Pond Free Waterfall Kits

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Pond Free Waterfall Kits

Pond free waterfall feature
Buyer's Guide

5 Steps to the Perfect
Pond Free Waterfall Kit

Use this guide to design, size, and build your pond free water feature.

Not sure which kit? Take the Quiz →

Determine Your Design

Pick your spot, measure it out, and make sure your basin can hold the water your system needs.

Don't know where to start? Take our quick Pond Free Kit Finder quiz — we'll match you to the right kit in 2 minutes.
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Pond design planning
1
Determine Design
Pick a spot and measure your finished feature.
Basin sizing
2
Calculate Size
Use the WIT formula to size your basin and liner.
Pond liner
3
Choose Liner
Pick between EPDM and PVC based on your budget.
MatrixBlox
4
Consider MatrixBlox
Hold more water in less space. Protects your pump.
Compare brands
5
Compare Brands
We carry several brands — use Compare to find your fit.
Pick Your Spot FirstMeasure the full area of your finished feature before anything else. This drives every number downstream.
Size Your Basin RightYour basin needs to hold enough water to keep the pump running — too small and the pump runs dry.
Measure CarefullyYour length and width go directly into the WIT calculator in Step 2, so get them right up front.
Plan for Rocks EarlyRocks look great but can tear your liner. Think about underlayment before you start digging.

Calculate Your Size

Two quick calculations — first find your Water in Transit, then figure out your basin dimensions.

Step 2a — Water in Transit (WIT)

WIT = the total water moving through your system at any one time. Your basin must hold this much water (plus extra).

WIT streamway diagram
L × W × 0.25 × 7.48 = Your WIT in gallons
Your Water in Transit (WIT)
—
Heads up: This doesn't include pooling areas. Measure those separately and add them to your basin as a one-time fill.

Step 2b — Basin Size

Your basin needs to hold at least 1.5× your WIT. We recommend 2.5× if you're using MatrixBlox.

Basin size diagram
WIT × 1.5 = Min. gallons your basin needs
L × W × D = Your basin volume in ft³
Your Basin Results
⚡
Rather skip the math? Our Kit Finder quiz picks the right kit for your waterfall size automatically.
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Choose Your Liner

We carry two liner options. Both are fish and wildlife safe — pick based on your budget and how long you want it to last.

Premium
LifeGuard 45-Mil EPDM liner
LifeGuard
45-Mil EPDM Pond Liner
  • Works well in all types of water features
  • Stays flexible in hot and cold temperatures
  • No plasticizers — won't crack or split over time
  • Easy to cut and seal around pipes and fittings
  • Safe for fish and wildlife
  • 25-year warranty
Flexibility
Durability
Warranty
Price
Best Value
PolyGuard 20-Mil PVC liner
PolyGuard
20-Mil PVC Pond Liner
  • UV-resistant — holds up in direct sunlight
  • Works great for pond free and pondless waterfalls
  • Clips easily to waterfalls, weirs, and skimmers
  • Safe for fish and wildlife
  • Great budget option
  • 5-year warranty
Flexibility
Durability
Warranty
Price

What is Geotextile Underlayment?

Underlayment rolls
  • Rocks look great but can poke through your liner over time. Underlayment sits between the two.
  • Soft or shifting soil can create voids under your liner and cause it to stretch and fail.
  • It keeps the soil stable so no air pockets form under the liner.
  • Less wear from rocks and roots means your liner lasts much longer.

Consider MatrixBlox

Most of our kits include these. They hold a lot of water in a small space and keep your pump from running dry.

MatrixBlox

Why MatrixBlox?

These blocks have 96% void space — meaning they hold a huge amount of water while taking up very little room. You can stack gravel, pavers, or landscaping right on top of them.

They snap together quickly with no tools. And because they hold so much water, your pump stays submerged and won't overheat.

MatrixBlox Calculator

Enter your WIT and we'll tell you how many blocks you need.

(WIT × 2.5) ÷ 31.5 = Number of blocks
Blocks You Need
—
96%
Void Space
31.5
Gallons per Block
Compare: Regular gravel only holds about 30% water by volume. MatrixBlox holds 96% — that's more than 3× as much water in the same space.

MatrixBlox vs. Gravel

30%
Gravel
96%
MatrixBlox

Compare Brands

We carry several brands with similar kits at different price points. Here's how to shop smart.

How to Shop Smart

Every kit includes a pump, basin, liner, and spillway — but they differ in pump flow rate, liner type, basin size, and price. Here's what to watch for:

Match the Pump to Your SpillwayA good rule: 100 GPH per inch of spillway width. 12" spillway = at least 1,200 GPH.
Check What’s IncludedTake a moment to review exactly what comes with the kit you’re considering—components can vary, so it’s important to know what’s included before making your decision.
️ Know Which Liner You're GettingBudget kits usually come with 20-Mil PVC. Mid-range and premium kits use 45-Mil EPDM.
Does It Include MatrixBlox?Most of our kits do. Double check before comparing a kit that uses plain gravel fill instead.
Still not sure which kit to pick? Answer a few quick questions and the Kit Finder will point you to the best option for your project.
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Ready to Shop?

Browse our full lineup of Pond Free Waterfall Kits — or let the quiz narrow it down for you.

Shop All Kits → Take the Kit Finder Quiz

Be sure to refer to the tabs at the top of the page. They provide all the assistance you need to find the perfect kit for your project.

Ready to shop?  Use the side bar filters and "Compare" or use the Pondfree Kit Finder.

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