Installation of your in-line water level controller is simple! 

Installation Made Easy

  1. Prepare the Trench
    Start by digging a trench from the bottom of the pond or habitat. Ensure it's deep enough to accommodate the pipe and provide a stable path for water flow.

  2. Locate the Control Box Area
    Identify the optimal location for the water level control box. Position it where access is convenient for maintenance and monitoring.

  3. Attach PVC Pipe
    Securely attach either Schedule 40 or SDR 35 PVC pipe to the flexible couplings included in your kit. Ensure the connections are tight and leak-free.

  4. Bury the Controller and Pipe
    Carefully bury the controller and pipe, avoiding rocks and large clumps of soil that could exert pressure on the system. Maintain proper coverage to protect the components from environmental elements.

Follow these steps, and you’ll have your water level control system up and running in no time. Get it done right—the first time!

Our water level control box is designed to accept standard flexible rubber couplings suitable for PVC pipe.

The inlet and outlet pipe stubs on our water level control box are made from heavy-duty durable aluminum with an outer diameter to match 6-inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe. 

Flexible rubber couplings fit over our aluminum outlet stubs and the mating PVC pipe. The couplings are tightened with band clamps to form a watertight seal.  These couplings are not rated for delivery water pressure but they are tested to 4.3 psi which equates to 10 feet of head pressure that might be encountered in a drainpipe application. 

Two commercial sources for these couplings are:

Fernco          1056-66

Bluefin          FRC600

Interestingly, there is not a standard rubber flex coupling available specifically for SDR 35.    Likewise, the manufacturers do not specifically caution against using these connectors on SDR 35.  They simply designate one diameter for “plastic or cast iron” pipe. The straight end of an SDR 35 pipe is smaller than a Schedule 40 pipe.   A flexible rubber connector fits loosely. It is common practice to tighten the clamp to cinch the coupling onto the straight end.  The outside diameter for a 6-inch SDR 35 bell mouth is slightly larger than a Schedule 40 pipe.  With slight persuasion, a flexible rubber coupling can be pushed onto the outside of the bell end of an SDR 35 pipe to achieve a tight seal.   While this is unconventional, it works well.

A plastic sewer pipe coupling on the straight end of an SDR 35 pipe could be used as a bushing to provide a better fit for a flexible rubber coupling.

For heights above 10 feet, use a strongback shielded coupling.     These have a metal reinforcement around the flexible rubber portion of the coupling to add strength.

Fernco          1056-66RC

Orienting the pipe -- What is the correct direction for the bell mouth?

Manufacturers say that the direction of the bell mouth does not make a difference for water flow in normal situations – water will flow properly in either direction.   Common practice in drainage applications is to put the bell mouth on the “uphill side” of the pipe.  Our experience indicates it is not critical.

Installing the Stop Logs

Push the stop logs into the slots on each side of the water level control box.   The rubber seals are designed to fit snuggly in place with just enough clearance to slide easily in the slots.    A T-handle tool is provided to push and pull the stop logs within the slots.   Place all of the boards into the water level control box then pull up on the board at the desired water level.  This will open a gap in the wall of stop logs for the water to flow.   At least a three-inch gap between the stop logs is necessary to achieve full flow.    The stop logs are provided in varying heights.  They can be rearranged to place the gap where desired.

Special top boards are available with a contour to taper the flow as the water level nears the desired level. 

The design of the water level control box is resistant to crushing.  While it is preferable to  have the stop logs in place before the water box is installed, it is not necessary.

The rubber seals are good but not perfect.   Some slight seepage is normal. 

 

Lockable Lid

A lockable lid is provided.   The lid is intended to keep wildlife out, deter tampering and prevent children from dropping debris into the box.   The lid also provides a safety measure to keep someone from accidentally stepping into the box or a pet from falling into the box.  

 

Coatings

Our standard box is made from uncoated aluminum.   It will last for many years in applications involving fresh water and normal soil conditions.

We offer an optional high-performance powder coating for applications involving:

  • Salt water

  • Soil PH below 4.5 or above 8.5

  • Soils with very high levels of sulphates or nitrates

  • Need for higher visibility

Inlet Screens

A properly placed inlet pipe with an inlet screen is essential for trouble-free operation because of the aforementioned problems with clogs.  Without a screen, debris will be sucked into the inlet or aquatic wildlife might enter.  

The goal is to stop debris that will clog the pipe or level control box.  The screen will clog easily if the inlet holes are too small.   The screen will not prevent clogs if the inlet holes are too large.  

Some debris is expected to collect on the inlet screen if it is working.   It is important that the inlet screen openings have a surface area significantly greater than the cross-sectional area of the pipe to ensure proper flow.