Savio Livingpond F100 Guide

To Create a Superior Easy
to Maintain Water Garden.
EASY STEPS
EASY STEPS
To Create a Superior Easy
to Maintain Water Garden.

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SAV i O Livingpond™ designs and equipment work in harmony to create
low-maintenance, living water gardens that stay healthy with minimal effort.
The equipment and the pond are designed with a philosophy that emphasizes
low-maintenance combined with natural beauty. In no time you will have a
backyard oasis to enjoy for many years to come.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome 3
Choose a Location 4
Level the Site 5
Measurements 6
Mark Outlines 7
Place Equipment 8
Connect Livingponds™ Filter 9
Bury Filter 10
Dig Levels 11
Add Underlayment & Liner 12
Add Coping Stones 13
Install Water Return 14
Attach Liner to Filter 15
Install Skimmerfilter™ 16-18
Attach Pump 19
Finishing Up 20-22
Maintain 23-25
Options 26-29
Accessories 30
Troubleshooting 31
Contents
SAV i O LIVINGPONDS™
CONTENTS

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If you are new to water gardening you are about to embark on a voyage of
discovery. Owning a pond is a rich and rewarding experience and SAV
i
O makes
it easy.
If you are an experienced pond builder you may find we do things a bit
differently, so we suggest that you take the time to review this guide in its
entirety before starting.
Our goal is to help you to create ponds that look great and require minimal
effort to maintain. The SAV
i
O equipment, the construction, even the design
of the pond is formulated to give you the maximum amount of satisfaction
with the least amount of work.
The best pond designs mimic nature. By encouraging a naturally balanced
living system your pond will provide you with years of enjoyment. SAV
i
O
Livingponds™ does not require aggressive cleaning, annual draining,
or excessive chemical treatments. This means less work and more
enjoyment for you and your family.
Dear Pond Builder,
• shovel
• 4’ hand level
• utility knife
• PVC cutter or hand saw
• string level
• jig saw
• site or transit level recommended
• wheelbarrow
• #3 phillips screwdriver
• large channel-lock wrench
• drill w/ 1 1/2” or 2” hole saw bit
T O O L S
Your friends at SAV
i
O wish you the best.
REMINDER: Read through the entire design
and construction guide before starting.
Gather necessary equipment
prior to installation.
Welcome
WELCOME
WELCOME

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Level the Site
INSTALL
too small
beach
waterfall
wrong
position
deck
Choosing a location is the first step toward building your pond.
Locate the pond for easy access and viewing from your home.
The ideal placement allows the pond to be a part of everyday
living. Make it the focal point so that it dominates the viewing
area. Enjoy your pond from the kitchen, your living room or
upstairs deck. Place it to receive ample summer and winter sun
and avoid putting it under pine or fruit bearing trees.
Pick a Location
Use a garden hose to outline the pond shape. An open,
gradually curving design such as a bean or kidney shape
encourages better circulation and pond health.
Outline Pond Shape
Avoid eccentric shapes,
sharp curves and niches.
They trap debris, cause
excessive liner folds and
create stagnant water.
TIP:
T I P :
Unpack and assemble Skimmerfilter™ and Livingponds™
Filter using the instructions provided with each unit.
Assemble Components
field of vision
field of vision
STEP 1 – CHOOSE A LOCATION
Choose a Location
INSTALL

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5
Level the Site
INSTALL
sloping grade
line level
future pond
excavation
string
stake
stake
Careful attention to site levelling will create a more
professional looking finished product and make the
installation process easier. Prior to excavation, the pond
site must be leveled on all sides. If you do not have access
to a transit (site level), an inexpensive line level can be
found at any hardware store.
Level the Site
Place two stakes at opposite sides of the pond.
Attach a string to the stake on the highest side of the
site 6” above ground level. Pull the line tight and level
across the area to the other stake. Place the line level
in the center of the string and adjust the low side until
the bubble is centered within the line level.
Setting the Level
Add or remove dirt until the ground level measures
the same uniform distance along the length of the
string. Repeat the leveling procedure on all sides
using the original stake as your reference point.
Add / Remove Soil
new level ground
use soil to level
remove soil here
STEP 2 – LEVEL THE SITE

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
800 gallon pond.
Outside dimensions (a) x (b): 8’ x 11’
Shallow area: c
Mid Level : d
Deep area: e
1,500 gallon pond.
Outside dimensions (a) x (b): 11’ x 16’
Shallow area: c
Mid Level : d
Deep area: e
3,000 gallon pond.
Outside dimensions (a) x (b): 16’ x 21’
Shallow area: c
Mid Level : d
Deep area: e
length
(a)
width
(b)
mid level
(d)
shallow
(c)
shallow
(c)
bottom
(e)
length
(a)
width
(b)
mid level
(d)
shallow
(c)
shallow
(c)
bottom
(e)
length
(a)
width
(b)
mid level
(d)
shallow
(c)
shallow
(c)
bottom
(e)
Select the your SAV i O Pond Package™ below to determine the correct excavation dimensions for your pond.
8’ x 11’ pond
11’ x 16’ pond
16’ x 21’ pond
STEP 3 – MEASUREMENTS
Measurements

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
Once the site has been leveled and the equipment has
been placed, re-draw the outline of the pond. Marking
the overall pond shape and shelf locations with spray
paint prior to excavation will help guide the digging
process and ensure that the pond stays within the
limits of the SAV i O Pond Package.
Mark Pond Outline
Once the outline has been marked, create another outline
6” into the pond for the coping shelf - a transitional area
where pond and landscaping meet.
Mark Coping Shelf
Using the diagram on page 5 mark the locations of each
of the remaining levels of the pond: shallow, mid-level
and deep area.
Mark Depth Shelves
Mark Outlines
STEP 4 – MARK OUTLINES

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
Positioning the Skimmerfilter™ on the downwind
side of the pond will aid in the effective collection of
floating debris. This is less important than placing
the Skimmerfilter™ opposite the waterfall but it is a
significant design consideration.
Pond with Skimmerfilter™ and Livingponds filter.™
Pond without Livingponds filter.™
Locate Equipment For Pond Package 800
Position the Skimmerfilter™ and flexible PVC prior to
excavation. Place the Skimmerfilter™ on the side of the
pond closest to the viewing area. Lay PVC along ground
so that it discharges into the far side of the pond.
This provides the best view, encourages good
circulation, simplifies maintenance and hides the face
of the Skimmerfilter.™
Locate Equipment For Pond
Packages 1,500 and 3,000
Position the Skimmerfilter,™ waterfall filter and flexible
PVC, prior to excavation to ensure proper placement of
the equipment. Place the SAV i O Skimmerfilter™ closest to
the viewing area. Place the Livingponds Filter™ opposite
the Skimmerfilter™ facing the viewing area.
This provides the best view, encourages good
circulation, simplifies maintenance and hides the
face of the Skimmerfilter.™
Direction of prevailing wind
T I P :
T I P :
STEP 5 – PLACE EQUIPMENT
Place Equipment

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
Attach one threaded male pipe adapter
to the bulkhead at the top of the filter.
Prime and apply glue to the SAV i O
Aqua Flex PVC.™
Apply teflon tape to threads on
male pipe adapters.
Attach a threaded male pipe
adapter to lower bulkhead.
Glue the 5’ section of 1.5” SAV i O
Aqua Flex PVC™ .to lower bulkhead.
Glue the included knife valve to drain pipe end. Allow 20 minutes drying time. Close the knife valve. Fill the filter
halfway with water. Check for leaks.
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While glue is still wet, attach PVC
to the male adapter.
Livingponds Filter™ Installation - Pond Packages 1,500 and 3,000
Prevention of leaks in pond installation begins with proper component assembly. Remember that once your equipment
is installed it can be difficult and time consuming to fix faulty connections.
Connect the Livingponds Filter™
STEP 6 – CONNECT THE LIVINGPONDS
FILTER
™
(for pond packages 1,500 & 3,000)

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
910
Drain filter before proceeding. Place filter
in previously determined sites prior to
excavation. Bury in position to a depth of 12”.
As the digging proceeds the excavated soil
will be piled around the filter to create the
waterfall and stream foundations.
Check level front to back and
side to side.
Direct filter drain hose to drainage area. Slope it so water will flow freely during filter cleanings.
Utilize the nutrient rich
water from filter cleanings
to water nearby plants,
shrubs or trees by extending
filter drain to these areas.
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See page 28 for a description
of a more elaborate waterfall
installation.
OPTION:
OPTION:
TIP:
TIP:
STEP 6 – BURY FILTER
Bury Filter

10
INSTALL
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INSTALL
Once the ground has been leveled on all sides, dig the pond to a
depth of 6” to create the coping shelf level.
Excavate the shallow areas of the pond to a depth of 10” and the
mid-level of the pond to a depth of 15”. Gently slope shelves (~5o)
toward the lowest point of the lower basin for easiest cleaning.
Set aside excavated soil to build the waterfall runway, place the
rest 2’ away from the outer edge of the pond to use as backfill for
the coping shelf.
Excavate the deepest level of the pond to a depth of 24”. Make
the pond sides nearly vertical. A 60o-75o drop encourages debris
to settle to the pond bottom, discourages predators and makes
access for maintenance easy. Slope the deepest level to one
point to make it easy to collect debris later on. Double check
measurements for all levels. When the excavation is complete
check for sharp rocks or roots that may damage the pond liner
and remove if necessary
Dig 1st Level
Dig Shallow and Mid Levels
Dig Deepest Level
Warning! Before undertaking any
excavation project, always check first with
your local utility company for the presence
of underground wires, water and gas lines.
Dig Levels
STEP 7 – DIG LEVELS

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
Once excavation is complete it is time to create the
containment that will hold the water and act as the foundation
for your Livingpond. Underlayment protects and extends
the life of the liner. Cut protective felt underlayment into
overlapping pieces to cover the entire pond site. Start
from the bottom of the pond and work outward, smoothing
wrinkles and folds along the bottom and sides.
With one piece of liner cover the underlayment. Center the
liner so an roughly equal amount remains on all sides of
the excavation. Work from the bottom and sides outward,
smoothing out wrinkles and folds
(BE CAREFUL: Rocks wedged in shoe treads can damage
liner). DO NOT TRIM LINER AT THIS TIME.
Place Underlayment
Place Liner
Place rocks at several points to hold liner and
underlayment in place.
Place Rock
In case you puncture the EPDM liner, we’ve included a
self-adhesive patch with your kit. For instructions, see
How to patch liner on page 29.
TIP:
T I P :
STEP 8 – ADD UNDERLAYMENT AND LINER
Add Underlayment & Liner

12
INSTALL
13
INSTALL
Secure underlayment and liner by adding coping stones. Set
coping stones on top of the liner around the edge of the
pond. Leave the area in front of the Skimmerfilter™ and the
Livingponds Waterfall Filter™ free of rockwork for now.
Coping stones secure and hide liner at the pond’s edge. Use
flat bottom rocks, roughly 6” - 7” in height.
To avoid leaks be careful during installation not to drop rocks
or place any sharp edges against the liner. Use underlayment
scraps under rockwork for added protection of the liner.
Place Coping Stones
backfill
underlayment
pond liner
coping stone
water level
original ground level
liner & underlayment
When the coping stones are in place, flip the extra liner over
the back of the stones and backfill to create the coping shelf
around the pond. The reason for this coping shelf is twofold:
it disguises and secures the liner while creating a slight
elevation around the pond to prevent unwanted landscaping
debris from washing into the system.
The diagram at left shows a cross-section of the coping shelf.
Add Coping Stones
STEP 9 – ADD COPING STONES
Coping Shelf
Backfill Coping

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
Place PVC between two coping stones, where water
will re-enter the system just above water-level. Or, if
you plan to have a waterfall, run the hose to the top of
the waterfall.
Camouflage the PVC with rockwork and secure into
place using SAV i O Black Foam.™
Place Outlet
Anchor PVC
For Pond Package 800 only, use rockwork to
build up a waterfall or water re-entry location
for filtered water to re-enter the system.
Build Waterfall
INSTALL WATER RETURN (for pond package 800)
Install Water Return

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
Pull liner over the face of the Livingponds Filter.™
Cut liner to shape of opening, as shown.
Slide waterfall weir into place. Ensure that the weir seal is
firmly compressed between the weir and filter chamber, with
flat side of seal facing toward the filter body.
Insert and gently tighten the four large sheet metal
screws into the holes in the waterfall weir. Do not over
tighten (weir mounts will not contact filter mounts).
Gently lift weir front. Then slide liner between filter and
bottom weir supports. Carefully secure the liner to the
Livingponds Filter™ to maintain a water-tight transition
between the filter and waterfall.
weir
weir
screw
liner
1 2
3 4
ATTACH LINER TO FILTER
(for pond packages 1,500 & 3,000)
Attach Liner to Filter

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
Dig a channel 7” below the water line,
measuring 24” wide, from the hole to
the pond. The Skimmerfilter™ neck
rests on this channel. Compact and
level the bottom of excavation. Do not
dig too deeply or the soil may settle
unevenly.
Fill the pond using a garden hose.
This will allow you to accurately
determine water level on all sides
before proceeding with installation of
the Skimmerfilter.™ Water level should
hit partway up the coping stones. Verify
that the water level is a few inches
below the edge of the liner on all sides.
6” back from the coping shelf, dig a
round hole measuring 30” across,
with a depth of 17” below the marked
water line. Dig the front of the
hole 1/4” deeper than the back to
compensate for settling.
6”
30”
With the pond full, mark position of
water level on the liner at the
Skimmerfilter™ location with white chalk.
Partially drain pond 8”-10” inches.
Place the Skimmerfilter™ in the hole.
Check to make sure the intended water
level meets the skimmer 3 1/4” inches
below the top of the neck. Adjust up or
down by adding or removing dirt.
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One of the most crucial steps is installing the Skimmerfilter.™ For best results carefully follow the steps below.
STEP 10 – INSTALL SKIMMERFILTER
™
Install Skimmerfilter™

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
Backfill around the Skimmerfilter™
with the lid in place. Use moist sand
or pea gravel or, if unavailable, gravel
and loose soil (free from clumps).
Hand pack every two or three inches.
Do not over compact. Lightly moisten
the backfill to aid in settling.
Insert weir dividers into Skimmerfilter™
neck. Use the tracks which correspond
with the faceplate provided with your kit,
as shown in the picture above. (8’ x 11’
pond uses innermost tracks / 11’ x 16’
and 16’ x 21’ use middle tracks)
Push the weir door hinge tabs
into notches on the weir dividers,
using thumbs to hold tabs secure.
Lay the door horizontal in the
Skimmerfilter™ neck.
Verify that the face of the
Skimmerfilter™ is flush with the back
wall of the lined coping shelf. Adjust
placement, if necessary.
Level the unit front to back and side to side.
Make the front edge ” lower than the back
edge. Check water level once again.
789
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Dig a trench for the aqua flex pipe. Use
the side closest to your water return.
Extend this trench so that it connects
to the waterfall filter.
10
Install Skimmerfilter™
16” Weir
8.5” Weir
6” Weir

18
INSTALL
19
INSTALL
Do not to block the opening of
the Skimmerfilter™ with rockwork
or with plants. Leave it open to
successfully pull debris from the
pond surface. An easily removable
faux rock or potted plant can be
used to hide the Skimmerfilter’s™
lid from view.
TIP:
Leave Skimming Access
Position pond liner over the Skimmerfilter™
mouth and hold it in place. Smooth liner
free of wrinkles and folds. Wipe clean.
A) Make a 3” wide incision through the
centered liner 3/4” below the
top of the Skimmerfilter™ opening.
B) Slide the faceplate over the locator pins
to align the screw holes.
Use a #3 phillips head screwdriver to
install screws halfway into all four corners.
Install the remaining screws halfway.
Tighten top, bottom and sides alternately
by hand until screw heads are flush to
create a watertight seal.
After the faceplate is properly tightened
use a knife to trim the liner inside the
mouth of the Skimmerfilter.™
Insert the locator pins through liner into
the holes indicated above.
Hide the Skimmerfilter™ from view by
extending the coping shelf rockwork to
both sides of the Skimmerfilter™ opening.
Select two locator pins from the screw
packet provided.
Place a flat rock over the Skimmerfilter™
neck to camouflage.
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STEP 10 – INSTALL SKIMMERFILTER
™
(continued)
Install Skimmerfilter™
locator
pins go
here

18
INSTALL
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INSTALL
Connect PVC to the pump plumbing
assembly. Your pond’s circulatory system
is complete and about to come to life.
Apply the purple primer on the inside of
the 90º elbow and on the outside of the
SAV i O Aqua Flex PVC™ Repeat, using wet
weld glue.
Use backfill dirt to hide the SAV i O Aqua
Flex PVC.™
Re-attach the upper assembly and
fasten gator lock.
Place the pump and plumbing assembly into
the SAV i O Skimmerfilter.™ Lay the Aqua Flex
PVC in the trench and pass it through the
Skimmerfilter housing.
You are almost done! Disengage the gator
lock union and remove the upper assembly.
Rotate the lower piece in a clockwise
motion to attach lower fitting.
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Attach Pump
STEP 11 – ATTACH PUMP

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INSTALL
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INSTALL
With the pond filled the weight of water will cause the liner
to settle. Liner can be trimmed and hidden in the backfill
at this time. Do not allow soil to contact water.
Fill the pond with water and check for leaks. Initially
the pond may be cloudy from the accumulated debris of
rockwork and dust. Over the course of a few days this
debris will settle and the pond will gradually clear.
Fill Pond
Start System
To start the filtration system, simply plug in the pump.
Trim Liner
INSTALL
FINISHING UP
Finishing Up