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Large Formal Falls waterfall illuminated purple at night, flowing from a stone retaining wall into a decorative pebble basin.

Formal Falls® - Large 40" Kit with Color-Changing LED Lights

SKU:
PB2651L
$2,079.99
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NOT FOR USE IN SALTWATER
• Complete kit with pump, basin, plumbing & lighting
• 40" stainless steel spillway weir
• 6,000 GPH IllumiFlow® pump
• 65-gallon basin capacity
• 2 color-changing LED lights with remote
• Self-draining spillway; pump requires winter care
• Wall materials & decorative stone sold separately

NOTE: Recommended maximum waterfall height is 24" from basin top to spillway weir for a clean sheet of water.
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Description

Blue Thumb Formal Falls® | Complete Lighted Waterfall System

40-Inch Formal Falls® Kit with Color-Changing LED Lights

Create a wide, illuminated sheet waterfall in a retaining wall or outdoor living space with our Large Formal Falls® Kit with Lights. This coordinated pond-less waterfall system combines a 40-inch stainless steel spillway, a hidden 65-gallon reservoir, an IllumiFlow® pump, and two color-changing LED lights with remote control. The water continuously recirculates from the basin through the wall-mounted spillway, creating a striking display by day and after dark.

40 inches Stainless steel spillway width
65 gallons Basin reservoir capacity
6,000 GPH Included IllumiFlow® pump rating
2 LED lights Color-changing with remote

Designed for a Built-In Waterfall

Formal Falls® brings moving water into a wall without requiring an exposed pond. The stainless steel spillway sits within the block structure while the basin below catches and recirculates water. Decorative stone can conceal the reservoir, leaving the flowing water as the focal point.

The spillway has a full top designed to accommodate stacked wall materials, and its self-draining construction allows water to leave the weir when the pump is shut off. Two LED fixtures in the basin illuminate the waterfall and surrounding wall for evening viewing.

Important height recommendation: For a clean, controlled sheet of water, we recommend keeping the distance from the basin top to the spillway weir at 24 inches or less. Greater heights increase the risk of oversplash and water loss, especially in windy locations.

What's Included in Your Kit

Waterfall & Basin

Pump & Plumbing

LED Lighting

  • Two basin-mounted, color-changing LED lights
  • Infrared remote control
  • Lighting system designed to illuminate the falling water

The infrared remote must be pointed toward the light to operate it.

What You'll Supply Separately

  • Retaining-wall blocks, stone, tile, or other suitable wall materials
  • Decorative pebbles or gravel
  • Suitable site base and preparation materials
  • Water and appropriate electrical access
  • Optional automatic water-fill equipment
Component-link note: The linked IllumiFlow® pump listing offers several sizes. This kit uses the 6,000 GPH PB1748 model; the component page does not necessarily preselect it.

Technical Specifications

Kit SKU: PB2651L
Spillway model: PB1816
Spillway width: 40 inches
Spillway dimensions: 40" W × 8" D × 3.5" H
Spillway material: Stainless steel
Spillway inlets: Three 1" female-threaded inlets
Basin model: PB2644
Basin dimensions: 56" L × 24" W × 16" H
Basin capacity: 65 gallons
Pump model: IllumiFlow® 6000, PB1748
Pump rating: 6,000 GPH maximum rated flow
Recommended drop: 24" maximum from basin top to weir
Lighting: 2 color-changing basin LED lights with infrared remote
Auto-fill ready: Yes; optional valve sold separately
Application: Freshwater retaining-wall waterfall
Saltwater use: Not permitted

Pump sizing note: The 6,000 GPH figure is the pump's rated flow, not a guaranteed delivered flow at every installation height. Actual output depends on total head, plumbing, and fittings.

Compare Formal Falls® Basin Sizes

Our Large kit pairs the 40-inch spillway with the larger reservoir. The Small and Medium Formal Falls® systems use the smaller basin.

Specification Small / Medium Basin Large Basin — This Kit
Dimensions 44.125" × 22" × 16" H 56" × 24" × 16" H
Reservoir Capacity 42 gallons 65 gallons
Recommended Weirs 16" Small (PB1779)
28" Medium (PB1793)		 40" Large (PB1816)
Accepts Auto-Fill Yes Yes
Suggested Pump Rating 1,800–4,200 GPH 6,000 GPH

Small / Medium Basin

Dimensions: 44.125" × 22" × 16" H

Capacity: 42 gallons

Weirs: 16" Small (PB1779), 28" Medium (PB1793)

Auto-fill: Compatible

Suggested pump: 1,800–4,200 GPH

This Model

Large Basin

Dimensions: 56" × 24" × 16" H

Capacity: 65 gallons

Weir: 40" Large (PB1816)

Auto-fill: Compatible

Suggested pump: 6,000 GPH

Prefer the same waterfall without the lighting package? See our Large Formal Falls® Kit without Lights (PB2651). This PB2651L kit includes the color-changing basin lighting.

Planning Your Installation

The basin may be installed in-ground or above ground, depending on the design. Plan space for the 56-inch-long reservoir, the wall structure, pump access, and the water's landing area. The wall, foundation, and site preparation must be suitable for the selected materials and installation conditions.

Prepare the Base

Establish an appropriate, level foundation for the retaining-wall structure and basin.

Position the Basin

Set the basin against the wall and choose the plumbing side. Both sides have connection locations to support installation flexibility.

Assemble Pump & Plumbing

Fit the prefilter sock over the pump, assemble the discharge fittings, and connect the hose as directed in the manual.

Set the Stainless Spillway

Place the weir within the wall at the planned height, connect the supplied manifold and flow-control assembly, and keep the adjustment handle accessible.

Complete the Wall & Basin

Finish the surrounding wall and add decorative gravel. Leave the direct water-impact area over the anti-splash mat clear of gravel.

Fill, Test & Adjust

Fill the basin before starting the pump. Check all plumbing, adjust the waterfall flow, and use the infrared remote to operate the lights.

Electrical safety: Provide properly located, code-compliant electrical service with GFCI protection. Keep plugs and electrical connections protected from water exposure, and follow the equipment instructions and applicable electrical codes. Never operate the pump without sufficient water.

For complete plumbing, placement, construction, and startup instructions, use the Large Formal Falls® installation manual linked below. The steps above are an overview, not a replacement for the manual.

Water Level, Maintenance & Winter Care

Routine Maintenance

  • Maintain enough water to keep the pump submerged.
  • Remove leaves, debris, and buildup from the basin and anti-splash mat.
  • Inspect the prefilter sock and pump periodically.
  • Clear debris from the spillway opening if the sheet of water begins to separate.
  • Clean the basin and refresh its water during seasonal maintenance.

Winter Care in Freezing Climates

  • Unplug, remove, and clean the pump before prolonged freezing weather.
  • Store the pump according to its instructions in a location that will not freeze.
  • Allow the stainless spillway and connected plumbing to drain.
  • Leave the buried basin approximately half full rather than draining it completely for winter.
  • Protect lighting controls and the remote from snow and moisture.
Why winter care matters: Our stainless Formal Falls® weir is designed to self-drain, but that does not eliminate the need to protect the pump and associated equipment in freezing conditions. Follow the winter procedure in our maintenance guide.

Optional Accessories

Automatic Water Fill

The basin includes pre-installed connection locations for an optional auto-fill valve. This accessory helps replace water lost to evaporation and splash.

View the Automatic Water Fill Kit

Sold separately. Check the supply connection and pressure-regulation requirements before installation.

Decorative Finishing Materials

Complete the appearance of your waterfall with suitable decorative stone, leaving the water-impact area over the splash mat clear.

Explore Formal Falls® Accessories and Lighting

Decorative stone is not included.

Component-Specific Warranty Coverage

This kit contains components with different warranty terms. Our current Blue Thumb warranty document identifies the following coverage:

  • Formal Falls® engineered-plastic basin: Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original purchaser, subject to the published terms.
  • IllumiFlow® pump: 24-month limited warranty.
  • Formal Falls® stainless steel water feature: One-year limited workmanship warranty under the applicable Formal Falls® coverage.
  • RGB LED light fixtures: One-year limited warranty.

Proper installation, maintenance, and winter care are important warranty conditions. Coverage does not automatically extend from one component to the entire kit.

View Official Blue Thumb Warranty (PDF)

Installation Manuals & Technical Resources

Use our official documents for installation planning, detailed dimensions, maintenance, and professional design reference.

Large 40" Formal Falls® Installation Manual Formal Falls® Maintenance Guide Large Basin CAD Sheet PB2644 Basin Product Drawing 40" Stainless Spillway CAD Drawing

The stainless weir CAD drawing is labeled as the non-lighted model because the lighting in this kit is installed at the basin, not inside the spillway.

See Formal Falls® in Action

See how Formal Falls® creates a built-in retaining-wall waterfall and how the color-changing basin lighting transforms the appearance of the water after dark.

Formal Falls® — Retaining Wall Waterfall

See the Formal Falls® waterfall concept and how flowing water can be incorporated into a retaining-wall design. The video demonstrates the product family; specific configurations may differ from this kit.

Formal Falls® — Color-Changing Basin Lights

Watch the Formal Falls® basin lighting cycle through different colors and illuminate the waterfall. This demonstration highlights the color-changing lighting available in the lighted kit.

Need Help Planning Your Formal Falls®?

Our Sales/Tech Team can help you review your wall layout, basin placement, pump access, plumbing, and waterfall height before you order.

Call 888-619-3474 Email Our Sales/Tech Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install this kit in an existing retaining wall?

It may be possible, but installation depends on the wall's construction, access for the spillway and plumbing, suitable support, and space for the basin. Review the installation manual before altering an existing wall. We recommend professional evaluation if structural changes are required.

Will the waterfall produce a clean sheet of water?

The 40-inch stainless weir is designed to create a sheet waterfall. For best results, keep the drop at or below our recommended 24-inch height, maintain appropriate flow, and prevent debris from collecting in the spillway opening. Wind and site conditions can affect the water's appearance and landing area.

Can the LED lights stay on one color?

Yes. The color-changing lighting system uses an infrared remote to control the lighting effect. Aim the remote toward the light when making adjustments. The available functions are determined by the supplied controller.

Can I use this waterfall near a swimming pool?

Formal Falls® can be incorporated into landscapes that include pools, but this kit is not rated for saltwater use. Do not use it as a saltwater or chemically treated pool-circulation component. Consult our Sales/Tech Team about any installation involving pool water or specialized electrical requirements.

What if my wall design requires a higher waterfall?

Our standard kit is planned around a maximum recommended 24-inch drop from the basin top to the spillway. A taller installation increases oversplash and water-loss risks and may require a different plumbing and water-capture design. Contact us before purchasing for a nonstandard installation.

Is the basin accessible after the wall is finished?

Yes. The Formal Falls® basin is designed with pump-access locations beneath the splash-mat area. Your wall and decorative-stone layout should preserve practical access for pump inspection, cleaning, and removal.

How do I prevent the pump from running dry?

Check the reservoir water level regularly and replace water lost to splash and evaporation. An optional automatic water-fill kit can help maintain the level, but it does not replace routine inspections. Never operate the pump without sufficient water.

Does the entire kit have a lifetime warranty?

No. The lifetime warranty applies to the qualifying engineered-plastic basin. The IllumiFlow® pump, stainless water feature, and RGB LED fixtures have their own limited warranty terms. See our official warranty document for coverage and exclusions.