Fountain Set-up Procedure

D0103 Laura's Tabletop
D0104 Deco Tabletop

A. Materials Needed

1. Supplied with fountain: (D103 and D104) 2 concrete pieces: fountain back and fountain bowl; clear plastic hose, pump and Kryton sealer (if you purchased these with the fountain)
2. To be purchased: pump and Kryton sealer (if not purchased with fountain), heavy felt "feet" that are used for chair legs (hardware, building supply), two (2) hose clamps (1/2-3/4inch) if necessary
   

B. Procedure

1. Test the pump to make sure it is operational. A kitchen sink filled with six inches of water is sufficient. Only plug the pump into the electrical socket after the pump is submerged. Running a pump dry will destroy it. Also, examine any control on the pump so that once the pump is installed, you will know how to increase/decrease the water flow. Removing a faulty pump is time-consuming.
2. Touch up any scratches on the fountain pieces with touch up stain. Let dry.
3. After ensuring that every piece of the fountain is absolutely dry, water seal every piece with Kryton sealer. Using a paintbrush cover ALL sides of every part, working methodically to ensure complete coverage.
4. Adhere the heavy felt "feet" (that have a sticky tape on one side) to the bottom of the fountain bowl. Concrete will scratch furniture unless precautions are taken.
5. There is a small opening in the bowl that allows water to run from the main reservoir into the hidden reservoir beneath the back piece. Make sure that this hole is open. If not, gently use your finger or a screwdriver to punch it through.
6. Install the pump (P-60 or P-80). Place the fountain back momentarily on top of the fountain bowl and take note of where the copper tube is located in the underside of the back piece. Place the pump into the water reservoir at the back of the fountain bowl, positioning the pump so that its nozzle is closer to the copper tube in the back piece.
7. Connect the clear plastic tubing to the nozzle on top of the pump and to the copper tube in the bottom of the back piece (the plastic tubing can be shortened with scissors, if necessary, but wait until later to do it.) Try to kink or crimp the tubing as little as possible, unless you desire a smaller flow of water. Place the fountain back piece (with tube and pump attached) into place with the pump cord exiting the bowl through the slot provided.
8. Fill the fountain with room-temperature water. Cold water poured into a warm fountain can cause the bowls to crack. The reverse is also true.
9. Plug the pump into your source of electricity. Always use properly grounded circuits and extension cords.
10. Adjust pump for desired water flow. Note: if the pump is turned as low as possible and the flow is still too strong, crimp or kink the plastic hose to further restrict the flow.
    
11. Reminder: Fountain bowls and pumps CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO FREEZE WITH WATER IN THEM. If used in an unheated environment (outdoors or unheated house), disassemble and store in winter. See manufacturer's bulletin on "Care and Maintenance" for more information.
    
    
    

C. Adjustments Commonly Needed

1. Water does not flow out the top at all.
   a. Make sure the plastic hose is not kinked at some point and that water can flow freely from pump to spout.
   b. Check to see if pump is correct size.
2. Water flow is too heavy or fountain splashes too much.
   a. Decrease the flow control on the pump.
   b. Restrict the flow through the plastic hose. Many make-shift items will work, e.g., a nail bent into a "U" shape with the hose pressed inside it, a small hose clamp tightened around the hose, etc.
3. The plastic hose that came with the fountain does not fit onto the pump purchased elsewhere.
   a. Plastic hose is manufactured in sizes that allow one size to fit snuggly inside the next larger size.
   b. Measure the nipple on the top of your pump. That measurement is the ID (inside diameter) of the plastic hose you need.
   c. Usually ½" hose is supplied with the fountain. If the pump needed 5/8", all you need is a short length (4") of 5/8" hose from your building supply store. Insert that onto your pump, then place the ½" hose down inside the top of the 5/8" hose to complete the assembly.
   d. This process can also work in reverse with 3/8" hose.
4. The plastic tubing keeps slipping off the pump nozzle.
   a. Purchase two hose clamps (½ inch to ¾ inch size) from your building or automotive supply.
   b. Slip one clamp over the clear plastic tubing and reconnect it to the pump. Slide the clamp down over the joint of pump nozzle and tubing; tighten snuggly with a screwdriver. Do not overtighten.
   c. Slip the other clamp over the clear tubing and reconnect it to the fountain back. Slide it into place and tighten.
   d. Replace pump in reservoir.