Atlantic PS4600 User Manual

Instruction

Manual

1-877-80-PONDS

www.atlanticwatergardens.com

Table of Contents

WATER GARDENS

Determining Pond Volume Page 3
Determining Surface Area Page 3
Streambed Construction Page 4
Placement of FilterFalls and Skimmer Page 4

PRO SERIES SKIMMER INSTALLATION

Excavating and Setting the Skimmer Page 5
Attaching the Liner Page 5
Attaching the Weir Door Page 6
Plumbing the Skimmer Page 7

PRO SERIES FILTERFALLS INSTALLATION

Bulkhead Installation Page 7
Setting the FilterFalls Page 8
Liner Attachment Page 8

POND-FREE

Eco-Blox vs. Gravel Page 9
Streambed Volume Page 9

Basin Volume Page 9

PUMP VAULT INSTALLATION

Excavating and setting the Pump Vault Page 10
Plumbing the Pump Vault Page 10

FASTFALLS INSTALLATION

Setting the FastFalls Page 11
Liner and Plumbing Attachment Page 11

Hiding the FastFalls Page 12

PRO SERIES ACCESSORIES

Bottom Drain Kit Page 12
Back Flush Kit Page 14
Skimmer Overflow Triton Check Valve Page 14
Auto Fill Overflow Page 16

SKIMMERS & FILTERFALLS COMPATIBILITY CHART

MODEL

BF1900

BF2600

BF3800

MODEL

PS4600

PS7000

PS15000

SPILLWAY

WIDTH

19” 28”W x 25”D x 21.5”H 2,500-4,000 gph 2” 2,000 gal

26” 34.5”W x 25”D x 23”H 4,000-6,000 gph 2” 4,000 gal

38” 46.5”W x 30”D x 23”H 6,000-8,000 gph 3” 8,000 gal

WEIR

DOOR

6” 19½”W x 26”D x 22”H 2,000-4,000 gph 400 15½”

9” 25”W x 30”D x 24”H 4,000-7,000 gph 900 17½”

14” 28”W x 33”D x 31”H 7,000-15,000 gph 1400 24½”

PRODUCT

DIMENSIONS

PRODUCT

DIMENSIONS

PUMP

RANGE

PUMP

RANGE

BULKHEAD

SIZE

SQ. FT

RATING

MAX. POND

VOLUME

INTERNAL

WATER DEPTH

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.

Use the product specification/cross reference guide on page 2 to verify
the maximum pond volume and flow rates for Pro Series Equipment.

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

Figure 1.

LENGTH

DEPTH

WIDTH

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 the
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 accomodate.

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

Figure 2.

3’3”

5’

10’

8’

10’ x 5’ = 50sq ft pond surface area
50sq ft x .5 = 25sq ft stream surface area

3

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 3.

Top of water

Top of liner

Top of water

Top of liner

Transitional Water

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.

Figure 4.

Top of water

Transitional

Water

Top of liner

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.

4

Pro Series Skimmer Installation

EXCAVATING AND SETTING THE SKIMMER

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. Find your model number below to
determine the approximate depth of the hole.
Do not dig too deep. The skimmer should be set on undisturbed earth if possible. 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.

16 - 17” PS4600
18 - 19” PS7000
24 - 25” PS15000

Figure 5.

WATER

LINE

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. The water level needs to be between
1¼” and 1 ½” below the top of the weir door opening and even with the water level indicator
molded on the side of the Skimmer. (PS15000 only)
Make sure that any unexcavated soil that is left in front of the Skimmer is at least 10” below
water level (See Figure 5). 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, place a few stones inside the
Skimmer enclosure to weigh it down and keep it from moving. Install the solid support bar(s)
and begin backfilling. The support bar(s) 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.

1 ¼” -1 ½”

10” MIN

WATER LEVEL

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 slack in the liner below the weir opening. This will help
avoid 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.

5