Back to Wall Fountains

Basic information about your mosaic wall fountain

There are 8 parts to the fountain:
1. two mounting brackets
2. one water pan
3. one light box
4. one water pump
5. the mosaic on a stainless steel frame
6. a two part water pan cover
7. an installation kit (E-Z anchors & mounting screws, two light bulbs and a green scouring pad)
8. four oz. of Fountain Clear™

The frame, water pan and light hood are made of stainless steel. Some are finished with a baked-on powder coating, which is impervious to most solvents and cleaning fluids. The finish can be scratched or abraded so DO NOT use kitchen cleanser or other abrasive cleaners or abrasive scouring pads on the powder-coated surfaces. Stainless steel may be cleaned with any stainless steel cleaner.

Unless your fountain is custom designed, you have one of two standard fountain sizes.

  • Small fountain- follow green information.
    Overall dimensions: 19 ½”W x 63”H x 6 ½”D

    Water pan holds approximately 2 ½ gallons of water.
  • Large fountain- follow blue information.
    Overall dimensions: 38”W x 73”H x 6 ½”D

    Water pan holds approximately 5 gallons of water.

Two important considerations when choosing a location for your mosaic wall fountain:

  1. A convenient and appropriate power source. Both pump and light box should be plugged into a GF (Ground Fault Interrupter) outlet capable of handling up to 150 watts for the light box and up to 25 watts for the water pump. You may choose to have an electrician install a switched power source behind the fountain so the electrical cords will be hidden.
  2. A sturdy mounting surface. This may seem obvious but, if you have a small fountain, you must choose a surface capable of holding approximately 75 lb. for the mosaic fountain frame and 25 lbs. for the filled water pan. If you have a large fountain, you must choose a surface capable of holding approximately 115 lbs. for the mosaic fountain frame and 45 lbs. for the filled water pan. The weight of the light hood is negligible but in all installations proper anchors and screws should be used for specific substrates that correlate to the weight that will be hung. If your installation substrate is 3/8” to 5/8” drywall, the 30 lb. E-Z anchors included with the installation kit will suffice. There are other drywall mountings devices that will work equally well – just be sure they are capable of holding the above listed weights. Different substrates will require different anchoring devises. These should be obtained from your local building supply or hardware store.

You will need:

  • Level and/or plumb bob and line
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
  • #2 phillips screwdriver
  • #1 Philips screwdriver short shank
  • An awl (or a large nail and hammer)
  • 3 or 5 gallons of distilled water depending on the size of your water pan
  • Spray bottle filled with distilled water
  • Furniture pad or something to protect the floor during installation
  • Assistance of another person

Installation

  1. Install the mounting bracket/s: Measure up from the floor 75” or 80” (Note: this is my recommended placement. You may install the fountain at any height you’d like). Draw a 15” or 32” wide level, horizontal line. Measure down from this line 49 ½” or 58” and draw a parallel, level, horizontal line. This measurement places the mosaic and frame about 1 ½” into the water pan. Be sure to use a level or plumb bob and line to be certain that the lower line is even with the top line. With the flange lip up and away from the wall, position the bottom of the mounting brackets on top of these lines and mark the wall through the three or four holes with a pencil.
    Punch a pilot hole into the drywall with the awl where your pencil marks are and with a 2# Phillips screw driver, screw in the 30 lb EZ-Anchor. Be certain they are flush with the wall. Secure the mounting brackets with screws (included). At this point do not fully tighten the two outside screws of the upper mounting bracket.
  2. Install the light box. Align the bottom edge of the light box with the bottom edge of the upper mounting bracket. The back flanges of the light box should be tucked under the mounting bracket about ¼” on both sides. Mark the wall for the two holes in the upper back flanges of the light hood. Install the E-Z anchors as mentioned above. Tightly secure both the upper mounting bracket and light hood.
  3. Connect the pump. Stand the fountain frame on cushioning or pads close to where it will hang. The pump will, in most cases, have a 16’ electrical cord. Determine how much cord you will need and coil the unneeded cord and hang it within the braces behind the fountain frame (wire tie and hanging position provided). Be certain your electrical switches are turned off. If your electrical installation outlets are behind the fountain, plug in the fountain and light hood at this point. For shipping purposes, the nylon reinforced hose may be tucked within the back of the lower support section of the fountain frame. Remove the end of the hose and place it within the center slot of the bottom frame brace. Push the hose onto the flanged fitting of the pump. The hose length is precut to accommodate the pump position. The pinch valve near the end of the hose has been preset to maximize the water flow and minimize splashing.
  4. Hang the mosaic fountain. Carefully lift the fountain into the light hood, toward the ceiling and let it rest on the lip of the upper mounting bracket. Be certain not to pinch the electrical cord for the light hood. The fountain should hang level at this point.
  5. Install the water pan and position the pump. As you lift the water pan into position, pull the bottom of the fountain away from the wall slightly and hang the water pan on the lower mounting bracket. The pump should be inside the water pan, below the fountain frame. The pump does not have to sit securely on the bottom, nor should it be wedged directly under fountain. The intake side of the pump, (generally the X shaped design), should be facing down to the lowest part of the water pan. Suspending the pump within the water pan just a little will reduce vibrations.
  6. Tuck away all visible electrical cords if your electrical outlets are not behind the fountain.
  7. Fill the water pan with approximately 2-2 ½ gallons or 4-5 Gallons of DISTILLED water. Always be sure the water level is high enough to cover the pump. A low water level could damage the pump. You should never allow the water level to get so low that the pump will take on air. Never allow the pump to run dry.
  8. Install the two component water pan cover: The part labeled “A” should fit between the bottom of the mosaic and the lower back brace of the fountain frame, effectively wedging it in place. The Part labeled “B” should fit over part “A” and hang downward toward the front of the water pan at a slight angle. See the diagram for a good visual explanation of this point.
  9. Install two light bulbs in the light box. Two or three 50 watt halogens have been included.
  10. Wet the mosaic surface with your spray bottle then plug in and/or turn on the pump. If the water does not flow evenly over the mosaic surface, run your finger over the top front edge of the mosaic frame. Along with pre-wetting the surface, the water should now be flowing evenly.

Helpful Hints

  • Always wet the mosaic surface with the spray bottle before turning on the pump. Keep a spray bottle filled with distilled water handy and use it every time you start your fountain. You can use your hand once the water is flowing but you will find this to be really messy.
  • Be careful not to place the fountain in a spot where it could be bumped or damaged.
  • Try to avoid delicate floor surfaces that could be damaged by splashing. Although all fountains are tested before they are sold, a small amount of splashing may occur depending upon the mosaic design.
  • Place an old towel on the floor beneath the fountain until the entire fountain surface is wet and all final adjustments are made. Installing your fountain in a windy area may cause splashing.
  • Consider placing a piece of cork or a plastic spacer between the back of the mosaic and the water pan at the lowest point of the mosaic. This small adjustment could place the fountain at a slight backward tilt, which may help reduce splashing.

Maintenance and operation techniques

  • Use only distilled water. This will prolong the life of the pump and greatly reduce mineral build-up.
  • Do not apply oils, waxes or silicone sealers to the areas that water flows over. Oils and waxes applied to the mosaic or the top flow tray may cause water to separate or collect and, therefore, splash. Use the green scrubbing pad to lightly abrade the front flow tray lip occasionally.
  • Check the water level in the water pan periodically and always maintain the proper amount of water. Remember that dryer climates and/or use of air conditioning may cause the water to evaporate more quickly.
  • A product called ProTec® Scale and Stain Remover can be added to the water to prevent mineral build up if you choose not to use distilled water. This can be purchased at your local aquarium or pet store. Stain and scale removers may be purchased at hot tub and spa dealers. Some of the stain and scale removers are acid based so be certain to use these products sparingly and with caution.
  • Periodically clean the pump and water tray. Disconnect or turn off all electrical and remove the water pan by lifting it up over the lower support bracket. You may want to remove most of the water from the water pan first by siphoning or bailing the water from the pan. Wash the inside of the water pan with vinegar, a mild bleach solution or a product like CLR but be sure to thoroughly rinse away all cleaners.
  • Use Fountain Clear™ as directed to reduce to prevent organic contaminants.
  • Try a little aroma therapy. Add a small amount of fragrance designed for hot tubs and spas to the water.

Trouble shooting

Pump is too noisy.

  • Be sure the pump’s output nozzle is securely inserted into the fountain’s intake hose, since forced water escaping at this connection may cause a bubbling noise.
  • You can adjust the sound of your fountain with the level of the water in the water pan, or by adjusting the pinch valve, thereby changing the flow rate. Make sure the pump is always completely submerged.
  • If the pump is in contact with the sides or bottom of the water pan, this may cause a noisy vibration. Suspending the pump or placing a small kitchen sponge under the pump will reduce vibration.

Water does not flow.

  • Check water level to ensure there is enough water in the pan.
  • Make sure the electrical cord is plugged into a working receptacle.
  • Check to ensure the pump’s water intake is not clogged. Contaminants, lint, pet hair and dust can collect within the water pan and in time may plug the pump and hose. If this happens, you should dismantle the water pan, disconnect the pump and remove its intake control, and pinch valve and clean everything thoroughly.
  • Check for any kinks in the tubing.
  • Try unplugging the pump and plugging it in again.

Water does not flow evenly.

  • Run your finger over the top front edge of the mosaic frame as the water begins to flow.
  • Make sure the fountain is level.
  • Use a green Scotchbrite® pad to gently rub across the very front edge of the flow tray at the top of the mosaic and gently on the surface of the mosaic.
  • Some of the mosaic surfaces may have some protruding elements that could cause water to divert around

    diagram

 

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