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Helpful Hints Before Installation
Stack your fountain in the exact place you intend to install it, stand back
and view it from all directions. If you like the way it looks then install it.
This saves you the work of tearing it down and moving it if it doesn't look good
where you thought it would.
It's a good idea to test the pump as soon as you take it out of the box.
After you finish setting your fountain is not the time to find you have a bad pump.
Put in a bucket of water and plug it in. You'll know if it's running.
Never let your fountain run dry.
Submersible pumps are made to run under water and running them
without it will hasten the end of their lifespan.
If you are installing your fountain on ground that is soft
or may get wet it's a good idea to give it a solid footing.
A large concrete step stone from your local nursery will serve well.
The Deep Dark Secrets of Easy Pump Installation
In some center delivery fountains there may be a 1/2-inch PVC female adapter
built into the bottom bowl of your fountain.
If so, there may be a brass adapter included in your fountain kit.
Thread the brass fitting into that using Teflon tape or other sealant.
Next, you cut the plug off the pump leaving at least 3 feet of wire connected to the pump.
Less wire left on the pump will void your warranty.
Pull the wire downward through the whole, pvc pipe, or brass fitting,
leaving 6-8 inches of wire inside the bowl so you can move the pump around.
Pull the wire through the notch in the bottom of the fountain base
and then you can either splice the plug back on (give it a good coat of silicon
sealer to waterproof), or you can put on a new water resistant plug or wire
directly to an outdoor junction box with an "on-and-off' switch in a convenient location.
Make sure your connection has ground field interrupter (GFI) in line somewhere.
(The spliced wire may be frowned upon by the Code Inspector).
The easiest way to accomplish the wiring job is to put padding on the ground
and against the base and lean the bowl against the base with the fitting for the wire
above the top of the base. Then, when you get the wire pulled through the fitting,
you can reach down inside the base and push the wire through the notch to the outside
and pull it tight. Then, simply tilt the bowl up into the base,
(keeping the wire tight), center it, and remove the padding.
This method saves a lot of lifting and cussing.
If you are using a Little Giant pump
The color code on the wires is weird and you should know the colors.
They are as follows:
Little Giant Brown wire connects to the Hot/black wire
Little Giant Blue wire connects to the Common/white wire
Little Giant Yellow-green stripe goes to the Ground/green
or non insulated copper
Freeze Protection For Your Concrete
Unfortunately, due to the fact that we are "desert dwellers",
we don't know much about the effects of freezing temperatures on our products.
We will try to help you with the few facts we have.
Concrete is porous, similar to a sponge, and absorbs water like one.
When the temperature drops below freezing,
the water inside the concrete also freezes; expanding as it does.
When the water expands inside, the pores of the concrete cannot expand with it,
so the result is an explosion of sorts in each cell resulting in disintegration of the concrete
starting in the extremities and working inward.
The best way we have found to combat this in our products
is to keep the water from entering the concrete at all.
We achieve this by applying a complete paint job.
We paint every surface - over, under and in between.
Our standard paint job is applied only on exposed areas.
Once the unit is sealed and installed, you will want to drain the water before the first freeze.
Put some chunks of wood in the bowls (chips in smaller bowls) to absorb the water
that will drip in or condense in the unit.
Cover the unit with burlap or canvas.
These materials will breathe and won't trap moisture like plastics will.
After you have taken these precautions, cross your fingers.
They will work most of the time but we hold no guarantees.
If you want to be 100% sure, take the unit inside where it's warm!
Other Facts That May Be Helpful To You
All of our fountains are self-contained and require no special plumbing.
All you need is an electrical receptacle within a couple of feet. It is not recommended
that you use an extension cord of any kind to connect your fountain pump.
To our knowledge there is no such thing as a waterproof extension cord.
Replacement pieces for our fountains are available through your dealer.
But handle your pieces carefully.
They are fragile and break easily with rough handling.
All of our products carry a limited warranty and service policy
Welcome to our world of moving water.
There is nothing in the world that compares with the beauty and restful feelings
you enjoy watching and listening to your fountain.
How much Water is in That Fountain or Pond?
How to calculate the volume of water in gallons
Rectangular or square shape
Multiply depth x length x width x 7.5
Circular shape
Multiply depth x diameter (squared) x 5.9
Oval with straight sides shape
Multiply depth x length x width x 6.7
Free form shape
Find the average depth, length and width
Multiply depth x length x width x 6.7
How to calculate the surface area in square yards
Rectangular or square shape
Multiply length x width and divide by 9
Circular shape
Multiply the radius (squared) x 3.14 and divide by 9
Oval with straight sides shape
Multiply 1/2 of length x 1/2 of width x 3.14 and divide by 9
Free form shape
Find the average length and width
Multiply 1/2 of length x 1/2 of width x 3.14 and divide by 9
Your calculations will give you a close answer.
If you want complete accuracy you must use a bucket.
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and text (excluding third party links and affiliates)
are
registered, copyrighted
& owned by
Richard's Garden Center, LLC. 1994-Today.
Use or references to any items posted on this website must be credited to
Richard's Garden Center, LLC. accompanied with a link to rgcaz.com.
ALL PRICES & AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE!
See store for details or call 623-434-6922 for more info.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Richard's Garden Center, LLC.