, allowing you to slope
the surrounding terrain toward the basin.
STEP 3
Position & Backll Basin
3a Place the basin within the hole. Make sure
the pump opening in the grate is orientated near
electrical service. Using a 2 - 4 ft. level ensure
the Fountain Basin remains level side to side.
3b Once the Fountain Basin is level, carefully
backll using excavated soil.
3a
3b
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.
Item: #ABDAUTO
1b
2a
2b
1a

STEP 5
Pump Plumbing
5a Water clarity is very important with the ne water
pipes of Copper Fountains. The included pump will
have shipped in a Stainless Steel Mesh Filter Bag.
This ne mesh bag is a lter that has been created
especially for these fountains so no debris is allowed
to reach the tiny copper pipes running through the
branches. This bag should be scrubbed clean every
few months to clear accumulation of any algae that
collects on the lter.
The mesh bag must protect the pump at all times
to ensure that the ne copper tubing used in these
fountain designs do not become clogged over time.
5b Place the pre-assembled pump plumbing in the
basin. The pump will be located beneath the pump
access panel and inside the Fountain Basin. Keep the
pump positioned as close as possible to the pump
access opening in the grate for best accessibility.
5c Pull power cord through pump access cover notch
and set to the side.
Consider adding water to the basin at this time to
complete the stabilization of the basin and save time
during the installation process.
5a
5b
Grate Placement
Install one of the grates at this time. Place the
grate so that the center line aligns with the sticker
on basin edge. This positioning provides the most
stability for the grates to support the fountain.
Install the second grate. If a PVC support is
provided for a heavier fountain, make sure it sits
in the center of the basin under the grates.
STEP 4
4
4
5c
Note: Our round 48” Achelous Basin has
4 built-in support columns. For best fountain
support the seam of the two grate pieces
should meet over the wider set of supports.

Option A
Cement Support Block Setup
(for Larger Fountains)
6a Slide hose through center of the grate.
Position the cement support block so you can
thread the hose up through the hole on the
bottom hole in the cement block.
6b Take care to pull the hose through the top
so that it does not kink or catch when lying the
block at on the basin.
6c Center the cement block support and feed
hose into the “trunk” bottom of your Copper
Tree.
6d Continue to slide the tree trunk over the
hose and down into the of cement block
support to secure the fountain.
6a
6b
6c
6d
Options B & C
Copper Stand Setup
Our lighter Copper Trees and Flowers come
with an attached copper stand. Installation
is simple, either through the side pipe or
through the bottom, depending on the
fountain.
Option B Slide the Hose over the side pipe.
Option C Slide the Hose through the hole in the
bottom of the fountain.
Option B
Option C
Fountain set-up is super easy with your
pre-assembled pump plumbing. Simply
connect your hose! The plumbing
connection point will vary with the style of
your Copper Fountain as shown here:
STEP 6 - Fountain Set-Up

Testing
If you haven’t already added water to the Fountain
Basin, add water until the basin is full (to the
bottom of the grates). Plug in the pump cord to
test your fountain.
Set the water ow and plume height by adjusting
the valve with the provided red valve key.
Splash should be kept to a minimum to avoid
excessive relling.
8c
8
Finishing
Cover the Grate
Select decorative gravel that compliments your
selected fountain, adjacent landscape and is sized
appropriately to not fall through the holes in the
Fountain Basin grates.
For the best look, consider adding plants and moisture
loving ground covers around the footprint of the
Fountain Basin, or adding a fountain up-lighting kit.
ENJOY!
STEP 7
Kit Item: #PB2897
External Up-lighting Add-on
Our IllumiGlow®Fountain 3 Light
Kit will bring your bubbling display
center stage by illuminating the
columns and water owing down
the rocks in a warm white light, for a
dramatic but soothing evening show.
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!

Copper Tree and Flower
General Care Tips
Keeping Water Clear
Water clarity is important! The included pump will have
shipped in a stainless steel mesh lter bag that should be
scrubbed clean every few months to clear accumulation of
any algae that collects on the lter. This ne mesh is a lter
that has been created especially for these fountains so no
debris is allowed to reach the tiny pipes running through
the branches.
The mesh bag must protect the pump at all times to
ensure that the ne tubing used in our copper fountain
designs do not become clogged over time.
To Clean the Stainless Mesh Bag: Turn o the fountain.
Access the pump through the hatch. Pull out the pump
assembly. Clean with running water and a sponge, making
sure water ows through the bag freely before reinstalling.
To Clean your AquaBox®Basin: With the fountain turned
o, pump out the water using a wet/dry vacuum to remove
as much sediment as possible. Once you have nished
cleaning the basin, rell with clean water. Just remember
to add your benecial bacteria after you rell to keep it
looking clean and optimize pump ow.
System Checks
Inspect pump, tubing, and connections regularly to make
sure everything is running smoothly, and no damage has
been sustained. Look for leaks where you could be losing
water.
Water Level Monitoring
Pumps need a constant supply of water, if your water
level drops too much it can damage your pump and you
will need to replace it. Check water levels in basin and
top o from time to time or install an Automatic Water Fill
Kit (Item# PB1342) to automatically rell evaporated and
splashed water.
FOR EXTREME HOT WEATHER
If you live in the desert regions or where temperatures
climb above 100 degrees, copper leaves can become so
hot they may “wilt.” Copper is very pliable so the leaves
can be pressed and shaped back into shape, but you may
consider moving the fountain to a shadier area.

Now, snap a picture of your completed waterfall and post
it to our Facebook page at facebook.com/bluethumbinc!
www.shopbluethumb.com
032023
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 o and use CrystalClear®
Algae D-Solv® #PB2002 to quickly clear organic debris and
remove odors. 1 ounce treats 360 gallons.
Winterizing:
Freezing can burst the copper pipe branches of your Copper
Tree Fountain and also cause issues with your fountain’s
pump system. To prevent the risk of damage:
FOR AREAS THAT DIP BELOW FREEZING disconnect the
pump from the fountain during these spells.
IF TEMPS ARE BELOW FREEZING FOR EXTENDED
PERIODS OF TIME, as in Northern States where copper
water pipes are known to burst when frozen, we recommend
removing both the pump and fountain for the winter.
DO NOT DRAIN THE BASIN FOR THE WINTER. It is best to
keep the basin at least 50% lled with water to avoid heaving
during freeze and thaw. Drain and rell in spring during your
seasonal cleaning.
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.
• Visually inspect your pump for damage before
reconnecting. Make sure the mesh lter bag is clean,
so the pump doesn’t get blocked and cause damage
or failure. Place pump in your basin and connect the
plumbing..
• Add Muck Buster® to the running fountain to replenish
good bacteria to further break down any remaining waste.
Auto Fill Kit
#ABDAUTO
Muck Buster®
#PB2682
Algae D-Solv®
#PB2002 If you need replacement parts please contact us directly at
888-619-3474 or email us at [email protected].