HydroSieve™ Pre-Filter Capture Debris Before It Reaches the Pump
The HydroSieve™ is a compact, easy-to-clean mechanical pre-filter designed to remove debris from the water before it reaches the pump and biological filtration system.
Water enters through the 4" inlet and is directed into a heavy-duty 316 stainless steel debris basket with micro-screen filtration. Leaves, fish waste, seeds, blossoms and smaller suspended debris are captured in the removable basket while pre-filtered water exits through the 4" outlet.
Instead of allowing debris to travel through the pump and farther into the filtration system, the HydroSieve™ captures it in one convenient place where it can simply be lifted out and discarded.
Capture It • Remove It • Keep It Out of the System
One Pre-Filter. Two Different Applications.
The HydroSieve™ was designed to provide mechanical pre-filtration for both ponds and pondless waterfalls.
Koi Ponds
When connected to a Koi Pond Kit bottom drain, the HydroSieve™ captures sinking fish waste and debris before the water reaches the pump.
The HydroSieve™ installs between the bottom drain and pump, providing a dedicated location for collecting and removing debris rather than allowing it to continue through the pump and into downstream filtration.
This helps keep larger waste out of the biological filter so the biological filtration system can concentrate on biological filtration and fine water polishing.
HydroPure™ Filtered Pondless Systems
In a HydroPure™ Filtered Pondless System, the HydroSieve™ captures leaves, blossoms, seeds and other debris carried downstream by the recirculating water.
Pre-filtered water then flows from the HydroSieve™ into the HydroChamber™ pump and water-storage tank, allowing the pump to operate in pre-filtered water instead of inside a debris-filled rock-and-gravel reservoir.
The stainless steel basket can be removed from above for quick routine cleaning.
No digging through rocks. No reaching into a pump vault. Lift the basket, empty the debris and reinstall it.
Fine Mechanical Pre-Filtration
The HydroSieve™ doesn't stop at capturing leaves and other large debris.
Its 316 stainless steel micro-screen provides filtration down to a human hair, allowing the basket to capture much smaller particles before they travel farther through the system.
This combination of coarse debris collection and fine mechanical pre-filtration makes the HydroSieve™ an effective first stage of filtration.
Remove debris early—before the pump and before the biological filter.
Compact by Design
Effective pre-filtration doesn't need to occupy a large amount of space.
At approximately 25" tall × 17" diameter, the HydroSieve™ provides flow rates up to 5,700 GPH (95 GPM) in a compact rotationally molded housing.
Its small footprint makes it easier to incorporate into both new installations and filtration upgrades where available space may be limited.
Small footprint. Serious pre-filtration.
Remote Installation Capability
The HydroSieve™ does not have to sit directly beside the pond or pondless waterfall.
Its 4" plumbing connections allow the unit to be installed remotely, giving you greater flexibility when deciding where filtration equipment should be located.
This allows the HydroSieve™ to be positioned where it is convenient to access and easy to maintain rather than forcing the filtration equipment to dictate the landscape design.
Simple Connections. Straightforward Installation.
The HydroSieve™ uses a 4" inlet and 4" outlet and can connect to standard PVC or ABS piping using flexible rubber couplers.
It can also be connected to 3" PVC or ABS piping using appropriately sized reducer couplers.
The heavy-duty rotationally molded HDPE housing and lid are designed for outdoor water-feature installations.
HydroSieve™ Features
Made in the USA
Flow rates up to 5,700 GPH / 95 GPM
Compact 25" tall × 17" diameter design
Mechanical filtration down to approximately 100 microns
Heavy-duty 316 stainless steel debris basket
316 stainless steel micro-screen
Heavy-duty stainless steel basket handle
4" inlet and 4" outlet
Heavy-duty rotationally molded HDPE housing
Rotationally molded HDPE lid
Removable basket for easy routine cleaning
Remote installation capable
Connects to 4" PVC or ABS with flexible rubber couplers
Can connect to 3" PVC or ABS using reducer couplers
Designed for pond bottom-drain pre-filtration
Designed for HydroPure™ Filtered Pondless Systems
Can also pre-filter roof and landscape drainage water in appropriate water-recycling applications
Put Debris Where It Belongs
Every leaf, seed, blossom and piece of organic debris that can be removed at the beginning of the filtration process is material that doesn't have to travel through the rest of the system.
That's the purpose of the HydroSieve™:
Capture debris before the pump. Make it easy to remove.
Cleaner water entering the pump means less debris traveling downstream and a filtration system that's easier to maintain.
The best place to remove debris is before it reaches the pump and the rest of the filtration system.
The HydroSieve™ is a compact mechanical pre-filter designed to capture debris in one convenient, easy-to-clean location.
For ponds, it intercepts sinking fish waste and organic debris traveling through the bottom drain.
For pondless waterfalls, it captures leaves, blossoms, seeds, grass clippings and other debris carried downstream by the recirculating water.
Instead of allowing that material to continue through the system, the HydroSieve™ makes it easy to remove.
Capture It • Remove It • Keep It Out of the System
Keep Debris Out of the Rest of Your System
One of the biggest benefits of the HydroSieve™ is where it removes debris — before the pump.
Instead of allowing fish waste, leaves, seeds, blossoms, sand and other organic debris to pass through the pump and continue farther into the filtration system, the HydroSieve™ captures it in the removable stainless steel basket.
Simply lift out the basket, discard the debris and reinstall it.
Capture It • Remove It • Keep It Out of the System
Why Pre-Filtering Matters
Removing debris early can mean:
Less debris passing through the pump
Less material reaching downstream filtration
Less accumulated organic material within the system
Easier routine maintenance
More time enjoying your water feature
Fine Mechanical Pre-Filtration
The HydroSieve™ doesn't stop at collecting larger debris.
Its heavy-duty 316 stainless steel micro-screen basket captures particles as small as grains of sand, removing much smaller debris before it can travel farther through the system.
This combination of larger debris collection and fine mechanical pre-filtration makes the HydroSieve™ an effective first stage of filtration.
And because the basket is constructed from durable stainless steel, there are no disposable filter pads to routinely replace.
From leaves, blossoms, bird feathers, and fish waste to fine grains of sand — capture debris early, before the pump and biological filter.
Dry-Hands™ Cleaning
A pre-filter only makes maintenance easier if the pre-filter itself is easy to clean.
That's why the HydroSieve™ basket has a stainless steel handle that remains accessible from above the water.
Simply:
Lift the basket → Empty the debris → Rinse the screen → Reinstall
There is no need to reach into the bottom of the pre-filter and remove accumulated debris by hand.
No filter pads to pull out.
No gravel to pressure wash.
No debris-filled reservoir to dismantle.
Lift. Empty. Rinse. Replace.
Vortex Flow Helps Keep the Screen Working
Water doesn't simply dump into the HydroSieve™.
The inlet directs water around the inside of the unit, creating a rotational flow pattern around the stainless steel basket.
As water circulates, captured material tends to collect toward the lower and central portion of the basket rather than immediately loading one small section of screen.
This allows more of the basket's screening surface to remain available for water flow as debris accumulates.
It's a simple design detail with an important purpose:
Capture debris while maintaining water flow through the basket.
Protect Your Pump From Debris
Without effective pre-filtration, solid material can travel directly to the pump.
The HydroSieve™ intercepts that material first.
Leaves, fish waste, seeds, blossoms and other captured debris can be removed from the system before the pump has an opportunity to process it into smaller particles and send it farther downstream.
For pond systems, that reduces the solid-waste load reaching downstream filtration.
For pondless systems, it keeps the pump separated from the debris collected by the water feature.
Pre-filter first. Pump second.
Remote Installation Capability
Your filtration equipment shouldn't have to dictate the design of your pond or waterfall.
The HydroSieve™ can be installed remotely using its 4" plumbing connections, allowing it to be positioned away from the immediate edge of the water feature when the installation permits.
That gives you more flexibility to place the HydroSieve™ where it is:
Convenient to access • Easy to maintain • Less noticeable in the landscape
For pondless waterfalls and or koi ponds, remote installation means the HydroSieve™ can be installed hidden in the landscape.
The landscape can lead the design.
HydroSieve™ Benefits at a Glance
Made in the USA
Pond Bottom-Drain Pre-Filter
Pondless Waterfall Pre-Filter
316 Stainless Steel Micro-Screen
Captures Particles as Small as Grains of Sand
Flow Rates Up to 5,700 GPH
Dry-Hands™ Cleaning
Compact Footprint
Remote Installation Capable
Removes Debris Before the Pump
Easy to Clean
Pre-Filter the Water. Simplify Everything Downstream.
Whether the HydroSieve™ is collecting sinking waste from a koi pond bottom drain or leaves and organic debris from a pondless stream, the principle is the same:
Remove the debris early, while it's still easy to remove.
Pre-filtration has a simple job: remove debris from the water before it reaches the pump and downstream filtration.
There are several ways to accomplish that. Traditional gravity-fed pond sieves and the HydroSieve™ can both remove suspended debris, but they approach installation, debris collection and routine cleaning very differently.
Understanding those differences can help you choose the pre-filter that best fits your water feature.
Compare the Footprint • Installation • Cleaning • Applications
Compact by Design
Traditional gravity-fed pond sieves can require a substantial amount of installation space because their physical size.
The HydroSieve™ uses a much more compact design and can be installed underground with only its access lid visible.
That smaller footprint provides more flexibility when incorporating filtration equipment into an established landscape or designing a new water feature.
Less equipment competing with the landscape.
Installation Flexibility
One of the biggest differences is where the pre-filter can be located.
The HydroSieve™ uses 4" plumbing connections and can be installed remotely from the water feature, allowing the equipment location to be selected around the landscape and installation requirements.
That can make it possible to place the HydroSieve where it is:
Convenient to Access • Easy to Maintain • Less Noticeable
For many installations, filtration equipment doesn't need to determine what the finished landscape looks like.
The landscape can lead the design.
Compare How They're Cleaned
This may be the most important difference to consider.
Regardless of the type of pre-filter, captured debris eventually has to be removed.
With some pre-filter designs, cleaning requires accessing accumulated material inside the filtration chamber.
The HydroSieve™ collects debris inside a removable 316 stainless steel micro-screen basket. Its basket handle remains accessible from above the water.
Routine cleaning is straightforward:
Lift the Basket → Empty the Debris → Rinse the Screen → Reinstall
There's no need to reach into the bottom of the HydroSieve to remove captured debris by hand.
Dry-Hands™ Cleaning
The debris comes out with the basket.
Compare What Gets Captured
Pre-filters aren't only dealing with leaves.
Water can carry fish waste, blossoms, seeds, feathers, insects, sand and other organic material toward the pump.
The HydroSieve's 316 stainless steel micro-screen basket captures both larger debris and particles as small as grains of sand.
That material is collected in one removable basket before it can continue farther through the system.
Capture it early. Remove it easily. Keep it out of the rest of the system.
One Pre-Filter. Two Applications.
This is another meaningful distinction.
The HydroSieve™ was designed for use as both a:
Koi Pond Bottom-Drain Pre-Filter
and a:
Pondless Waterfall Pre-Filter
For a koi pond, it can intercept sinking fish waste and organic debris carried through the bottom drain.
For a pondless waterfall, it can capture leaves, blossoms, seeds, sand and other debris carried downstream by the recirculating water.
One compact pre-filter. Two very different water features.
Compare the Features That Matter
Before Choosing a Pre-Filter, Compare:
HydroSieve™
Installation footprint
Compact
Underground installation
Yes
Remote installation capable
Yes
Debris collection
Removable stainless steel basket
Fine debris capture
As small as grains of sand
Routine cleaning
Lift, empty, rinse, reinstall
Reach into chamber to remove debris
No
Disposable filter pads
None
Pond bottom-drain application
Yes
Pondless waterfall application
Yes
Flow rate
Up to 5,700 GPH
Before You Buy a Pre-Filter, Ask One Question
Specifications matter.
Flow rate matters.
Price matters.
Installation space matters.
But there's another question you'll appreciate every time the pre-filter needs maintenance:
How Do I Clean It?
Look at how the debris is captured. Look at how you access it. Look at what has to be removed, rinsed or drained. And consider where the equipment will be located after the landscaping is finished.
A pre-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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