Aquascape Inc MicroFalls Filter

Professional waterfall filter designed to meet the needs of do-it-yourself pond enthusiasts. Aquascape Inc MicroFalls Filter boasts professional quality that works with Mother Nature for "low maintenance" pond keeping. High-quality waterfall filter creates an attractive water feature that provides effective biological and mechanical filtration. Two-stage biological filtering action naturally improves water clarity and quality while waterfall provides beneficial water movement and active aeration vital to a healthy pond environment.

Distinct round shape of the MicroFalls Filter strengthens overall construction for years of reliable use. Detachable waterfall lip makes installation easy and can be attached to the pond liner to ensure a watertight seal. Aquascape Inc MicroFalls Filter measures 20-1/2" x 17-1/2" x 17" high and is recommended for ponds or water gardens up to 1,000 gallons and a flow rate of 2,000 gph. Also great for pondless waterfalls. Pair the MicroFalls Filter with the Aquascape Inc MicroSkim Pond and Surface Skimmer for a professional grade filtration system for your new pond or water garden.

Aquascape Inc MicroFalls Filter includes fish-safe silicone, barb fitting and clamp for 1-1/2" kink-free or 1-1/2" PVC flex pipe, two bio-mechanical filter mats and a media bag you can fill with your favorite biological pond media.

Add pond plants, decorative rock and gravel to the optional MicroFalls Filter Rock Tray to "naturalize" your MicroFalls Filter. Rock Tray fits on top of the waterfall filter for effortless installation.

Downloadable MicroFalls Filter Instructions PDF.
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Please click on "More Information" for quick installation guide.

Hook up and level the MicroFalls Filter

• The first step is to install the Bulkhead Fitting in the hole provided in the back of the MicroFalls Filter. The Rubber Washer should be located on the inside of the MicroFalls Filter. Tighten the nut on the outside until the Rubber Washer begins to bulge. This should be approximately one turn past hand tight. Be careful not to over tighten the Nut, which could possibly crack the Bulkhead. Please note that the Bulkhead Fitting is reverse threaded. So, in other words, turn the Nut counterclockwise to tighten.
• Now install the Barb Fitting, included with your MicroFalls Filter, 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 thread of the Fitting in order to help provide a water tight seal.
• Now it's time to position the MicroFalls Filter in the desired location.
• The MicroFalls Filter should be set at, or slightly below the grade of the yard. Simply remove a section of sod or a few inches or soil in order to create a firm foundation for the MicroFalls Filter to sit. Design Tip: Keep the waterfall to the scale of your yard. The goal should be to create the perception that Mother Nature herself has constructed the waterfall. Avoid creating a "volcano look" by trying to raise the MicroFalls Filter in a flat backyard.
• Be sure to compact the area beneath the MicroFalls Filter using a hand tamper or some other heavy object that can be pounded onto the soil. This will help prevent any future settling.
• Use a 2ft bubble level in order to make sure your MicroFalls Filter is properly set into position. Your MicroFalls Filter should be level from side to side and tilt forward 1/4 of a bubble on a 2ft level. This will make sure the water comes over the front of the MicroFalls Filter 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 force to get the pipe on the Barb Fitting. Twisting the pipe clockwise may help thread the pipe onto the fitting. Have someone hold the MicroFalls Filter 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 Filter is still level after installing the plumbing.

Build the pond waterfall

• 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 Filter 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 Filter. Be sure that you have a few inches of slack Liner along the front base of your MicroFalls Filter. This will help reduce tension on the Waterfall Lip when placing boulders in front of the unit.
• Temporarily install the Waterfall Lip and Liner to the MicroFalls Filter 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 Filter. Be careful not to damage the threads on the Nut Inserts when punching the holes. Remove the awl or nail while holding the Waterfall Snout and Liner in place and begin threading one of the Screws into the MicroFalls 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 Filter, keeping the Screws installed through the Waterfall Lip and Liner.
• Place a thick bead of silicone across the Nut Insets on the front of the MicroFalls Filter. Pre-installing the two Screws in the earlier step will make it easy to line up the Waterfall Snout after the silicone is applied and will keep the silicone 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 Mats into the MicroFalls Filter.
• Add approximately 10 lbs of lava stone or BioBalls (not included) into the Media Bag. Set the Media Bag on top of the Filter Mats.

General Maintenance and Seasonal Care
The MicroFalls Filter is the starting point for your waterfall. The Filter Pads and biological filter media provide a "home" for the beneficial bacteria that help clean the pond and provide crystal clear pond water. The MicroFalls Filter is designed to require once a year cleaning when used in combination with the MicroSkim Pond Skimmer. The pond skimmer filter ensures large debris is filtered from the water before it reaches the MicroFalls Filter. Do not clean the Filter Mats or filter Media Bag in the MicroFalls Filter more than once a year. Cleaning them, especially with chlorinated tap water, more than once a year will reduce or kill the beneficial bacteria growing on these filters. Replace old Filter Mats after several years, when they begin to fall apart.