Pump Vault Installation

This is a contractor grade pump vault available on the market today. This pump vault features include an incredibly strong enclosure with an 18” top opening and a doublewalled lid, flat panels for custom plumbing applications, cut lines for 2” and 3” pump discharges as well as 4” and 6” cut lines for SDR35 pipe extensions.

WATER VOLUME (GRAVEL BASINS)

Gravel basins consist of 60% rock and only 40% water. As a rule of thumb, your pond-free basin should hold three times the amount of water as the waterfalls and streambeds above it. It is critical to calculate the water volume that the gravel basin can hold before you begin construction of the waterfalls or streambed. Use the formula below to calculate the water volume of your gravel basin. Use that number to determine the maximum size for the waterfalls and streambed.

GRAVEL BASIN VOLUME

Multiply (in feet) the average length x the average width x the average depth to find cubic feet x 7.48 = gallons. Multiply gallons x .4 = gallons in gravel basin. Divide gallons in basin by 3 = maximum gallons for streambed

STREAMBED VOLUME

Multiply (in feet) the average length x the average width x the average depth to find cubic feet x 7.48 = gallons

EXCAVATING AND SETTING THE PUMP VAULT

EXCAVATING AND SETTING THE PUMP VAULT Once you have determined the proper size basin for your project, begin by deciding the placement of the vault. The vault should be placed away from the waterfall where the lid can be accessed easily. It is important to keep the vault at least 8” away from the sides of the basin so that water can enter on all sides.

The area where the pump vault will sit should be dug 32” deep. The rest of the basin should be dug with the bottom sloping toward the pump vault. This will help direct sediment into the vault and make seasonal cleaning easier.

Once excavation is complete, install underlayment, pond liner, and place the pump vault. Begin back-filling with gravel. Any gravel smaller than ¾” can enter the pump vault through the intake slots and be sucked up by the pump, so it is important to start filling first with larger stone, and then transition to a smaller more decorative stone toward the top.

PLUMBING THE PUMP VAULT

The pump vault does not come pre-drilled for the pump discharge. Not predrilling the hole gives the installer the flexibility of exiting the vault on any side and with any sized pipe. Drill-points and cut lines have been provided for 2” and 3” flex PVC. Two panels at the top have been left flat for custom plumbing applications as well as the installation of an Auto-fill and overflow.

Cut lines for 4” and 6” SDR35 have been provided on two bottom panels. Pipe extensions can be added to increase the flow of water into the vault and also increase the ability to channel debris into the vault.