Pond-Free Water Features

When installing any type of pond-free basin it is a good idea to calculate the amount of water the basin can hold before you build the waterfalls. Upon startup, 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 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 could drop below the pump before the water levels equalize. This would result in the pump running dry and/or overheating.

Echo Chamber Installation

The Echo Chamber patented design enables it to hold three times more water in the same amount of space as traditional gravel basins. The Echo Chamber is also modular. Multiple Echo Chambers can be plumbed together to increase water volume (for longer streambeds), or to increase the basins width (for wider waterfalls). The versatility and ease of installation is what makes the Echo Chamber the best choice for pond-free features.

WATER VOLUME

The Echo Chamber holds 100 gallons of water. As a rule of thumb, your pondfree basin should hold three times the amount of water as the waterfalls and streambeds above it. This means that one Echo Chamber will accommodate a streambed that holds 33 gals of water. Use the formula below to calculate the streambed volume of your project.

EXCAVATING AND SETTING THE ECHO CHAMBER

Dig a hole approximately 3’ wide, 4’ long and 26” deep. *Do not dig too deep.* The Echo Chamber 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. Place the Echo Chamber into the excavated hole. The top lip of the Echo Chamber should be about 1” above the surrounding grade. Check the top of the chamber to make sure that it is level front-to-back and side-to-side. It is a good idea to place a few stones inside the Echo Chamber at this time to weigh it down and keep it from moving.

Install the 1 ½” solid support tubes and begin backfilling. The support tubes must be in place for the enclosure to retain its shape during the back-filling process. Loosely backfill the Echo Chamber 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

LIMITED SPLASH

Remove the support tubes. Drape approximately 1’ of pond liner over the side of the Echo Chamber. Replace the support tubes one at a time starting at the center and working your way to the outside walls. Once you have inserted the support tubes, install the top grate(s).

Leave at least 4” of liner between the hole and the outside walls. Place the grate(s) on top of the support tubes, sandwiching the liner. Any water that splashes inside the liner ring will be funneled back into the chamber.

MULTIPLE ECHO CHAMBERS

For installations that require extra water volume, or an extra wide basin, multiple Echo Chambers can be connected together. Drill-points have been provided on all sides of the chamber to show the proper location for the installation of a 3” bulkhead fitting. When installing two or more units, they must be plumbed together so they can share water.