installing a granite ball

Installing a ball feature

It is easy to install a small ball feature providing a little thought is given. Big ball features are installed in a similar way, but access is required for the heavy lifting gear, as some of the balls weigh several tons each. You need to have a sump, the choice of this is up to you but you can use a water tank providing it is big enough and well supported and can not move.

If your sump allows you could have the pump off set with a "trap door" in you grille which covers the sump. This is so that you can easily access the pump for servicing,

Alternatively you can mount the pump directly under the base.

In either case the sump must be level in all directions, and when the base is mounted it too must be level in all directions. Failure to do this will mean the ball will not rotate.

Periodic cleaning:

The sump and base must be thoroughly cleaned, this is so that no small particles get pumped up to the base of the ball, as this has been known to stop the ball rotating, if this happens the ball should be removed and the base / sump cleaned.

Over wintering

In cold months the ball should be switched off, and partially drained this is because, the cold temperatures can cause the water to freeze and this may damage the pump, it is also a good idea if it will be extremely cold that the ball and sump are covered in "bubble wrap"

To the left is a drawing with a large sump with room to off set the pump. The ball is sitting on its base which is on a grille, the grille is in turn supported by bricks

Larger ball fountains should be mounted on a solid floor with a remote pump and filter situated close by. A filter is required only if the ball is situated in a "dusty area" this is to prevent small particles from being pumped up to the ball

Drawing NOT to Scale

A) Base

B) Ball

C) Water feed pipe

D) Supports

E) Pump

F) Feed Pipe

G) Hole in base

H ) "well" in base in which ball sits

If the feed pipe used is smaller than the hole in the base we suggest that genuine silicone is used between the feed pipe and the hole, this will insure that no leaks are present and that all the available water will rotate the ball.

To the left is a Round base (drain hole is at bottom right) In the centre you can see the copper feed pipe which is surrounded by silicone

Once the base is secure (any cement must be allowed to thoroughly dry ) the feed pipe can be installed and cut / adjusted so that it is FLUSH with the bottom of the "well" and a liberal amount of silicone applied (surplus silicone to be removed) The silicone must be left to thoroughly dry out, if not the water pressure will displace it causing a "leak" resulting in the ball not rotating.

When all is ready fill sump with water and switch on pump, the ball may need an initial push to start it rotating, this is normal, once the ball is rotating it can be pushed in any direction and it will rotate in that direction, how ever the ball may develop a "natural direction" to which it will rotate, again this is perfectly normal.

Providing all the above instructions and periodic cleaning are carried out your ball fountain will give you years of pleasure

Sorry, we no longer supply these balls