Easy-to-Clean Biological Filtration for Ponds & Pondless Waterfalls
The Dolphin Hydro Vortex™ combines a 25" waterfall opening with vortex separation, biological filtration and fine water polishing in one compact, easy-to-clean waterfall filter.
Unlike conventional waterfall filters that may require removing and cleaning filter pads, the patented Hydro Vortex™ design can be backwashed without removing the Hydro FilterSilk™ media. That means less time cleaning your filter and more time enjoying your pond or pondless waterfall.
Proudly Made in the USA
Why Choose the Dolphin Hydro Vortex™?
Easy to clean — can be cleaned in as little as 2 minutes
No filter pads to remove and clean
No additional media required — includes 7.40 cu. ft. of Hydro FilterSilk™
Vortex solids separation helps settle heavier debris before the biological media
Fine water polishing with Hydro FilterSilk™ media
Biological filtration supports cleaner, healthier water
Built-in settling cone and bottom drain make captured debris easy to remove
25" waterfall opening creates the waterfall while concealing the filter in the landscape
Drain kit included
Heavy-duty rotational-molded HDPE construction
316 stainless steel liner-flange hardware
Can be installed in multiples for wider waterfalls, greater flow and additional filtration
Dolphin Hydro Vortex™ Specifications
Pond Capacity: Up to 8,000 gallons Maximum Flow: 8,100 GPH (135 GPM) Waterfall Opening: 25" wide Dimensions:32½" H × 31" W × 30¼" D Filter Media: 7.40 cu. ft. Hydro FilterSilk™ Total Specific Surface Area: 2,708 sq. ft. Ammonia Metabolization: Up to 54,160 mg per 24 hours Supported Fish Weight: Up to 2,275 grams in 8,000 gallons Inlet: Two 2" female threaded inlet Drain: One 1½" female threaded drain outlet Construction: Heavy-duty rotational-molded HDPE Hardware: 316 stainless steel liner-flange hardware
Three Stages of Filtration in One Waterfall Filter
1. Vortex Separation Incoming water enters the lower vortex chamber, where heavier debris can settle into the cone-shaped bottom for removal through the drain.
2. Biological Filtration Water then passes upward through the Hydro FilterSilk™ media, providing a large surface area for beneficial bacteria.
3. Water Polishing The Hydro FilterSilk™ media also captures fine suspended particles to help produce cleaner, clearer water before it returns to the pond or stream through the waterfall opening.
Everything You Need Is Included
The Dolphin Hydro Vortex™ includes:
7.40 cu. ft. Hydro FilterSilk™ filter media
Lower diffuser grate
Upper diffuser grate
Liner gasket flange
316 stainless steel flange hardware
10' of 1½" heavy-duty flexible PVC drain pipe
1½" drain valve
One 1½" PVC male pipe adapter
One 2" PVC male pipe adapter
One 2" PVC male plug (for unused inlet)
Fish-safe 100% silicone sealant
No additional filter media is required.
Easy Backwashing — No Disassembly Required
The Hydro Vortex™ is designed so routine cleaning does not require taking the filter apart or removing the biological media. Captured debris can be flushed from the bottom of the settling cone, while the Hydro FilterSilk™ media can be backwashed inside the filter.
No blower or separate air pump is required for backwashing.
Designed to Disappear Into the Landscape
The liner attaches directly to the face of the Hydro Vortex™, allowing rocks and waterfall boulders to be positioned around the waterfall opening. Once landscaped, the filter becomes virtually invisible — leaving the waterfall as the focal point.
Most waterfall filters can make a beautiful waterfall. The difference becomes apparent when it's time to maintain them.
The Dolphin Hydro Vortex™ 25" Waterfall Filter provides biological filtration and fine water polishing while making routine cleaning remarkably simple.
Easy to Clean • No Filter Pads • No Routine Media Replacement • Completely Backwashable • Made in the USA
Spend More Time Enjoying Your Water Feature
Routine maintenance shouldn't mean pulling apart your waterfall filter.
The Dolphin Hydro Vortex™ can be cleaned in as little as 2 minutes without removing the Hydro FilterSilk™ bio-media.
Its settling cone and bottom drain allow accumulated material to be flushed from the filter rather than requiring you to remove dirty filter pads and media bags by hand.
With the optional HydroFlush™ Backwash System, cleaning is as simple as turning two valves.
No filter disassembly. No dirty filter pads to remove. No replacement filter pads to buy.
Completely Backwashable
Water enters the Hydro Vortex™ in a way that creates rotational flow inside the filter. Heavier material can settle toward the bottom settling cone while water continues upward through the Hydro FilterSilk™ bio-media.
During cleaning, accumulated material is discharged through the filter's bottom drain.
Every Dolphin includes the drain components needed for manual cleaning. For even easier maintenance, the optional HydroFlush™ system uses the water feature's existing pump to reverse water flow through the filter.
No separate blower or air pump is required for backwashing.
Unlike conventional filter pads that must be removed for thorough cleaning and eventually replaced, Hydro FilterSilk™ remains inside the filter during routine backwashing.
Its highly open structure provides both biological filtration and fine water polishing while allowing water and loosened debris to move through the media during cleaning.
The result is simple:
Install the media once. Backwash the filter when needed.
Cleaner Water Through Two Types of Filtration
The Marlin isn't simply a waterfall box.
It combines two important filtration functions:
Biological filtration provides surface area for beneficial bacteria that help process dissolved waste.
Fine water polishing captures smaller suspended particles that have already passed through the pond skimmer or pre-filter.
Pondless doesn’t mean debris-free. Even without fish, dust, pollen and fine organic particles continually enter the water. In a HydroPure™ pondless system, the HydroSieve™ pre-filter captures larger debris before the pump, while the Hydro Vortex™ provides biological filtration and fine water polishing for cleaner, clearer recirculating water.
Designed to Disappear Into the Landscape
The filter shouldn't be the first thing people notice.
The pond or pondless liner attaches directly to the face of the Dolphin Hydro Vortex™, allowing waterfall boulders, cobblestones and landscaping to surround the 25" waterfall opening.
Once installed, the filter virtually disappears.
You see the waterfall—not the filter.
Easy to Install
The Dolphin was designed with both professional installers and homeowners in mind.
The liner attaches directly to the filter face, the drain system is included, Hydro FilterSilk™ media is included, and routine installation doesn't require specialized equipment.
That means fewer additional components to purchase and a straightforward installation for DIY pond and pondless waterfall projects.
Lower Cost of Ownership
Purchase price is only part of what a waterfall filter costs to own.
The Dolphin is designed around long-lasting components and simple routine maintenance:
No replacement filter pads. No routine biological media replacement. No blower required for backwashing. Simple routine maintenance you can perform yourself.
Because the filter can be routinely backwashed, accumulated material can be removed when needed instead of being allowed to build up until a more involved cleaning becomes necessary.
One Filter. Several Ways to Build.
The Dolphin Hydro Vortex™ provides biological filtration and fine water polishing for several styles of water features.
Easy to Own Is the Real Benefit
A waterfall filter shouldn't just work well the day it's installed. It should remain practical to maintain for years afterward.
The Dolphin Hydro Vortex™ was designed to make routine maintenance simple, so caring for your water feature doesn't become a project of its own.
Spend less time maintaining your water feature and more time enjoying it.
Before You Buy a Waterfall Filter, Ask One Question
How Do I Clean It?
Most waterfall filters can create a beautiful waterfall. The important differences become apparent when it's time for routine maintenance.
Conventional pad-and-media waterfall filters typically rely on filter pads and bags or nets of biological media that must be removed from the filter for thorough cleaning.
The Hydro Vortex™ was designed differently. Its settling chamber, bottom drain and highly open Hydro FilterSilk™ media allow accumulated material to be flushed from the filter without removing the media.
One requires removing the filter media for thorough cleaning. The other was designed to be backwashed with the media in place.
A Filter Works Better When Water Can Flow Through It
Every filter collects material. That's its job.
Even after water passes through a pond skimmer or pre-filter, smaller suspended particles and organic material can continue into the waterfall filter. Over time, that material accumulates within the filtration media.
As filter pads and debris-loaded media become clogged, water can begin following the easiest path through or around the media rather than flowing evenly through the entire filtration area.
That's why routine filter maintenance matters.
The Hydro Vortex™ was designed to make removing accumulated material a simple part of routine maintenance instead of waiting until the filter requires a more involved cleaning.
Two Different Approaches to Waterfall Filtration
Conventional pad-and-media waterfall filters typically direct water through layers of filter pads and biological media. As suspended material is captured, it accumulates within that media until the filter is cleaned.
The Hydro Vortex™ takes a different approach.
Water enters the lower chamber and creates a rotational flow. Heavier material can settle toward the bottom of the filter while water continues upward through the highly open Hydro FilterSilk™ media.
When it's time to clean the filter, accumulated material can be discharged through the bottom drain rather than requiring the FilterSilk™ to be removed.
With the optional HydroFlush™ Backwash System, the water feature's existing pump reverses the flow through the filter to help release accumulated material from the FilterSilk™ and flush it from the system.
The filtration media stays inside the Hydro Vortex™ during routine cleaning.
Filter Pads vs. Hydro FilterSilk™
The way filtration media is designed affects both how it filters water and how it must be cleaned.
Conventional waterfall filters commonly use dense filter pads to capture suspended particles. As material becomes embedded within the pads, thorough cleaning typically requires removing them from the filter and rinsing them separately.
Hydro FilterSilk™ was designed differently.
Its highly open HDPE netting provides a large surface area for beneficial bacteria while allowing water to move freely through the media.
With more than 90% open space, Hydro FilterSilk™ allows loosened material and backwash water to move through the media during cleaning.
That means the FilterSilk™ can remain inside the Hydro Vortex™ during routine backwashing.
Conventional Filter Pads: Remove • Rinse • Reinstall • Eventually Replace Hydro FilterSilk™: Leave in Place • Backwash • No Routine Replacement
Media Bags vs. Hydro FilterSilk™
Filter pads aren't the only media that may need to be removed from a conventional waterfall filter.
Many conventional designs also use bags or nets filled with lava rock, plastic media or other biological filtration material. These provide surface area for beneficial bacteria, but when fine organic material accumulates within and around the media, thorough cleaning commonly means lifting the bags out of the filter and rinsing them separately.
Once saturated with water and accumulated material, those media bags can also become heavy and messy to handle.
Hydro FilterSilk™ eliminates the need for separate bags of biological media.
The FilterSilk™ fills the filtration chamber between the lower and upper grates, providing both biological filtration and fine water polishing in one highly open media.
During routine backwashing, the FilterSilk™ stays inside the Hydro Vortex™ while water moves through the media and loosened material is discharged from the filter.
No heavy bags of biological media to remove for routine cleaning.
Routine Maintenance vs. Waiting for a Major Cleaning
A waterfall filter doesn’t suddenly become dirty once a year. Material accumulates gradually whenever the water feature is operating.
That’s why the Hydro Vortex™ was designed to make routine cleaning simple enough to perform whenever the filter needs it.
Every Hydro Vortex™ includes a bottom drain, allowing accumulated material to be discharged from the settling chamber without removing the Hydro FilterSilk™.
Add the optional HydroFlush™ Backwash System, and the water feature’s existing pump is used to reverse the flow through the FilterSilk™ and help flush accumulated material from the filter.
Turn two valves. Backwash. Done.
No filter pads to remove. No media bags to lift. No separate blower required.
Compare the Difference
Waterfall filters may look similar from the outside, but their internal design can make a significant difference in how they are maintained.
Here’s how conventional pad-and-media waterfall filters compare with Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filters:
Feature
Conventional Pad & Media Filter
Hydro Vortex™
Fine Water Polishing
Filter pads
Hydro FilterSilk™
Biological Filtration
Pads and bagged media
Hydro FilterSilk™
Settling Chamber
Not included
Vortex settling chamber
Bottom Drain
Not included
Standard
Routine Backwashing
Not available
Designed for routine backwashing
Remove Filter Pads for Cleaning
Requires removal
No filter pads
Remove Bagged Biological Media for Cleaning
Requires removal
No bagged media
Filter Pad Replacement
Requires replacement
No filter pads
Bagged Biological Media Replacement
Requires replacement
No bagged media
Pump-Powered Backwashing
No
Optional HydroFlush™ System
How to Clean
Remove bio-media, rinse & reinstall bio-media
Backwash with Hydro FilterSilk™ in place
Ask One Question Before You Buy a Waterfall Filter
How Do I Clean It?
A waterfall filter may be installed once. You’ll live with the cleaning process for years.
Pamela was a huge help with pre-order sizing and instructing me via email/phone during the install when I had a few questions. I actually got a custom kit with a 40' liner and the larger SH-4020 pump. The install was pretty "by the book" per the install instructions she provided. I was able to complete the entire project by myself. Everything is working great. I am so glad I went with the Russell system rather than having to deal with cleaning out muck from rocks and matrix boxes. I just clean out the skimmer basket and backwash occasionally.
After months of research, I found that the filtration, cleanout, backwash and pondless capabilities of this system was the ideal solution for my situation. The service was exceptional, very helpful and responsive.
Just installed an 11' high pondless waterfall with 66 feet of water course. The Hydro Sieve Pre-filter, Vortex Filter and Hydro Chamber system is the simplest and most common sense system out there. The Russell Water Garden website is informative and makes it easy for any DIYr. And the customer service from Pamela is top-notch, always quick to respond and great answers to my questions. Definitely recommend this company and their products.
Very impressed with the quality of the waterfall, stream and water garden pond kit. I’ll be happy to share pictures once it is finished. So looking forward to watching our grandchildren splash in the stream and catch frogs in the pond.
I chose the Ahi kit as it was the perfect size for our yard and the look we wanted with both a waterfall and small pond. Pamela at Russell Watergardens was incredibly helpful with my many questions before and after purchase. She was generous with her time and sent me videos/photos to give me ideas on fountains built by others so I could be confident about building our own. Russell Watergardens also has a wealth of information on their website and YouTube for “How to Build it,” Maintenance, and Tips. We are really pleased with the results and look forward to adding sod and a few native plantings to the surrounding area next spring. I highly recommend Russell Watergardens if you want the best DIY water feature.
The Marlin products are straightforward to apply. Pamela was great about clarifying any questions I had. Mine is a large feature with an eleven foot high waterfall and 66 feet of stream and I was not able to complete it to the point of turning on the water before the snow arrived. I will send Russell Watergardens a video when I get there.
This kit from Russell Watergardens is fantastic. Has everything you need to build a really nice water feature. This really is the only system out there that allows for system cleaning with low fuss and hassle. The service and support is also great. I am a 100% satisfied customer.
I decided to get the pondless waterfall package because I wanted something that was all-in-one, provided a solution that was nearly maintenance free, and would not have standing water to attract bugs. Russell's was the only solution I found that met all my needs. I looked at countless other solutions and ultimately decided on this one. Things that especially stood out to me after the install was the quality of the product, the directions/support, as well as the fact that everything was included....even things such as foam and pvc glue.
I’ve wanted to build a water feature for years but the time or place was never right. In 2023 everything came together to finally do it. I had been emailing back-and-forth with Pam Russell for several years about my plans for a Pond less waterfall while doing a lot of research. I had settled on Russell Water Gardens to use as the backbone for my build. The combination of design, quality and outstanding customer service lead to that decision. During the pre-purchase planning and design phase, Pam was simply outstanding. I would have made a lot of mistakes without her guidance. She’s a very quick communicator, extremely knowledgeable about the products as well as about the design of waterfalls. I had a ton of questions and she never seemed to grow tired of them. Her knowledge and input into my design and purchase of materials was simply invaluable. She even helped navigate the somewhat tricky logistics for the delivery, which is more complicated than you might think when you don’t live in an urban area. Now to the products. My project was a rather ambitious DIY first time built I admit. It features two waterfall heads combining into a single stream about halfway down a 15 foot drop hill in my backyard. The total water course is about 45 feet long and 2 feet wide. Pam helped me determine the amount of water volume that it would have and the materials it would take. I ended up with two hydro sieves at the end collection point. These two sieves connected to three Hydro Chambers. I used the Hydro Vortex at the top. With the length and and flow rate that, I wanted, I chose one of the larger external, 1350 gps extern pumps. She helped me with the planning and where to pomace the pump accommodate the head and flow characteristics to give me a good amount of water volume. Working alone, the project was definitely hard work, but was a labor of love and a dream come true for me. We have yet to finish the plantings around the waterfall, but are enjoying it nonetheless. I can’t recommend Russell Watergardens highly enough, and specificially Pam as an invaluable resource.
This produce seems to be the best for Pondless Waterfalls compared to other brand. Yes its more money but worth it in the long run. Pamela has been so helpfull to someone know nothing about creating a waterfall
I have been using Russell Water Gardens for years. We use the pond less components for our water features. We feel like they give us an unmatched quality and functionality. Service is excellent. They take good care of us.
After researching different types of water features i choose the Russell water garden for the low maintenance and the easiness of installation. I replaced a small fountain in my back yard with a 5’ wide by 20’ long water fall and stream. The standing water in my fountain needed cleaned and replaced frequently which took time. With the hydro tanks large water capacity and ease of refilling(i choose the manual fill system) over auto fill since my hose bib was not in a convenient location, simply lift the lid and add water with hose. The pre filter leading to hydro tank is the key! It allows you to quickly and easily remove all debris from system before it goes into hydro chamber where pump is located. This was the biggest problem with my fountain pump. Every week or two i would have to disassemble clean the gunk around inlet of pump(water would actually quit flowing ) and reassemble, alot of work. With the pre filter basket all debris is captured before getting to pump, just as described in the video.
In addition Pamela Russell was always available by email or phone, (email worked best ) to answer my questions as i was installing my water feature. It is now the center piece of our backyard adding both value and charm with many years of enjoyment to come. I would highly recommend!
Dave W
Venetia Pa
My husband decided he wanted a waterfall on our hillside which is located next to our home. I had zero knowledge but tried for weeks to figure it out by myself via reading blogs and watching youtube videos. Then I discovered Russell Watergardens. I called Pamela and had many conversations leading me to decide her brand was the best choice. I told her that I wanted the falls to be easy to maintain, variable in flow & sound, and easy to install. She assembled a custom kit for me which included 2 pumps. I could run 1 or the other or both in order to be quiet at night or loud while entertaining. I ended up hiring an experienced 2 man crew to install the waterfall… and I’m so glad I did! The rocks were heavy and the ground needed to be jackhammered in order to get the holding tank & filter system into the ground. All of our visitors love the relaxing sound of our waterfall, as do we. A big thanks to Pamela Russell for her guidance!
It took us several years of planning to get to the point of ordering materials to build the waterfall. We were dealing with soft sand on the hill and were concerned about how we were going to keep the hill secure and not wash away. We got the materials to make the waterfall and it took my husband several weekends to get the work done as he was working by himself. He did get help with the pond liner, but other than that, he was able to install the 2 large units, top of the waterfall and at the bottom, but it wasn't without a lot of muscle and reading the directions over and over. The only thing we would suggest is to make the directions easier to understand with pictures of the different parts and connections easier to see in the pictures. We finally hired a professional landscape person to come and do the rocks for us as we were frustrated with how to place them properly to look natural. We needed to order larger rocks to make the pond look better. The waterfall is not complete yet. We need to put in more river rock and plant trees and bushes alongside the waterfall. We have a lot of deer with sharp hoofs that have been walking through the riverbed and we are concerned they will puncture holes in the liner, but we will know better this spring when we start the waterfall again. In the picture, you see koi fish, but that was a very temporary thing as a friend wanted to see how his fish would do in the stream. They looked beautiful swimming in the riverbed, but the water was not deep enough for them. Also, we have critters that got a few of them overnight so we knew that having koi was not a practical thing to do! But, all in all, we are VERY happy with the equipment that we received because it can handle a lot of water making the waterfall flow so well and it sounds wonderful. If we were to do it again, we would definitely order from you again.
This review is as much about the products as it is about the team. Russell's products are outstanding and I could not be happier with the final outcome and how easy it is to maintain.
However, the real gem is the team's willingness to coach and advise before and during the project. Pam was wonderful and happily answered the 'dumb questions' along the way.
I don't plan to tackle another project like this again, but if I did there is ZERO chance I would do it with anyone else!
The water feature kit is exactly what I was hoping for. The installation sequence is well thought out and the practicality of the maintenance is easy. Thank you for all your assistance with our project.
This water feature is the topic of conversation for all our guests. And we installed this ourselves to make sure it was done right. Best yard I ever had. Love this product. We have a heater installed so we can watch our "Jemez River" flow all year round!
Unfortunately, as of this date, I still have not started the water feature due to a number of family health issues. However, I hope to start this project sometime this coming summer.
Thanks for keeping me in your communication loop.
Regards,
Bill Tierney
Russell Watergardens helped me create a custom kit for a pond less waterfall in my backyard. The instructions were easy to follow and the kit was simple to install. This was the first time I attempted a project like this and I did the entire installation myself. While it took me several weekends and a lot of hard work the results were well worth it. I have gotten lots of complements not only from my neighbors but also from professional landscapers. The system works as advertised and is so easy to maintain. I run the pump 24/7 without any issues. I really like the Hydro Sieve filter as it makes cleaning out debris very easy. I would highly recommend Russell Watergardens.
I like the whole concept and idea of your pondless kit but the water tank is just to big for my small space, do you have a smaller size or do you have any suggestion. My space is only 3.5’ x 5.5’.
pretty impressive. have had now for about a year and am getting ready to buy a 2nd one for when I upgrade the pond. the ease of cleaning is fantastic! worth every penny!
The Piper skimmer helps keep my pond clear by moving floating debris into an easily removed basket and brushes that are easy to hose off without getting wet. It has helped make my pond maintenance easier. I am happy I tried it.
This is a perfect skimmer for my small, raised pond. It so easy to open lid, pull out the net and brushes and hose them off. It takes a few minutes and I don't get dirty. It catches surface debris easily. I am very happy with this purchase.
Russell Watergardens put together a pondless waterfall “kit†for us that I installed this past Summer (2017). I did 100% of the installation. The project was hard work, but it was also fun. The instructions were very clear and thorough. I was missing a couple of parts, which were immediately sent to me upon my request. Soon after starting the pump it quit working due to a broken cover. A replacement part was promptly sent to me. The system has now been operational for three months. I have had no problems whatsoever. I am amazed that I have not had to add any water since starting the system. The hydro chamber more than adequate capacity. I have a heavy duty timer so the pump runs only during daylight hours. The filter system is very efficient. Leaves that have collected this fall were many. Nevertheless the Sieve also has substantial capacity. The water flow had been unaffected. All in all this is a very fine product and working with Russell Watergardens has been a great experience. We placed our waterfall on the corner of the lot where anyone driving or walking by can enjoy it. We have made our neighbors very happy. Thank you Russell Watergardens for great products and service.
Pam,
Thank you for the recommendation of the new HBV filter. My koi pond is 3000 gallons and holds right now 19 good size Koi. July is always a difficult month to maintain water clarity. Overnight the results I saw were amazing. The water is so clear that I can now see each grain of sand and wrinkle in the liner to the 4.5 foot depth of the pond. I am still getting us to the process of backflushing but it is pretty easy. The pond has never looked better!
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