A Pondless® Waterfall is simply a waterfall without the pond.

The perfect solution for small spaces or family homes with small children.  This is also the ideal water feature for the front of the home since it can be tucked into any corner.  Children will spend hours playing in and around this system.  This kit contains all the necessary components to create a Pondless® Waterfall.

• MicroFalls® Filter - This is the starting point of your waterfall
• MicroCentipede Module - Provides space for water to be returned to the pump
• MicroSnorkel Vault - Provides access to your pump and allows you to check the water level in the system
• AquaSurge 2000 waterfall pump
• 25 feet of 1 ½” quality kink-free hose
• 10’ X 12’ Pond Liner made from quality EPDM 45 mil fish safe rubber - 20 year guarantee!
• Geotextile Underlayment - Protects liner from sharp objects
• Complete installation instructions and owner’s manual

• Installation & Maintenance Instructions
  
  STEP 1Locate & mark out your basin area
  
  • We suggest that you use a plain, old garden hose to define the shape of your new water feature. The hose is flexible, and can be pushed and pulled in various shapes. Step back, evaluate and modify your design until you have something that you really like.
  
  • The MicroPond® Kit is available in three sizes (4’x6’, 6’x8’, and 8’x11’) and the MicroPondless® Kit is available in one size (4’x6’). Double check to make sure the length and width of your layout does not exceed the amount of liner required for the pond.
  
  • Be sure to locate your new water garden close to a patio, deck, porch, or other hardscape, so you can sit and relax close to your pond. Also, keep in mind viewpoints of the water garden and waterfalls from inside. Try to make it visible from the kitchen, family room, or bedroom for yearround enjoyment.
  
  • Once you have the water garden shaped and defined with your hose, take a can of brightly colored, highly visible spray paint and outline the shape (around the hose) on the grass.
  
  STEP 2
  
  Place MicroSeries filters into position
  
  • Since the MicroFalls® filter is typically the main waterfalls, it should be positioned so it’s facing the main viewing areas. • Make sure it is placed close to the edge of the MicroPond®/ MicroPondless® basin so you can use the pond liner to connect up to the MicroFalls® filter – unless you’re adding a stream. Adding a stream will require the MicroFalls® to be set further away from the MicroPond®/MicroPondless ® basin and will require an extra section of stream liner. Your local Aquascape supplier can help you determine the additional products required to build longer streams and waterfalls.
  
  STEP 3
  
  Lay plumbing
  
  • To eliminate the need for trenching, lay the kink-free pipe in a place around the perimeter of the MicroPond® or MicroPondless® basin. This should be completedbefore you begin your excavation on the soil you remove from the pond can cover the kink-free pipe, disguising it from sight.
  
  STEP 4
  
  Hook up and level the MicroFalls®
  
  • The first step is to install the bulkhead fitting in the hole provided in the back of the MicroFalls®. The rubber washer should be located on the inside of the MicroFalls®.Tighten the nut on the outside until the rubber washer begins to bulge. This should only be approximately one turn past hand-tight. Be careful not to over tighten thenut, which could possibly crack the bulkhead. Please note that the bulkhead fitting is reverse threaded. So, in other words, turn the nut counterclockwise totighten! (See figs. 4 & 5)
  
  • Now install the barb fitting included with your kit into the bulkhead fitting. A PVC slip fitting has also been included in case you are using flexible PVC pipe. Use some of the silicone sealant to coat the threads of the fitting, in order to help provide a watertight seal.
  
  • Now it’s time to position the Micro-Falls® in the desired location.
  
  • The MicroFalls® should be set at or slightly below the grade of the yard. Simply remove a section of sod or a few inches of soil in order to create a firm foundation forthe MicroFalls® to sit. Design tip - Keep the waterfall to the scale of the yard! The goal should be to create the perception that Mother Nature herself has constructedthe waterfall. Avoid creating a “volcanic look” by trying to raise the MicroFalls® in a flat backyard.
  
  • Be sure to compact the area beneath the MicroFalls® box using a hand tamper or some other heavy flat object that can be pounded onto the soil. This will help preventany future settling.
  
  • Use a 2’ bubble level in order to make sure your MicroFalls® is properly set into position. Your MicroFalls® should be level from side-to-side and tilt forward ¼ of abubble on a 2’ level. This will make sure the water comes over the front of the MicroFalls® and covers the entire spillway.
  
  • The filter is now ready for the kink-free pipe and hose clamp to be slipped onto the pipe fitting. The connection is designed to be tight and it may take some forceto get the pipe on the barb fitting. Twisting the pipe clockwise may help thread the pipe onto the fitting. Have someone hold the MicroFalls® in place in order to prevent it from shifting out of level. Once installed, the hose clamp can be tightened to secure the pipe on the fitting.
  
  • Double check to make sure the MicroFalls® is still level after installing the plumbing.
  
  STEP 5Excavate your MicroPondless® basin
  
  The shape and depth
  
  • Digging is very labor-intensive, so pace yourself and get some friends and family to help you.
  
  • We suggest excavating the basin no more than 24” deep. This depth provides the proper water volume in the basin to operate the waterfalls.
  
  • All of the soil removed from the excavation can be spread and compacted around the Micro-Falls®, creating a berm. The filter should be completely surroundedby soil by the end of the project. Leveling the edges
  
  • One of the most important parts of the excavation is getting the perimeter of the basin level. An excellent tool for this is a 2x4 set across the basin. Set a 4-footbubble level on the 2x4 to make sure the perimeter of the basin is level. We recommend using a transit or sight level on larger projects. Check your progressseveral times while digging.
  
  • Re-check all your measurements, including length and width of basin, plant shelf depth, and overall basin depth.
  
  STEP 5
  
  Excavate your MicroPond® basin
  
  The shape and depth
  
  • Digging is very labor intensive, so pace yourself and get some friends and family to help you.
  • We suggest excavating the pond no more than 18-24” deep. This depth provides the proper water levels required for aquatic plants and is deep enough to keepfish alive during winter. See the maintenance section for more information on caring for fish.
  • The excavation should be dug with a series of shelves. The shelves will add stability to the walls of the pond and will also create planting beds for different typesof aquatic plants.
  • The first shelf should be about 8-10” down, or the height of a standard shovel.
  • The second is typically down another 8-10”.
  • The third shelf (if desired) will be excavated down another 6”, reaching a final excavation of 24”.
  • All of the soil removed from the excavation can be spread and compacted around the Micro-Falls®, creating a berm. The filter should be completely surrounded by soil by the end of the project.Design spaces for plants
  • Design your shelves wider in areas where you wish to place aquatic plants.
  • Marginal and bog plants require a water depth up to about 10”, so the top shelf is a perfect location for these plants.
  • Water lilies will vary according to species, but a depth of 12-24” at the crown works best, so the second shelf or bottom of the pond will work great for the lilies.
  • To make planting lilies easier, add a few ‘lily pockets.’ These pockets are simply depressions or bowls cut into the soil 6-8” deep and 10-16” in diameter. The goal isto create a natural looking pond, and this is possible only if plant pots are eliminated or completely hidden. Leveling the edges
  • One of the most important parts of the excavation is getting the perimeter of the pond level and setting the level of the water. An excellent tool for this is a 2x4 set across the pond. Set a 4-foot bubble level on the 2x4 to make sure the perimeter of the pond is level. We recommend using a transit or sight level on larger projects. Check your progress several times while digging.
  • It is typical to set the water level 2- 3” below the main viewing area (patio, deck, etc.). This will bring the water level of the pond up close to the edge of the pond without going over the sides.
  • Rough out an excavated area for the MicroSkim®. Simply dig a hole 18” wide by 21” long (the outline of the skimmer) and 18” below the desired water level.
  • The skimmer should be excavated down to a depth so that the proposed water level in the pond is approximately ¾” below the top of the opening of the skimmer.
  • Re-check all your measurements, including length and width of pond, plant shelf depth, and overall pond depth.
  
  STEP 6
  
  Install underlayment and liner
  
  • Remove any sharp objects from the excavated hole that may damage the liner.
  • Unfold the underlayment fabric and place it into your excavated MicroPondless®/MicroPond® basin. Starting from the bottom, remove the slack from the underlayment,making sure it conforms into all of the elevations.
  • Now place the EPDM fish-safe liner on top of the underlayment.
  • The installation process is the same as the underlayment, starting at the bottom and contouring the liner up and out of the MicroPondless®/MicroPond® basin.
  • Try to get the large folds out, but the main goal is to make sure that it’s lying flat and going into all corners. Don’t try to get it perfect—you will hide the liner with rocks and gravel later.
  • Make sure the liner is high enough around the edges of the Micro-Pondless®/MicroPond® basin. This should not be a problem if you measured out the pond and excavated it correctly. Problems can be fixed by readjusting the liner into the excavation, backfilling (making the MicroPondless®/ MicroPond® basin smaller) in areas here there is not enough liner, or simply buying a larger liner.
  
  STEP 7
  
  Installing the MicroSnorkel™ Vault and MicroCentipede™ Module
  
  You’re getting off easy on this step if you are installing the MicroPondless® system. Simply place the MicroSnorkel™ Vault and MicroCentipede™ Module back intotheir proper positions on top of the liner.
  
  STEP 7
  
  Installing the MicroSkim®
  
  Set up and level the MicroSkim®
  
  • You’ve already roughed out a hole approximately 21”(l) x 18” (w) x 18” (h) deep during the excavation phase. Use a 2’ bubble level in order to make sure your MicroSkim® is properly set into position. Your MicroSkim® should be level from side to side and front to back.
  • Install the bulkhead fitting into the overflow hole. Refer if needed back to the steps under the “Hookup and Level MicroFalls®” section for details on installing the bulkhead fitting. (THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE SKIMMER IS SET INTO PLACE, OTHERWISE YOU CANNOT TIGHTEN THE BULKHEAD FITTING.)
  • Make sure skimmer is set so the desired water level in the pond is approximately ¾" below the top of skimmer opening.Attaching the MicroSkim® faceplate
  • Position the liner against the MicroSkim® opening, making sure there is slack below the opening. This will help reduce tension on the faceplate when placing boulders infront of the unit.
  • Mark the outer perimeter of the MicroSkim® opening on the liner, then mark a second box 1.5” inside of it. This insures that you don’t cut too much of the liner, which would result in a possible leak.
  • The hole located in the back of the MicroSkim® is for the overflow. The overflow will help maintain the maximum water level in the pond after rainfall, ensuring that your skimmer works properly and water does not travel over the edges of the liner and cause problems with hydrostatic pressure.
  • Cut the inner box using a pair of scissors, and insert the skimmer faceplate into the hole.
  • Make sure MicroSkim® faceplate is in the upright position.
  • Temporarily install the faceplate and liner to the skimmer using two screws in the upper corners. Using an awl or nail poke the first hole in the liner all the way through to the inside of the filter box. Be careful not to damage the threads on the nut inserts when punching the holes with the awl! Remove the awl or nail while holding the aceplate and liner in place and begin threading one of the screws into filter. Repeat this process for the other screw.
  • Now remove the faceplate from the skimmer, keeping the screws installed through the faceplate and liner.
  • Apply a bead of fish-safe silicone sealant around the skimmer opening, over the nut inserts. Pre-installing the two screws in the earlier steps will make it easy to line up the skimmer faceplate after the silicone is applied and will keep the silicone in as thick of a bead as possible.
  • Replace the skimmer faceplate and the two corner screws, and then proceed with the bottom two corners. Make sure the holes in the faceplate that the weir flap clicks into are on the bottom.
  • With the 4 corners secured, you may now punch the remaining holes with your awl and thread in all the screws. Again, be careful not to damage the threads on the nut inserts.
  • Let dry for at least one hour before introducing water! Note: Power tools are not recommended for installing the screws and may strip the nut inserts.
  
  STEP 8
  
  Add rock and gravel
  
  Rocking in the Pondless® Waterfall
  
  • Add 1 ½” to 2” size gravel into the basin up to the side of the basin.
  • A finishing layer of decorative gravel can be added to the top if desired.
  • Set larger boulders (6” – 18”) around the perimeter to support the edges of the basin. The plumbing from the MicroFalls® filter should be brought over a slightly lowered edge of the liner and to the location of the MicroPondless® Vault. Boulders and gravel can be used to hide the plumbing.
  • You can expect to use several tons of stone and gravel for your water feature. Talk to your Aquascape dealer for help choosing the quantity and sizes of stone and gravel.
  • Start from the bottom and set the largest character boulders first against the vertical walls, then stack the smaller boulders on top.
  • Be careful when placing any large boulders so you don’t damage the liner.
  • The opening on the front of the MicroSkim® can be hidden by placing boulders on either side and bridging a stone across, creating a cave effect.
  
  Note: Make sure the boulders do not block the waterflow into the skimmer.
  
  • Cover all remaining flat surfaces with a couple inches of decorative gravel. This will help lock the boulders in place, as well as cover the remaining liner, protecting it from ultraviolet rays, and giving bacteria a place to colonize, not to mention it just looks better.
  • This is also a good time to add lilies to the plant pockets. Remove the lily from the pot and place it into the lily pocket. Top-dress the lily with a layer of gravel to hold the soil into place. Lilies, if not on hand at this time, can be added after the pond is filled.
  
  STEP 9
  
  Wash rocks and gravel
  
  Wash the rock and gravel down in order to remove the dust and dirt. Use the pump provided with the kit attached to a scrap section of kink-free pipe. The pump can be temporarily set in the MicroSkim® or MicroSnorkel™ Vault, and the water discharged to a drainage area in the yard.
  
  STEP 10
  
  Hooking up the pump and plumbing
  
  The MicroPondless® and MicroPond® utilize the same style pump and plumbing fittings. Connect the pump plumbing kit to the pump and tighten all clamps before lowering into the MicroSkim® or MicroSnorkel™ Vault. The plumbing assembly includes a threaded union disconnect that will allow you to remove the pump when needed. MicroPond® - The following steps are specific to the MicroSkim®. Skip down if you are hooking up the pump in a MicroSnorkel™ Vault.• The MicroSkim® has two holes on either side of the unit for the plumbing to travel to the MicroFalls®. Choose the plumbing hole that is most convenient. The pipe simply passes through the opening on either side of the MicroSkim®.• The pump’s electrical cord can be set in the slot located in the back, top edge of the skimmer.
  
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  Overflow Installation
  
  • Now install the barb fitting and clamp included with your kit into the bulkhead fitting. Use some of the silicone sealant to coat the threads of the fitting, in order to help provide a water-tight seal. A PVC slip fitting has also been included in case you are using flexible PVC pipe. • Attach and trench a section of kinkfree pipe into place (3’ minimum). Create a drainage area at the end of the pipe by excavating a small pit, roughly 16” in diameter andat least 12” deep. Fill the pit with excess gravel. This will allow water in an overflow situation to flow through the pipe and drain away from the pond.• A layer of scrap underlayment fabric, soil or sod can be added to cover the drainage area.
  
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  MicroPondless® - The kink-free pipe from the MicroFalls® can be trimmed to proper length and inserted through the slot on the side of the MicroSnorkel™ Vault. Insert the barbed fitting on the end of the plumbing assembly into the kink-free pipe and tighten the clamp. The cord from the pump can be buried just beneath the stone and gravel and run over to the electrical supply.
  
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  STEP 11
  
  Add water
  
  Fill up the MicroPondless® or MicroPond® basin with water. The MicroPond® should be filled just below the level of the overflow in the MicroSkim®. The MicroPondless® is typically filled to a point just below the gravel.
  
  Note: We recommend adding EcoSystems ® EcoStarter™ to dechlorinate and properly condition city water prior to introducing fish to your MicroPond®. See owner’s manual section for tips on adding fish to the pond.
  
  STEP 12
  
  Build the waterfall
  
  Note: Filter mats and media nets are not needed if installing a MicroPondless® system.
  
  Hook up the MicroFalls®
  
  • Prior to installing the waterfall lip, make sure the face of the filter and liner is clean and free of dust and debris.
  • Have someone hold the liner against the MicroFalls® while you line up the waterfall snout over the liner. Make sure there are no wrinkles and the liner comes up above the sides of the MicroFalls®. Be sure that you have a few inches of slack liner along the front base of your MicroFalls®. This will help reduce tension on the waterfall lipwhen placing boulders in front of the unit.
  • Temporarily install the waterfall lip and liner to the MicroFalls® using the two outermost screws. Using an awl or nail, poke the first hole in the liner all the way through to the inside of the MicroFalls®. Be careful not to damage the threads on the nut inserts when punching the holes with the awl! Remove the awl or nail while holding waterfall snout and liner in place and begin threading one of the screws into the filter. Repeat this process for the other screw.
  
  Note: Power tools are not recommended for installing the screws and may strip the nut inserts.
  
  • Now remove the waterfall lip from the MicroFalls®, keeping the screws installed through the waterfall lip and liner. • Place a thick bead of silicone across the insert nuts on the front of the MicroFalls®. Pre-installing the two screws in the earlier steps will make it easy to line up the waterfall snoutafter the silicone is applied and will keep the silicone in as thick of a bead as possible.
  • Reattach the waterfall lip and liner using the two pre-installed screws.
  • Using an awl or nail, poke the remaining holes in the waterfall lip and install the rest of the screws.
  • Let dry for at least one hour before introducing water!
  • Install the two filter pads into the MicroFalls®.
  • Add approximately 10 lbs of lava stone or Aquascape BioBalls™ (not included) into the media net. Set the media bag on top of the filter mats.
  
  *Please Note: Filter media is not included with the MicroPondless® Waterfall unit. The aggregate in the basin provides a much larger surface area for bacteria to grow than the filter media do.
  
  Creating the waterfall
  
  • Place two larger boulders on either side of the waterfalls you are creating in order to “frame” the waterfalls. The water will be running between the two larger boulders you’ve set in place .
  • You can now begin to stack the rocks between the two larger boulders. These are the rocks that the water will be running over, so take your time and be creative. Start with the larger rocks on the bottom and work your way up to the smaller ones on top.
  • Small stones and gravel can be used to fill in the gaps between the larger waterfalls stones.
  • The MicroFalls® is designed with a plastic lip for the water to cascade off. You can use the plastic lip or hide the lip using the MicroFalls® plastic waterfall stone (soldseparately) or even piece(s) of thin (no more than 3/4” thick) natural slate. This stone can be attached to the MicroFalls® using Aquascape Black Waterfall Foam (sold separately). The black foam can be purchased from your local Aquascape supplier and will come in handy when filling other gaps between the stones that water is flowing over. The foam keeps the water flowing over the top of the waterfall stones. Without the black waterfall foam, you may lose some of the impact of your waterfall as water travels beneath the rocks.• Place smaller rocks on the rock ledge inside the MicroFalls® to help hide it in the landscape.
  
  STEP 13
  
  Bring in the topsoil
  
  • Add topsoil to the berm and surrounding area in order to provide a good substrate for future landscape plantings.
  
  STEP 14
  
  Build the retaining wall
  
  • Finish off the berm where the MicroFalls® is buried by building a small retaining wall out of boulders. This step may or may not be needed, depending on the size of the berm and the transition into the existing landscape.
  
  STEP 15
  
  Plug in and tweak the waterfalls
  
  • As soon as the MicroPondless® or MicroPond® is filled and all of the black waterfall foam is dry (if used on project), you may plug the pump in and test the waterfall.• You can tweak the waterfall by placing smaller stones and gravel on the waterfall cascades. This will change the appearance and sound of the water. Have fun playing with the water coming over the falls until you achieve the desired effect.
  
  STEP 16
  
  Trim the liner
  
  • With everything running, go around the perimeter of the pond with a pair of scissors and trim off any excess liner, always leaving several inches above the water level as a precaution. The remaining liner edges can be covered with gravel. Note: Do not trim the liner until the waterfall is running and the pond is filled to the desired level. Prematurely trimming the liner may cause leaks!
  
  STEP 17
  
  Mulch the berm
  
  • The entire area surrounding the basin can now be mulched and any surrounding plants added.
  
  STEP 18
  
  Clean up
  
  • You’re at the final stages of the project! All that is needed now is to clean up the mess you’ve made around the yard.
  
  STEP 19
  
  Owner's Manual
  
  • Refer to the following pages in this instruction booklet for care and maintenance of your new water feature.
  • Contact your local Aquascape supplier for more information on routine maintenance using EcoSystems® Products, as well as other water treatment productsdesigned to help balance the ecosystem of the pond.