Formal Falls® - Small Kit with Light
$1,389.99
• NOT FOR USE IN SALTWATER
• Complete kit with 16" stainless steel spillway weir
• 1,800 GPH pump | 42-gallon basin
• Includes one color-changing LED basin light with remote
• Wall blocks and decorative stone sold separately
• Self-draining spillway; store pump indoors during freezing weather
• Made in the USA
• Lifetime basin warranty | 18-month pump warranty
• 1-year limited Formal Falls® and LED warranties
NOTE: For a clean sheet of water, we recommend a maximum waterfall drop of 24" from the basin top to the spillway weir.
• Complete kit with 16" stainless steel spillway weir
• 1,800 GPH pump | 42-gallon basin
• Includes one color-changing LED basin light with remote
• Wall blocks and decorative stone sold separately
• Self-draining spillway; store pump indoors during freezing weather
• Made in the USA
• Lifetime basin warranty | 18-month pump warranty
• 1-year limited Formal Falls® and LED warranties
NOTE: For a clean sheet of water, we recommend a maximum waterfall drop of 24" from the basin top to the spillway weir.
Blue Thumb Formal Falls® | Complete Lighted Waterfall Kit
A Beautiful Sheet Waterfall, Day or Night
Bring flowing water and color-changing illumination to a retaining wall, courtyard, or outdoor living space with our Small Formal Falls® Kit with Light. This coordinated pond-less waterfall system combines a 16-inch stainless steel spillway, concealed recirculating basin, 1,800 GPH pump, and remote-controlled LED lighting. Enjoy the clean architectural look of falling water without building a traditional open pond.
16" Stainless steel spillway
1,800 GPH pump rating
42 gal. Basin capacity
1 LED Color-changing basin light
Designed for a Clean, Illuminated Waterfall
Architectural Water Flow
The stainless steel weir extends from the wall and releases a continuous sheet of water. Its full top supports the surrounding stacked block design.
Color After Dark
One basin-mounted RGB LED light illuminates the falling water. Use the included infrared remote to operate the lighting and choose a color-changing display.
Concealed Recirculation
Water returns to the hidden Formal Falls® basin, where the included pump circulates it back to the spillway. Removable access covers allow the pump to be serviced.
Before You Order: Plan the Wall and Waterfall Drop
We recommend keeping the waterfall drop at 24 inches or less, measured from the top of the basin to the spillway weir. This helps maintain a cleaner sheet of water and reduces splash and wind-related water loss.
The included basin measures 44.125 inches wide by 22 inches deep by 16 inches high. Allow additional room for the wall, plumbing, access, and decorative finish.
The basin may be incorporated into an in-ground or above-ground installation. Your wall blocks, decorative stone, supporting base, and site construction are not included.
Need the same size without lighting? Explore our Small Formal Falls® Kit without Light .
What's Included in the Small Formal Falls® Light Kit?
This kit provides the major water-circulation and lighting components for a 16-inch retaining wall waterfall. The wall and surrounding hardscape are built separately.
Stainless Steel Spillway
- 16" Formal Falls® Stainless Spillway Weir – PB1779
- One 1-inch female threaded inlet
- Self-draining stainless steel construction
- Full top designed for stacked wall block
Water Reservoir
- Small/Medium Formal Falls® Basin – PB1632
- 42-gallon reservoir capacity
- Anti-splash mat and accessible pump chambers
- Pre-installed connections for optional auto-fill equipment
Pump and Plumbing
- Blue Thumb ClearWater 1,800 GPH Pump
- Pump prefilter sock
- Pump discharge assembly
- Flexible hose sized around a 24-inch waterfall installation
- PVC primer, cement, and kit installation fittings
The linked pump page contains multiple sizes. Select the 1,800 GPH model when reviewing the included pump.
Lighting Package
- One color-changing RGB LED basin light
- Infrared remote control
- Pre-installed lighting arrangement on the lighted basin
Point the remote toward the light when operating it. The lighting enhances the waterfall from below rather than being installed inside the stainless steel weir.
Items Not Included
Wall block, decorative gravel or stone, site excavation, base materials, and electrical or water-supply site work are not included. An automatic water-fill kit and any necessary water-pressure regulator are optional purchases.
Complete Product Specifications
Kit SKU: PB1649L
Product type: Complete recirculating Formal Falls® kit with lighting
Spillway width: 16 inches
Spillway model: PB1779
Spillway material: Stainless steel
Spillway inlet: One 1" female threaded inlet
Basin model: PB1632 Small/Medium Formal Falls®
Basin dimensions: 44.125" W × 22" D × 16" H
Basin capacity: 42 gallons
Pump: Blue Thumb ClearWater 1,800 GPH
Pump model: PB1038
Included lighting: One color-changing RGB LED with remote
Recommended drop: 24 inches maximum
Basin installation: In-ground or above ground
Auto-fill ready: Yes; valve sold separately
Saltwater use: Not permitted
Country of origin: Made in the USA
Operating design: Concealed, recirculating waterfall
Compare Formal Falls® Basin Sizes
The Small and Medium Formal Falls® systems use the same 42-gallon basin size. Our Large Formal Falls® system uses a larger reservoir to support its wider spillway.
| Specification | Small/Medium Basin — This Kit | Large Basin |
|---|---|---|
| Basin Model | PB1632 | PB2644 |
| Dimensions | 44.125" × 22" × 16" H | 56" × 24" × 16" H |
| Reservoir Capacity | 42 gallons | 65 gallons |
| Compatible Weirs | 16" Small or 28" Medium | 40" Large |
| Suggested Pump Size | 1,800–4,200 GPH, depending on weir | 6,000 GPH |
| Accepts Auto-Fill | Yes | Yes |
Small/Medium Basin — This Kit
- Model:
- PB1632
- Dimensions:
- 44.125" × 22" × 16" H
- Capacity:
- 42 gallons
- Compatible weirs:
- 16" Small or 28" Medium
- Suggested pump size:
- 1,800–4,200 GPH, depending on weir
- Accepts auto-fill:
- Yes
Large Basin
- Model:
- PB2644
- Dimensions:
- 56" × 24" × 16" H
- Capacity:
- 65 gallons
- Compatible weir:
- 40" Large
- Suggested pump size:
- 6,000 GPH
- Accepts auto-fill:
- Yes
The table compares reservoir compatibility, not the contents of this package. PB1649L includes only the Small/Medium basin, 16-inch weir, and 1,800 GPH pump.
Installation Planning
Formal Falls® is designed to become part of a properly constructed retaining wall or hardscape feature. Review the installation manual before beginning your wall layout or plumbing work.
1
Prepare the Base
Establish a suitable level foundation for the basin and wall. Plan the final spillway height and leave room for the plumbing.
2
Position the Basin
Choose the basin side for water circulation and close the unused connection as directed. Keep pump access serviceable.
3
Connect the Pump and Weir
Assemble the pump discharge, prefilter sock, hose, and stainless spillway connections following our manual. Complete the surrounding wall structure.
4
Finish, Fill, and Test
Install decorative stone while leaving the waterfall's landing area on the anti-splash mat clear. Fill the basin, check connections, and test the waterfall and LED light.
These are planning stages, not a replacement for the complete installation instructions. Follow the supplied pump and lighting electrical instructions and applicable installation requirements.
Water Levels, Maintenance, and Winter Care
Routine Maintenance
- Replace water lost through evaporation or splash.
- Inspect and rinse the pump prefilter sock as needed.
- Keep debris out of the spillway opening.
- Check the anti-splash mat and pump-access areas.
- Clean the basin and refresh the water when needed.
Freezing-Weather Care
The stainless spillway is designed to drain when operation stops and its plumbing is disconnected. For prolonged freezing conditions, our manual recommends removing the pump and plumbing assembly and storing the pump submerged in water in a location that will not freeze.
The basin does not need to be drained for winter. At spring startup, clean out the basin, refill it with fresh water, reinstall the pump, and inspect the system before operation.
Optional Automatic Water-Level Control
The Formal Falls® basin includes connections for an optional automatic water-fill system. The valve and water-supply connection are not included. Confirm the appropriate auto-fill model and water-pressure requirements with our Sales/Tech Team before purchasing.
For periodic cleaning, our fountain water treatments may also be useful when selected according to their labels and the waterfall's water volume.
Warranty Coverage by Component
Individual parts of this kit have different warranty terms. Warranty coverage is subject to our official policy, proper installation, and applicable exclusions.
- Formal Falls® basin: Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original purchaser.
- ClearWater pump: 18-month limited warranty.
- Formal Falls® water feature/weir: Minimum one-year limited warranty.
- RGB LED light fixture: One-year limited warranty.
Installation Manuals and Technical Drawings
Use these original Blue Thumb resources when planning basin placement, plumbing, and the surrounding hardscape.
Formal Falls® Small/Medium Kit Installation Manual (PDF) Small/Medium Formal Falls® Basin CAD Drawing (PDF) 16" Stainless Formal Falls® Weir CAD Drawing (PDF) Blue Thumb Component Warranty Guide (PDF)
The 16-inch weir drawing identifies the non-lighted spillway component. This kit's LED lighting is mounted at the basin, not within the weir.
Additional Resource: Formal Falls® Basin Lighting
Watch this video for an additional look at our Formal Falls® basin lighting system. This is a supplemental lighting resource, not a complete installation guide.
Video: Formal Fall Basin Light. Watch directly on YouTube if the embedded player is unavailable.
Need Help Planning Your Formal Falls® Installation?
Not sure how to position the basin, choose a wall layout, or connect an optional auto-fill system? Our Sales/Tech Team can help you review the details before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a complete waterfall kit or just a spillway?
PB1649L includes the 16-inch stainless spillway, 42-gallon Formal Falls® basin, 1,800 GPH ClearWater pump, prefilter sock, pump discharge components, flexible hose, installation fittings, and one color-changing LED light with remote. The retaining wall, decorative stone, and site construction are separate.
Where is the LED light located?
The light is positioned at the basin to shine upward through the falling water. It is not built into the stainless steel spillway. Point the included infrared remote toward the light to operate it.
How high can I install the spillway above the basin?
We recommend a maximum drop of 24 inches from the basin top to the spillway. A taller drop can increase splash and wind-related water loss and may affect the appearance of the water sheet.
Can the basin be installed above ground?
Yes. The Formal Falls® basin is intended for either in-ground or above-ground hardscape installations. Plan for a level supporting base, proper wall construction, accessible plumbing, and adequate pump maintenance access.
Do I need to drain the waterfall for winter?
The basin does not need to be drained for winter. However, in locations with prolonged freezing temperatures, we recommend removing the pump and plumbing assembly. Store the pump in a bucket of water in a frost-free location and follow the official seasonal-care instructions.
Can I install an automatic water-fill system?
Yes. The basin has pre-installed connections that support optional water-level control. The auto-fill valve, incoming supply, and any required pressure regulator are sold separately. Confirm the correct kit and connection requirements with us before ordering.
Can this waterfall kit be used with saltwater?
No. This Formal Falls® kit is not approved for saltwater applications. If you are planning an installation near a saltwater pool or another chemically treated environment, contact our Sales/Tech Team about compatibility before purchasing.
Can I get a wider waterfall with LED lighting?
Yes. Consider our Medium Formal Falls® Kit with Light for a 28-inch spillway or our Large Formal Falls® Kit with Lights for a 40-inch spillway. Each kit has its own pump and lighting configuration, so compare the complete package before ordering.
