Russell Pondless Systems™
Small Pondless Waterfall Kit 16" Waterfalls with 5' Stream
Ahi Series™ Easy-to-Clean Small Pondless Waterfall Kit with 5' Stream
- Proudly Made in USA
- Ahi Hydro Vortex™ patented backwashable waterfall filter with 16" wide waterfall opening
- Hydro FilterSilk™ biological filtration media (1.83 cu ft)
- HydroSieve™ pre-filter with stainless steel filter basket
- HydroChamber™ all-in-one pump vault + water storage tank
- Stainless steel hardware
- 15' heavy-duty 1½” flexible PVC pipe and fittings
- PVC glue, primer, silicone sealant, foam sealant
- 50 sq. ft. geotextile underlayment
- 5' x 10' 45 mil EPDM rubber liner
- Cam-lock checkvalve assembly
Pump Options:
Upgrade Options:
- HydroFlush™ patented self-cleaning backwash system
- Choice of automatic water fill valve kits
Ships by motor freight on a pallet with lift-gate delivery
Ahi Series™ Small Pondless Waterfall with 5' Stream Kit
Create a stunning, low-maintenance backyard water feature with the Ahi Series™ small pondless waterfall kit. This compact system features a 16" wide cascading waterfall flowing downward approximately 18" into a 2' × 5' stream or babbling brook, before disappearing through the advanced HydroSieve™ pre-filter into the underground HydroChamber™ water storage system.
The best pondless waterfall kits are designed for easy cleaning and long-term performance. That's exactly what you get with the Ahi Series™.
- ✔ No gravel pits
- ✔ No messy cleanouts
- ✔ No hidden maintenance problems
Just clean, clear, beautiful water — made simple.
Why This Small Pondless Waterfall Kit Is Different
Unlike traditional pondless waterfall kits, the Ahi Series™ includes:
- HydroSieve™ Pre-Filter - Captures debris for easy routine removal
- HydroChamber™ System - Combination pump vault + water storage in one compact unit
- Ahi Hydro Vortex Backwashable Filter - Patented design removes dissolved organics and fine particulates
Most "standard" kits rely on rock and gravel covered basins that trap debris and are extremely difficult to clean.
👉 The truth?
They can only be cleaned by hand - if at all.
No Gravel Basins. No Maintenance Headaches.
Traditional pondless waterfall systems use rock and gravel to filter debris - but:
- Debris gets buried deep in the gravel
- Organic matter breaks down into sludge
- Water turns brown or green and smells terrible
- Algae growth increase rapidly
And cleaning it? Nearly impossible.
The Ahi Series™ eliminates this problem entirely.
Advanced Filtration = Cleaner Water, Less Algae
Your pondless waterfall collects:
- Dust and pollen
- Bird waste and feathers
- Animal hair and dander
- Leaves, blossoms, and organic debris
- Airborne pollutants and phosphates
Without proper filtration, these feed algae and degrade water quality.
That’s why every kit includes the Ahi Hydro Vortex™ Filter:
- Removes dissolved organics
- Traps fine particulates for easy routine removal
- Improve water clarity and odor
- Polishes the water for maximum sparkle
- Reduces algae growth
- Fully backwashable for easy cleaning
Choose manual backwash or upgrade to the patented HydroFlush™ self-cleaning backwash system.
Modular Design = Unlimited Installation Flexibility
The Ahi Series™ gives you complete creative control.
Install components:
- Together
- Or remotely in separate locations
✔ Place your HydroChamber™ water storage tank anywhere
✔ Hide your HydroSieve™ pre-filter out of sight
✔ Connects easily with standard 4" pipe
No other pondless waterfall kit offers this level of flexibility.
More Design Options. More Creative Freedom
With modular installation, you can:
- Build waterfalls in one area
- Locate the pre-filter away from the pool
- Locate the water storage tank near existing electrical or water supply outlets
- Integrate landscaping, patios, and hardscapes in between
Design without limitations.
Easy to Clean = Lower Long-Term Cost
Before buying any pondless waterfall kit, ask:
👉 “How do I clean it?”
With conventional rock and gravel pit pondless systems:
- You'll spend hours trying to hand clean the gravel
- Or pay expensive maintenance fees and annual draining and pressure washing
With the Ahi Series™ pondless system:
- Debris is captured and easily removed
- Patented waterfall filter is backwashable
- Less digging - easier to install
- No mess
- No stress
A clean system is a beautiful system.
Save Money with a Smarter System
The HydroChamber™ all-in-one system replaces:
- Slotted pump vault
- Two matrix blocks
- Basin underlayment
- Basin liner
- Basin rock and gravel
This means:
- Small excavation
- Faster installation
- Less labor
- Less materials
- Lower overall cost
Why dig a bigger hole than you need?
What You Avoid with Cheap Gravel Basin Kits
Low-cost rock and gravel pit based pondless systems lead to:
- Sludge buildup
- Brown or green foul-smelling water
- Difficult or impossible cleaning
- Poor water quality for pets and wildlife
- Expensive annual cleanings that require repeated draining and pressure washing
There's a reason most manufacturers don't explain how to clean their systems.
👉 Because you can’t.
The Better Choice: Ahi Series™ Ultimate Pondless Waterfall Kit
✔ Easy to install
✔ Easy to clean
✔ Modular and flexible
✔ Crystal-clear water
✔ Long-term value
A pondless waterfall is only as beautiful as it is maintainable.
Built for Beauty. Designed for Simplicity.
The Ahi Series™ delivers:
- Clean water
- Simple routine maintenance
- Maximum design freedom
Long after price is forgotten, value and peace of mind remain.
The Ahi Series Ultimate Small Pondless Waterfall Kit delivers unmatched flexibility, cleaner water, and easier maintenance - without the hassles of traditional rock and gravel based systems.
Unlimited Design Flexibility with Modular Components
Design your waterfall your way.
With fully modular components, you can install each part exactly where it works best:
- Place the Ahi Hydro Vortex™ filter facing your patio or focal point
- Install the HydroSieve™ pre-filter in a hidden or convenient location
- Position the HydroChamber™ water reservoir near your power source
Or, install everything together - it's completely up to you.
No other small pondless waterfall kit offers this level of flexibility.
Why Conventional Pondless Waterfall Kits Fall Short
Most pondless waterfall kits - regardless of the brand - use the same outdated system:
- A waterfall spillway that is not a filter of any kind
- A slotted pump vault with or without matrix blocks
- Underlayment, and rubber liner
- Lots of rock and gravel
- Fixed design (basin must always be under the waterfall or stream)
- Difficult or impossible to keep clean and free of debris
- Lack of filtration promotes algae growth
- Dirty brown/green smelly water
Common Problems with Rock and Gravel Based Pondless Waterfall Systems
Traditional rock and gravel based systems:
- Trap debris in the gravel
- Cannot be easily cleaned
- Lead to algae, odors, and unhealthy water conditions
Rock and gravel basins trap leaves and debris, they rot over time, and then feed algae - creating odor, discoloration,
and ongoing maintenance problems.
A Smarter System: How the Ahi Series Works
The Ahi Series™ uses a closed-loop, high-efficiency filtration system:
- Water is pumped from the HydroChamber™
- It enters the patented Ahi Hydro Vortex™ backwashable waterfall filter
- Water rises up through the Hydro FilterSilk™ bio media, removing dissolved organics and trapping fine particulates
- Clean water flows out of the top of the Ahi Hydro Vortex™ filter and over the waterfall
- Water flows into the HydroSieve™ pre-filter capturing leaves and debris for easy removal
- Water then flows from the HydroSieve™ pre-filter back to the HydroChamber™.
When the System is OFF
- Water is safely stored underground inside the HydroChamber™
- No standing water is visible
- Safer for children, pets, and wildlife
Ahi Series™ Solution
- HydroSieve™ pre-filter captures debris for easy removal
- Hydro Vortex™ filter processes dissolved organics
- Backwashable system makes cleaning fast and simple
Result: Clean, clear, fresh water - without the headaches.
Hydro Vortex™ Filter Simple Backwashing Options
Manual Backwash
- Turn off pump
- Open the Ahi Hydro Vortex™ filter's drain valve and let it completely drain
- Rinse the Hydro Vortex filter from the top down with a garden hose (no need to disassemble the filter for rinsing - as the media rinses in place)
- When water exiting the drain valve runs clear, the filter is clean
- Close the drain valve
- Re-start the pump
HydroFlush™ Self-Cleaning Backwash System
- Turn of pump
- Open the Ahi Hydro Vortex™ filter's drain valve and let it completely drain
- Turn the HydroFlush™ valve to the BACKWASH position
- Re-start the pump
- Water will shoot upwards at the top of the filter, then fall back down onto and down through the filter media
- When water exiting the drain valve runs clear, the filter is clean
- Close the drain valve
That's it! No digging through gravel. No gravel removal. No mess.
Easy Cleaning = Cleaner Water = Less Algae
A pondless waterfall is only as beautiful as it can be maintained.
No Gravel Basin. No Maintenance Nightmare.
Unlike conventional rock and gravel based pondless waterfall systems, the Ahi Series™ pondless waterfall system eliminates:
- Hard to clean rock and gravel basins
- Sludge buildup
- Hidden debris traps
- Costly clean-outs
Instead, you get:
- Compact, efficient system design
- Smaller excavation (lower installation cost)
- Easy-access components
- Long-term reliability
- Lower cost of ownership
Cleaner, Healthier Water for Your Landscape
The patented Ahi Hydro Vortex™ filter removes:
- Dust and pollen
- Bird and animal waste
- Phosphates and nutrients
- Dissolved organic debris
This dramatically reduces algae, improves clarity, and eliminates odors.
Save Time, Money, and Frustration
With the Ahi Series™:
- Less excavation = lower installation costs
- Easy cleaning = reduced maintenance expenses
- Better filtration = longer-lasting beauty
It's not just a better system - it's a better long-term investment.
Before You Buy Any Pondless Waterfall Kit… Ask This:
“How do I clean it?”
If the answer involves digging in the gravel… it’s not the right system.
The Clear Choice: Ahi Series Ultimate Small Pondless Waterfall Kit
✔ Easy to install
✔ Easy to clean
✔ Modular and flexible
✔ No gravel pits
✔ Cleaner, clearer water
✔ Safer for families and pets
A Better Pondless Waterfall Experience
No Gravel. No Hassles. No Headaches.
Just a clean, beautiful, low-maintenance waterfall you’ll enjoy for years.
Russell Pondless Systems™
Ultimate Pondless Waterfalls are EASY to CLEAN!
1. Keep your pump running and use an ordinary garden hose to rinse leaves, debris, and fine particulates downstream from the waterfalls and/or stream into the Hydro Sieve™ pre-filter for easy removal.
No need to remove the pump when cleaning and maintaining an Ultimate pondless waterfall. Removing the pump is only necessary for winterizing the pondless waterfall.
2. Turn off your pump and remove the stainless steel filter basket from the Hydro Sieve™ pre-filter.
Open the Hydro Sieve™ pre-filter by lifting off the lid to expose the internal stainless steel filter basket.
Grab the handle which is well above the water line to remove the basket. Empty the basket, hose it out, and then put it back inside the Hydro Sieve™ pre-filter.
3. Open the drain valve at the bottom and backside of the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter and let it completely drain. You will notice dirty water draining from the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter.
Every model of Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter comes complete with a drain, drain pipe, and a drain valve for easy cleaning and backwashing.
4. Backwash the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter either manually, or with the HydroFlush™ Backwash System.
Manual Backwash: Using an ordinary garden hose, rinse the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter from top down with fresh water. No need to disassemble a Hydro Vortex™ filter for cleaning.
Rinse water through the Hydro FilterSilk™ bio media inside the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter until the water flowing out the drain runs clear. When the water runs clear, the filter and bio media are clean. Close the drain valve and restart your pump and waterfalls.
HydroFlush™ Backwash System: With the filter's drain valve open, turn the HydroFlush™ valve to the "Backwash" position. Turn on the pump to send water through the froth-port at the top of the Hydro Vortex™ filter. The water will shoot upwards and then fall back down onto, into, and through the Hydro FilterSilk™ media inside the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter. When the water exiting the drain at the bottom of the filter runs clear, the filter and bio media are clean. Close the drain valve, and turn the HydroFlush™ valve back to the "Filter" position.
5. When water exiting the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter's drain is clear, the filter and bio media are clean. Close the drain valve.
6. Turn on your pump and enjoy your clean and pristine pondless waterfalls.
If you opted for an automatic water fill float-valve, the valve will automatically re-fill the pondless waterfall inside the Hydro Chamber™ for you. Or, you can add water with a garden hose to replace the small amount of water that was used to backwash the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter.
That's it! You're done!
No fuss, and no mess.
Super easy, super quick.
The Easy to Clean Pondless Waterfall
Ultimate pondless waterfalls are the absolute easiest to clean pondless waterfalls - period. Compare for yourself before purchasing any brand of pondless waterfall kit or having one installed for you by a contractor.
Remember, it will be your pondless waterfall, and you will be the one who has to clean it, or pay someone a lot of money to clean it for you.
You can empty the HydroSieve™ daily if you choose. You can backwash the Hydro Vortex™ filter in minutes whenever needed. You can use your garden hose to rinse your waterfalls and stream as often as you like - to keep it as pristine as you wish. You can turn your pump on and off whenever you want. The system does not rely upon beneficial bacteria, and with regular maintenance, rinses, and backwashes - algaecide use will be minimal.
