DIY Network

Installing a Water Garden: Waterfall Connections From "Waterscapes" episode DWAT-103

Connecting the pump's flexible hose to the larger 2-inch elbow requires a PVC adapter.

In this segment of DIY's Waterscapes workshop, the connections to the water garden's pump and skimmer are completed.

Pond waterfall tank
2" flexible PVC pipe
Coupler and increaser fittings
PVC cement and solvent

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Gluing the Skimmer Connections

With the 1"-to-2" increaser-adapter in place on the 1-1/4" hose leading from the pump, the PVC elbow will need to be connected to the elbow fitting (figure A). These are attached using PVC cement and solvent.

• Using the PVC solvent and the solvent-applicator provided, clean the surfaces where the elbow and adapter will meet.

• Allow a few seconds for the solvent to dry. Then, using the glue and glue-applicator provided, apply glue to the mating surfaces of the elbow and adapter (figure B).

• Connect the pieces together and press firmly (figure C).

• After a few seconds, the PVC cement will begin to harden. Allow the glue to cure for about 30 minutes. Once the glue has cured, the pieces will be permanently joined together (figure D).

• Following the same procedure of cleaning and gluing, do the same for the elbow connection to the PVC flexible pipe (figure E).

  Tip: Since the PVC cement makes a permanent bond, it's a good idea to conduct dry-fittings of all components before gluing.
  

Once all of the components are connected on this water garden, the skimmer will pump filtered water through about 14 feet of flexible PVC pipe, which leads, at the far end of the pond, to the waterfall (figure F). The waterfall (figure G) will fill from the bottom, and provide a natural cascade of water into the pond. First, a few more connections will need to be made.

Figure F

Figure G

	Figure H
	Figure I
	Figure J

• This waterfall tank comes with a 1-1/2" bulkhead already built in (figure H).

• As with the skimmer, attaching the waterfall to the 2-inch flexible PVC pipe will require the connection of adapter pieces -- a 1-1/2 inch 90-degree fitting and an increaser-adapter (figure I).

• Connect these fittings just as you did with the skimmer. Use the solvent to clean the mating surfaces, then glue the pieces together using the PCV cement. This will allow the connection of the bulkhead to the 2-inch PVC pipe (figure J).
  

RESOURCES :

The Water Garden Design Book
ISBN: 0764153730
Authors: Yvonne Rees, Peter May
Barrons Educational Series
(August 2001)
To order this book from Amazon, click here.

The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden
ISBN: 0821227963
Author: Philip Swindells
Publisher: Bulfinch
(April, 2002)
To order this book from Amazon, click here.

GUESTS :
Rick Bartel
Owner, Autumn Mist Aquatics
(423) 838-7663
www.AutumnMistAquatics.com