Atlantic Oasis Series Instruction Manual

ATLANTIC OASIS SERIES PRODUCTS INSTRUCTION MANUAL:

Atlantic Oasis Series Instruction Manual - Printable PDF Version

Table of Contents

Water Gardens

POND VOLUME

It is important to calculate the estimated water volume before you begin construction, and then re-calculate final water volume when your project is completed. Estimating water volume pre-construction is a step that is often skipped by many homeowners and contractors. A water garden with undersized filtration can prove to be a maintenance nightmare.

Oasis Skimmer and FilterFalls can accomodate flow rates up to 3900 GPH and filter ponds up to 1500 gallons in volume.

TO DETERMINE POND VOLUME:
Multiply (in feet) the average length x the average width x the average depth to find cubic feet of pond volume. Multiply cubic feet x 7.48 = gallons

SURFACE AREA

When using any pond skimmer it is important to keep the surface area (in square feet) of the pond in mind. Upon start-up, the pump sends water from the bottom reservoir to the top of the waterfall and/or streambed. The water must then fill, from top to bottom, the waterfalls and streambed until it eventually re-enters the pond and the water levels equalize. During water in transition process, the water level of the bottom reservoir is continually dropping. If the streambed is built improperly, or is built too big, the water level of the bottom reservoir could drop below the opening in the skimmer before the water levels equalize. This would result in the pump running dry and starving for water.

This situation can be easily avoided by using the formula provided to calculate the surface area of your pond. With that number, you can then determine the maximum surface area of waterfalls and streambed that your pond can accommodate.

TO DETERMINE SURFACE FOOTAGE:
Multiply (in feet) the average length x the average width = total square feet of the pond surface area. Multiply the surface area of the pond x .5 = maximum surface area for falls

STREAMBED CONSTRUCTION

Using proper streambed construction techniques can limit the transitional water needed to fill the streambed and enables the system to function optimally. Transitional water is determined by the height that the weir rock extends above the liner at the spillway opening. Maintaining the shortest distance possible between the top of the weir rock and the liner is a crucial component to a properly functioning water garden. Figure 3 displays two examples of proper construction techniques for minimal transitional water.

Figure 4 is an example of improper streambed construction. Stone, gravel and foam can be combined to make a barrier and create a waterfall, but that barrier will never be watertight. When the pump is turned off, the water will always drain down to the highest point of the liner. Improper construction greatly increases the water in transition.

PLACEMENT OF THE FILTERFALLS AND SKIMMER

Now that you have determined the size of the pond, waterfalls and filter system, it is time to determine the placement of the components.

Whenever possible, it is best to position the Skimmer and FilterFalls directly across from each other at opposite ends of the pond. This setup creates a current that pulls surface debris into the Skimmer. If the Skimmer and FilterFalls are placed too close together, or the pond has an unusual shape, dead areas can occur. These dead areas can be eliminated with the use of multiple falls or multiple skimmers.

Oasis Skimmer Installation

EXCAVATING AND SETTING THE PS3900

Prior to setting the skimmer you must first determine the surface level of the water in the pond. Once you have this number you can excavate for the Skimmer. The excavation should be a few inches wider and longer than the Skimmer body. The depth of excavation for the PS3900 should be 15” below water level. Do not dig too deep. The skimmer should be set on stable, compacted soil. In the case that you over-dig, be sure to compact the soil thoroughly to prevent settling. The bottom of the hole should be level side-to- side and front-to-back (Figure 5).

Place the skimmer enclosure into the excavated hole. Check the top of the enclosure to make sure that it is level front-to-back and side-to-side. Check where your pre-determined water level falls on the face of the skimmer enclosure. Water level should be 11/4” below the top of the weir door opening.

Make sure that any unexcavated soil that is left in front of the Skimmer is at least 10” below water level. This will ensure that there is enough room for the weir door to be installed and function properly. Before you go any further into the Skimmer installation, it is a good idea to place a few stones inside the Skimmer enclosure to weigh it down and keep it from moving.

Prior to backfilling the enclosure, make sure the support bar is installed inside the skimmer. The support bar must be in place for the enclosure to retain its shape during the backfilling process. Loosely backfill the enclosure on all sides, lightly compacting as you go. Do not over-compact the soil! Aggressive compaction may deform the enclosure and cause components to fit improperly.

ATTACHING THE LINER

Hold the liner up against the face of the Skimmer, allowing a minimum of 2” to extend above the top of the enclosure. Leave some excess slack in the liner below the weir opening. This will help alleviate any future strain on the liner connection.

Make sure that the front surface of the Skimmer, and the back side of the liner, are clean and free of debris. When you are satisfied with the position of the liner, clip it in place with the provided spring clips. With a sharp razor knife, cut a hole in the face of the skimmer as a guide (Figure 6).

When you are finished, remove the spring clips and pull the liner away from the face of the skimmer. Apply a consistent bead of Atlantic fish-safe silicone to the face of the Skimmer along the centerline of the pre-drilled bolt holes. Once you are finished, you can return the liner to its original position and replace the spring clips.

Use your fingers to hold the flange nut and a hand held screwdriver to tighten the screws. The serrations on the flange nut will grab the plastic enclosure once it makes contact, eliminating the need to use a wrench. Use caution when tightening the screws. The screws need only be snug for the silicone to make a seal.

Oasis FilterFalls Installation

BULKHEAD INSTALLATION

It is a good idea to install the bulkhead fitting and 1 ½” MTA (included) before setting the BF1600. If 2” flexible PVC is being used for the supply line, replacing the 1 ½” HA1550 bulkhead with an Atlantic 2” HA2000 bulkhead (not included) is recommended.

Remove the retaining nut and plastic friction washer, leaving the rubber gasket on the body of the bulkhead fitting. Note that the retaining nut is reverse threads. Turn clockwise to loosen.

From the inside of the FilterFalls, insert the threaded end of the bulkhead into the hole on the back of the enclosure. This will sandwich the rubber gasket between the flange of the bulkhead and the inside wall of the enclosure. Slip the friction washer over the threaded end of the bulkhead on the outside of the enclosure and install the retaining nut. Tighten the retaining nut by hand and then finish off with a half turn from a wrench. Note that the retaining nut is reverse threads. Turn counterclockwise to tighten.

SETTING THE BF1600

It is always recommended that the FilterFalls be placed on undisturbed soil if possible. If the installation calls for the FilterFalls to be elevated above existing grade, it is critical to compact the area thoroughly. This will ensure that the FilterFalls will not settle out-of-level over time. The use of cinder blocks or bricks under the falls to raise it up will help reduce the chance of settling.

The FilterFalls can be placed adjacent to the pond edge to create a single waterfall, or pulled away from the pond to create a streambed effect. Refer to the surface area recommendations on page 4 to ensure that the streambed is properly sized.

Once you have placed the unit, make sure it is level from side to side and check the level from front to back. FilterFalls should always be installed tilted slightly forward about ¼”. This will ensure that water never leaks out over the back of the enclosure. When you are finished positioning the unit, it is a good idea to weigh it down with a few rocks to keep it in place while you backfill and make your liner and plumbing connections. Apply silicone on the threads of the Male Thread Adaptor (MTA). Screw the MTA into the bulkhead until tight. Use PVC Glue (not included) to glue the PVC flex hose into the MTA.

Do not completely backfill the FilterFalls until all of your plumbing connections are made and the liner has been attached.

LINER ATTACHMENT

Atlantic FilterFalls come equipped with a solid spillway, threaded inserts and a ‘U’ shaped wrap-around flange to provide the best possible seal.

Start by positioning the liner. Pull the liner up the face of the FilterFalls and drape a minimum of 6” of liner over the top of the enclosure. Use the provided spring clips to temporarily hold the liner in place (Figure 10). Leave some excess slack in the liner below the spillway. This will help to alleviate any future strain on the liner connection. With the liner firmly in place, use a sharp razor knife to cut the spillway opening in the liner using the inside of the spillway as a guide (Figure 10).

Remove the spring clips and pull the liner away from the face of the enclosure. Make sure that the front of the FilterFalls and the back side of the liner are clean and free of debris. Apply a consistent bead of Atlantic fish-safe silicone to the face of the FilterFalls along the center line of the threaded inserts.

Return the liner to the face of the FilterFalls and hold it in place by attaching the spring clips to the rolled lip on either side of the spillway (Figure 11).

Attach the liner flange to the FilterFalls, starting with the center screw first, and then work out toward the sides of the spillway. It may be necessary to first pierce the liner with a nail or an awl before inserting the screw. Do not fully tighten any screws until all the screws have been installed. Once completed, trim away any excess liner as needed.

Tighten flange screws with a hand held screwdriver only. Over tightening the screws could strip out the inserts or crack the liner flange. The screws need only to be snug for the silicone to make a seal.

POND-FREE

Pond–free features exchange the open water of the pond for a gravel-topped excavation, maximizing visual impact while minimizing headaches and maintenance. Typically, a pump placed in a protective vault inside a lined reservoir continuously recirculates water over a stream or waterfall. A bed of gravel hides the basin, vault and plumbing from view, leaving only the stream and waterfall visible.

ECO-BLOX vs. GRAVEL BASIN for a WATERFALL or STREAM

Eco-Blox basins consist of 10% Eco-Blox and 90% water. Gravel basins consist of 70% rock and only 30% water. As a rule of thumb, your pond-free basin should hold three times the amount of water as the waterfalls and streambeds above it. It is critical to calculate the water volume that the basin can hold before you begin construction of the waterfalls or streambed.

Why should the basin be three times the size of the stream? Upon start-up, the pump sends water from the bottom reservoir to the top of the waterfall and/or streambed. The water must then fill, from top to bottom, the waterfalls and streambed until it eventually re-enters the basin and the water levels equalize. During this filling process, the water level of the bottom reservoir is continually dropping.

If the streambed is built improperly, or is built too big, the water level of the bottom reservoir may drop below the top of the pump before the water levels equalize. This would result in the top of the pump being exposed to air. Pumps must be completely submersed in water or they can overheat causing damage to the pump. Refer to the streambed construction section on page 5 for more detail.

STREAMBED VOLUME

Multiply (in feet) the average length x the average width x the average depth to find cubic feet of streambed volume

2” DEEP = 0.16’

3” DEEP = 0.25’

4” DEEP = 0.33’

Don’t forget that the thickness of your rocks will add extra depth to the water. (e.g. if you have rocks 1” deep covering the bottom of your stream, be sure to incorporate that 1” into your total depth)

BASIN VOLUME

For Eco-Blox: Multiply the cubic feet of the streambed x 3 = cubic feet needed for the basin
Cubic feet ÷ 4.2 = the number of Eco-Blox

For Gravel: Multiply the cubic feet of the streambed x 9 = cubic feet needed for the basin
Cubic feet ÷19 = the number of tons of gravel

Oasis Pump Vault Installation

The PV1700 is Atlantic’s most compact, easy to install pump vault. The PV1700’s features include an incredibly strong enclosure, recessed panels on the front that can accommodate Triton 3-Way Diverters, cut lines on the back for 1½” and 2” pump discharges, and marked drill points on the left and right sides for an Auto Fill.

EXCAVATING AND SETTING THE PV1700 for a WATERFALL or STREAM

Once you have determined the proper size basin for your project, begin by deciding the placement of the vault. The vault should be placed away from the waterfall where the lid can be accessed easily. The PV1700 flat panel will sit flush against the Eco-Blox, so that water can enter the pump vault. The area where the pump vault will sit should be dug 22” deep for the PV1700. When using Eco-Blox, the pump vault will recess lower than the Eco-Blox (Figure A). The area for the Eco-Blox to sit should be dug 18” deep.

Once excavation is complete, install underlayment, pond liner, Eco-Blox and pump vault. Backfill the space between the Eco-Blox and the excavation to lock them into place, either outside the liner with sand or clean fill, or inside the liner with gravel ¾” or larger in diameter. Top the liner and basin with ¾” or larger gravel or decorative stone. Smaller, more decorative gravel, landscape glass, etc. can be used to cover the top of the basin, provided a denser mesh is installed beneath the material.

PLUMBING THE PV1700 FOR A FOUNTAIN

The recessed panels on the front right and left are designed to accommodate up to two optional Triton 3-Way Diverters, to allow plumbing and individual valving of up to six separately controlled decorative elements. To install, drill a 2 ¼” hole with a hole saw (not included). The center point of the hole is marked on the panel.

The center raised area on the front of the PV1700 can be drilled for a single discharge of up to 1 ½” PVC pipe. Your pipe size will determine the size of the hole to drill. The flat panel on the back is designed to accommodate an overflow. The two drill points near the top of the left and right sides are for the installation of an Auto Fill (See Auto Fill and Overflow instructions).

LINER AND PLUMBING ATTACHMENT

Hold the liner up against the flat panel on the back of the Oasis FastFalls enclosure. Leave some excess slack in the liner below the spinweld. This will help alleviate any future strain on the liner connection. Make sure the back surface of the FastFalls, and the back side of the liner is clean and free of debris. Once you are satisfied with the position of the liner, lower it down and prepare to apply the silicone sealant (Figure E).

Apply Atlantic’s Silicone Sealant in a continuous, consistent bead along the center of the threaded inserts. Once completed, return the liner to its dry-fit position. Attach the supplied flange to the FastFalls, starting with the top screw first, working around the flange. If needed, use an awl or nail to pierce the liner before inserting the screws. Do not fully tighten any screws until all of the screws have been installed. Once completed, trim away the liner on the inside of the flange (Figure F).

Tighten flange screws with a hand held screwdriver only. Over tightening the screws could strip out the inserts or crack the liner flange. The screws need only to be snug for the silicone to make a seal.

Apply silicone on the threads of the Male Thread Adaptor (MTA). Screw the MTA into the spinweld until tight. Use PVC Glue (not included) to glue the PVC flex hose into the MTA.

Use a small piece of sandpaper to smooth out the cut end of the discharge pipe. Clean the 2” socket fitting on the bottom of the check valve and the cut end of the discharge pipe with PVC cleaner/primer. Apply PVC glue and insert the discharge pipe into the 2” socket fitting. Hold the discharge pipe firmly in place for a few seconds, giving the glue time to set (Figure I).

If you have removed the outlet fitting from the check valve prior to gluing the connection, make sure to slide the union nut onto the supply pipe before gluing the socket fitting in place.

Attach the Triton Check Valve to the TidalWave pump by threading the discharge pipe into the pump discharge.

MD, TW2 and SH Series pumps include fittings that convert the pump discharge to 1 ½” female threads and are neccessary for proper attachment to the TR215CV.