Included in this Pond-Less Falls Kit:
The DIY kits come complete with all the necessary equipment to complete the installation including:
- Cascade Box
- Canyon Matrix
- Submersible Pump
- Pump discharge assembly
- Black PVC flexible hose
- Protective underliner
- Rubber EPDM liner
- Instructions
Choosing Your Pond-Less Waterfall Location
The waterfall is best positioned so that you can view it from the outdoor and indoor areas where you plan to enjoy your new water feature.
STEP 1 Plan and Prep Basin area
1a Set the Canyon Matrix into position and mark accordingly so you'll know how big of an area to excavate.
Image description: Person placing the Canyon Matrix into the desired location and marking the excavation area around it.
1b At this time it's a good idea to determine the placement of the Cascade Box and form a rough estimate of the path that the stream will take to enter into the basin.
Image description: Person positioning the Cascade Box and sketching out the stream path on the ground.
Important Note: Please remember to call your local utility company prior to digging to ensure there are no utilities in the excavated area. Also, you will want to remove any sharp roots and rocks that might puncture your liner.
STEP 2 Excavate Basin area
Dig the basin area to the length and depth of the Canyon Matrix while over-digging the width at least 6" so the two slotted sides will have an extra 3 inches on each side.
Dig the hole 28" long x 22" wide x 13" deep.
Diagram showing Canyon Matrix dimensions and excavation area. Canyon Matrix Specs: 16" W, 11.5" H (13" H with lid), 26.5" L. Excavation hole: 28" long x 22" wide x 13" deep, with extra 3" on each side for width.
STEP 3 Install Protective Underliner & Rubber Liner
3a Underliner: Unfold the protective underliner and lay it in the basin. Work your way from the bottom out to ensure the underliner is installed properly, running it up the stream as far as possible. It's okay if the underlayment doesn't go all the way up to the Cascade Box.
Image description: Person unfolding and laying the protective underliner in the basin, working from the bottom up.
3b Rubber Liner: As you unfold the rubber liner, you'll notice it is longer than it is wide. Center it width-wise in the basin on top of the underliner. The length should reach past your waterfall box placement. Keep a 6" overhang all around the basin and up the streambed. Do not cut any of the excess liner at this point.
Image description: Person unfolding the rubber liner, showing it is longer than wide, and centering it in the basin.
STEP 4 Install the Canyon Matrix
Now that you have the underliner and liner installed, place the Canyon Matrix into position. It should be somewhat tight on the short ends of the Canyon Matrix and centered with 3" of space on both long sides. This will allow water to run through the slots and into the Canyon Matrix to the pump.
Image description: Person placing the Canyon Matrix into the prepared basin, ensuring it is tight on short ends and centered with 3" space on long sides.
STEP 5 Inside the Liners - Fill in the Long Sides
Using smaller stone such as river rock, fill both 3" spaces on the long sides between the liner and the Canyon Matrix. These stones should be large enough that they won't slide through the slots into the Canyon Matrix. This stone will help filter the water before entering into the Canyon Matrix where the pump will sit.
Image description: Filling the 3" spaces on the long sides of the Canyon Matrix with small stones (river rock).
Tip: Pre-rinse all stones before placing in your stream. This will help keep water cleaner during start-up.
STEP 6 Outside the Liners - Backfill the Short Sides
Next, lift the liners up and backfill around the short sides of the Canyon Matrix using topsoil or sand. Make sure to pack down to prevent future settling.
Image description: Backfilling around the short sides of the Canyon Matrix with topsoil or sand and packing it down.
STEP 7 Stream Outline
7a Next, pull back the stream liner and lay it over the installed Canyon Matrix while you determine the path that the waterfall and stream will take to enter into the basin.
Image description: Person pulling back the stream liner and laying it over the installed Canyon Matrix.
7b Using paint will help keep a visual reference of what you're working towards.
Image description: Painted lines on the ground indicating the stream path.
STEP 8 Waterfall Drops
8a Dig out the waterfall drops you'd like to create, shaping the soil to create the drops.
Image description: Digging out the ground to create waterfall drops.
8b You may rough in the placement of your key boulders. Be creative!
Image description: Placing key boulders to rough in the waterfall drops.
STEP 9 Hose Placement
9a Dig out area for Cascade Falls Box placement making sure it will sit on packed and leveled ground.
Image description: Digging out an area for the Cascade Falls Box.
9b Now dig a path for the hose from the Canyon Matrix up to the Cascade Box. Move the Cascade Box aside.
Image description: Digging a path for the hose from the Canyon Matrix to the Cascade Box.
AUTOFILL INSTALLATION
Follow these steps to install the autofill valve:
- (A) Take the autofill valve and remove the nut from the threading, leaving the O-ring on the valve.
- (B) Loosen the wing nut.
- (C) Straighten autofill and tighten wingnut.
- (D) Apply thread tape to the valve threading then thread the valve into the spin weld on the inside of the basin.
Image description: Sequence of images (A-D) showing the steps for installing the autofill valve.
STEP 10 Line the Streambed
10a Pull underliner up the streambed as far as it reaches and press into trench. Next, pull rubber liner up to the top of the streambed, past where the Cascade Falls Box will sit.
Image description: Pulling underliner and rubber liner up the streambed.
10b Place flex hose in trench on top of the liner.
Image description: Placing flexible hose in the trench on top of the liner.
STEP 11 Connecting the Pump
11a Screw the Discharge Assembly on to the pump outlet and place in the Canyon Matrix. Feed flex hose through the hole in the side of the Canyon Matrix.
Image description: Attaching the discharge assembly to the pump outlet and placing it in the Canyon Matrix.
11b Connect hose to the discharge assembly using a screw or nut driver to tighten down the hose clamps.
Image description: Connecting the flexible hose to the discharge assembly using a screw or nut driver.
STEP 12 Set up Cascade Box
12a Thread the PVC elbow into the spinweld on the Cascade Box that you will be connecting to the hose.
Image description: Threading a PVC elbow into the spinweld on the Cascade Box.
12b Plug the spinweld on the other side of the Cascade Box with the PVC plug.
Image description: Plugging the spinweld on the other side of the Cascade Box with a PVC plug.
Connecting Water Source:
- (E) Remove the threaded cap on the outside spin weld of the basin.
- (F) If you are using a garden hose connection, take the half-inch nipple, apply thread tape, and insert it into the outside spin weld.
- (F) Take the independent garden hose attachment and thread it onto the nipple.
- (H) Connect your water source.
Image description: Sequence of images (E-H) showing steps for connecting the water source to the basin.
STEP 13 Measure and Trim Flex Hose
Set Cascade Box in position on the liner. Estimate where the black flex hose will need to be trimmed to accommodate its connection to the Cascade Box, then trim away any excess hose.
Image description: Setting Cascade Box in position and estimating hose trim length.
STEP 14 Connect Hose to Cascade Falls Box
Using the supplied PVC Cement, attach the flexible hose to the PVC elbow on the Cascade Box. Hold it in position for 60 seconds to allow the cement to set.
Image description: Attaching flexible hose to the PVC elbow on the Cascade Box using PVC cement.
STEP 15 Adjusting the Cascade Box
Snug up the Cascade Box and attached flex hose by pressing into the liner. Level the Cascade Box so that the water spills out over the waterfall spillway evenly. Backfill as needed for adjustment.
Image description: Snugging up the Cascade Box and hose, then leveling it for even water spill.
STEP 16 Filling the Basin
At this point, you can begin filling the basin with water while you complete the rest of the steps. Along the way, it's a good idea to wash off any dust from your rockwork.
Image description: Filling the basin with water and washing dust off rocks.
LIGHTING
Now is an ideal time to consider the lighting and positioning of light locations while placing the stones for your feature. We recommend the Fountain and Pond 3-Light Kit as an excellent lighting option.
Image description: Close-up of pond lighting fixtures placed among rocks.
STEP 17 Placing Rockwork
Place rock work at the end of the stream area, either just in front of the matrix or, if you are tight on space, you can position your boulders on top of the Canyon Matrix.
Image description: Placing rocks at the end of the stream area or on top of the Canyon Matrix.
ROCKWORK TIPS
Rinsing the dirt off your rocks before placing them will help your stream clear more quickly. Don't worry if this is your first time; let the creative juices flow. If you don't like it, move some rocks around until you do!
STEP 18 Foaming
Use included PondBuild'n Foam to seal in and around the rockwork. This forces the water over the top of the rocks instead of around and beneath them. It greatly enhances the waterfall effect and will help to seal everything together.
Image description: Applying PondBuild'n Foam to seal rockwork.
STEP 19 Trim Liner
You can trim away any excess liner, but we recommend leaving at least 6" along each edge and folding it back into the landscape. This will allow you to adjust if settling occurs in the future.
Image description: Trimming excess liner, leaving a 6" overhang.
Plug in Your Pump and ENJOY!
Your stream may appear slightly muddy at first. Be patient—this is a natural process, and the water will gradually clear as the system settles.
Basin Layout Recommendations
Diagrams showing top and side views of the basin area, and layout options for 10" and 20" spillways with stream dimensions. Includes Canyon Matrix dimensions and capacity: 21 gallon, Max Pump Flow: 2500 gph.
Recommended Routine Water Treatments
Water treatment use depends on product, time of season, and condition of the water feature. Use as directed. Safe for wildlife, birds, and pets.
Muck Buster® Dissolving Tablets - Muck Reducer
Accelerates the decomposition of organic matter caused by rotting leaves and algae. Muck Buster's multi-purpose cleaning action cleans ponds with an unprecedented combination of activated barley, natural bacteria, enzymes, and a powerful secret ingredient. Item# PB2682
Pond Fix® Dry - Pond Cleaner
Use to simply “lift” debris from waterfalls, streams, rocks and anywhere debris occurs. This granular product works on contact, adding oxygen to the pond and removing odor. Apply on a schedule opposite of Muck Buster, so it won't interfere with its beneficial bacteria maintenance processes. Item# PB2057
Share Your Project!
Now, snap a picture of your completed waterfall and post it to our Facebook page at facebook.com/bluethumbinc!
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