Installation - AquaScape SIGNATURE 200 Series Instructions & Maintenance

Installation

STEP 1
PLACEMENT OF THE SKIMMER
• In order to maximize circulation, the skimmer should be
placed directly across from a waterfall. If you do not have
a waterfall, use your area's prevailing winds to determine
where you should place your skimmer along the longest
axis. Use the wind to help push the debris toward the
skimmer (Ex. 1).
Skimmer
STEP 2
EXCAVATING YOUR POND BASIN
• If you are installing the skimmer on an existing pond, skip
this step and proceed to step three.
• We suggest excavating the pond no more than 18-24"
deep. This depth provides the proper water levels required
for aquatic plants and is deep enough to keep fish alive
during winter.
• The excavation should be
dug with a series of shelves.
The shelves will add stability
to the walls of the pond
and will also create planting
beds for different types of
aquatic plants.
• The first shelf should be
about 8-10" deep, or the
height of a standard shovel
blade (Ex. 2).
• Dig the second shelf another
8-10" deeper (Ex. 3).
• The third shelf (if desired) will
be excavated down another
6" reaching a final excavation
of 24" (Ex. 4).
4
STEP 3
EXCAVATING YOUR SKIMMER LOCATION
• When installing the skimmer onto an existing pond you
will need to drain the water from the pond. If you have
fish, save some water from the pond and place in a large
bucket, kiddie pool, or cooler. Net your fish and place
them in your container. Be sure to add an aerator and
keep the fish in a shaded area.
• Remove any rock that is within 3 feet on either side and in
front of where you will place the skimmer. Pull your existing
liner and underlayment back into the pond 3-4 feet from
Prevailing Winds
edge so you expose the area that needs to be excavated
for the skimmer.
• We recommend placing the skimmer lid in the position you
have chosen. Overhang the lid about 6" towards the inside
Waterfall
of the pond to allow some slack in the liner and make
attaching the skimmer face plate easier.
• Mark the outside edge of the lid with spray paint or score
the ground around the lid with a shovel.
• Excavate the hole for the skimmer, roughly 18" wide by
21" long (the outline for the skimmer).
• The skimmer should
be excavated down
Ex. 1
to a depth so that the
proposed water level
in the pond is
approximately 3/4"
below the top of
the opening of the
skimmer (Ex. 5). If
installing on an existing
pond use the known water level as your guideline on how
deep to excavate the skimmer.
• Make sure the excavated area under the skimmer is
compacted and level.
• Set the skimmer in place
and use a 2-foot bubble
level in order to make sure
your skimmer is properly set
Ex. 2
into position (Ex. 6). Your
skimmer should be level from
side to side and front
to back.
STEP 4
Ex. 3
INSTALLING THE SKIMMER
OPTIONAL OVERFLOW FITTING ORIENTATION
• If installing the optional overflow you will need to drill a hole
for a 2" bulkhead fitting using a 3" hole saw in the back of
the skimmer. Information on the fittings required to install
the optional overflow can be found in the replacement
Ex. 4
parts section located on page 8 of this manual. There is
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3/4"
Soil Level
on 1st Shelf
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Ideal Water Level
Front of Skimmer
Ex. 5
Ex. 6