Atlantic's Two Pond Kit Systems — Standard PK vs. Atlantic-OASE Clear Water System
Atlantic offers two fundamentally different pond kit philosophies. Most buyers don't know this distinction exists — and it's the most important choice in this collection.
Standard PK Series — The Proven Ecosystem Approach
Atlantic's PK Series uses the industry-standard ecosystem pond approach: a Big Bahama skimmer at the pond edge captures surface debris and houses the pump, which pushes water up to a FilterFalls biological waterfall filter that creates your waterfall and provides biological filtration. Proven, low-maintenance, and beautiful. Available from Small (10'×15', $1,335) through Extra Large ($4,888) with each kit including matched skimmer, FilterFalls, TidalWave3 pump, liner, underlayment, and LED lighting. Best for: standard water gardens, light-to-moderate koi ponds, builders who want a proven system with a natural-looking waterfall.
PK161015 · PK191515/20 · PK261520/2020 · PK382025/2530
Atlantic-OASE Clear Water System — Top-Down AND Bottom-Up Filtration
The CWS kits combine Atlantic's surface skimmer with an OASE bottom pump — cleaning from two directions simultaneously. An Atlantic skimmer removes floating surface debris. An OASE AquaMax pump sits on the pond bottom, drawing up settled fish waste and heavy organics and sending them to a sophisticated multi-stage filter. That EPA-certified filter provides mechanical filtration, biological treatment (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate), AND UV clarification — all in one pressurized canister. The result: crystal-clear water with significantly less maintenance, backed by Atlantic-OASE's Clear Water Guarantee. Best for: koi ponds and serious water gardens where water clarity is non-negotiable.
94629 Small (11'×11') · 94630 Medium (11'×16') · 94632 Extra Large (16'×21') · Clear Water Guarantee
💡 Quick decision guide: which system is right for you?
Choose PK Series if you want a proven, natural-looking waterfall ecosystem pond with standard maintenance and are keeping light-to-moderate fish loads. Choose Atlantic-OASE CWS if you want the absolute clearest water possible, are keeping koi or heavily stocking fish, or want to minimize maintenance with a performance guarantee behind your system.
Atlantic Water Gardens Pond Kit Size Guide
All kits include matched skimmer, FilterFalls or OASE filter, TidalWave3 or OASE AquaMax pump, liner, underlayment, and LED lighting unless noted. Volume estimates at 2-foot average depth.
| Kit (SKU) |
Series |
Footprint |
~Volume |
Price |
Best For |
| PK161015 |
PK Standard |
10 × 15 ft |
~1,350 gal |
$1,335 |
Entry-level · small water garden · light fish |
| PK191515 |
PK Standard |
11 × 15 ft |
~1,900 gal |
$2,110 |
Medium water garden · goldfish · DIY build |
| PK191520 |
PK Standard |
11 × 16 ft |
~2,500 gal |
$2,364 |
Most popular residential size · light koi |
| PK261520 |
PK Standard |
15 × 20 ft |
~3,000 gal |
$2,556 |
Large water garden · moderate koi stocking |
| PK262020 |
PK Standard |
13 × 18 ft |
~3,300 gal |
$2,793 |
Statement pond · koi showcase · large feature |
| PK382025 |
PK Standard |
~16 × 20 ft |
~5,000 gal |
$4,210 |
Large koi pond · estate feature |
| PK382530 |
PK Standard |
~21 × 25 ft |
~6,500 gal |
$4,888 |
Largest standard kit · commercial / contractor |
| 94629 CWS Small |
Atlantic-OASE CWS |
11 × 11 ft |
~1,200 gal |
$2,331 |
Guaranteed clear water · koi or murky ponds |
| 94630 CWS Medium |
Atlantic-OASE CWS |
11 × 16 ft |
~2,500 gal |
$3,242 |
Guaranteed clear water · medium koi pond |
| 94632 CWS XL |
Atlantic-OASE CWS |
16 × 21 ft |
~4,000 gal |
$5,743 |
Guaranteed clear water · large koi pond · premium |
ⓘ Blue rows = PK Standard Series (conventional ecosystem approach). Green rows = Atlantic-OASE Clear Water System (dual-pump, EPA-certified filter, Clear Water Guarantee). Call (765) 508-4352 for sizing guidance specific to your pond depth and fish load.
Why Atlantic Water Gardens — and Why Buy from Pond Pro Direct?
Atlantic Water Gardens has been a leading innovator in water garden products since the late 1980s and is now a member of the OASE Group — one of the largest water feature companies in the world, with OASE engineering heritage going back to 1949 in Germany. This partnership is what makes the Atlantic-OASE Clear Water System possible: Atlantic's proven pond hardware (skimmer, plumbing, liner) combined with OASE's sophisticated filter technology results in a kit that carries a genuine Clear Water Guarantee — a level of performance commitment no standard ecosystem kit can match.
Atlantic's product design philosophy centers on serviceability, durability, and compatibility. The Big Bahama enclosures carry lifetime warranties and are built from high-molecular-weight polyethylene — resistant to warping and deformation that affects lesser enclosures in freeze-thaw environments. Fittings use black anodized stainless steel hardware for longevity and concealment. The FilterFalls biological filter accepts more upgrade media than any competitor product in its class.
Pond Pro Direct carries the complete Atlantic Water Gardens and Atlantic-OASE line — both PK Series and Clear Water System pond kits, TidalWave3 pumps, Big Bahama filtration, Colorfalls spillways, formal basin kits, pump vaults, and LED lighting. Call (765) 508-4352 to discuss which Atlantic system is right for your pond footprint, fish load, and water clarity requirements.
Atlantic Water Gardens FAQs
What is Atlantic Water Gardens and what makes it different from other pond brands?
Atlantic Water Gardens has been manufacturing professional-grade water garden products since the late 1980s — over 30 years of real-world installation experience. In recent years, Atlantic became a member of the OASE Group, one of the largest water feature and pond companies globally (founded in Germany in 1949). This partnership produced the Atlantic-OASE Clear Water System — a dual-pump pond kit that combines Atlantic's proven hardware with OASE's sophisticated EPA-certified multi-stage filtration, backed by a Clear Water Guarantee. Atlantic is particularly well-regarded for its Big Bahama skimmer and FilterFalls enclosures, which carry lifetime warranties and are built from high-molecular-weight polyethylene — more durable and warp-resistant than standard HDPE enclosures used by competitors.
What is the Atlantic-OASE Clear Water System and how is it different from the standard PK Series?
Atlantic's standard PK Series uses the conventional ecosystem pond approach: one pump inside the skimmer pushes surface-captured water up through a FilterFalls biological waterfall filter. This is proven and effective for most water gardens and lightly-to-moderately stocked ponds. The Atlantic-OASE Clear Water System uses a fundamentally different dual-pump approach: an Atlantic skimmer captures surface debris AND an OASE AquaMax pump sits on the pond bottom pulling up settled fish waste, sending it to an EPA-certified multi-stage pressurized filter with mechanical, biological, and UV treatment stages. This "top-down AND bottom-up" cleaning produces significantly clearer water with less maintenance — and is backed by a Clear Water Guarantee. The CWS kits are the right choice for koi ponds, heavily stocked ponds, or any installation where water clarity is a priority and standard ecosystem results aren't enough.
What is the Clear Water Guarantee on Atlantic-OASE CWS kits?
The Clear Water Guarantee is Atlantic-OASE's performance commitment — the CWS kits are engineered and guaranteed to deliver crystal-clear water even with fish loads up to 10 inches of fish per 100 gallons of pond water. This is a meaningful performance claim: most standard ecosystem ponds struggle with persistent murk or green water at these stocking levels. The CWS dual-pump approach with its EPA-certified OASE filter addresses the underlying cause (accumulated bottom waste and dissolved organics) rather than just surface symptoms. Visit atlantic-oase.com for the full guarantee terms, or call us at (765) 508-4352 to discuss whether a CWS kit is right for your fish load and pond size.
What is the TidalWave3 asynchronous pump and why is it better than a standard direct-drive pump?
The TidalWave3 (TT3000, TT4000, TT5000) uses an asynchronous motor — the same technology used in high-efficiency appliance motors. Asynchronous motors deliver equivalent GPH at significantly lower wattage than older direct-drive pond pumps. In practical terms, a TidalWave3 at 3,000 GPH consumes substantially fewer watts than a comparable direct-drive pump, resulting in lower annual electricity costs and a cooler-running motor that lasts longer. The TT series also achieves high max head heights (TT3000: 15 ft, TT4000: 20 ft, TT5000: 21 ft), meaning flow holds up better as waterfall height increases — reducing the common problem of "strong pump, weak waterfall" caused by head height losses. The TidalWave3 is the standard pump in all Atlantic PK Series pond kits.
What do Atlantic's Big Bahama FilterFalls and FilterFalls do differently from other biological waterfall filters?
The Big Bahama FilterFalls has a spacious interior that accepts up to six Matala filter mats — most competing biological waterfall filters accept only two or three. This larger media capacity means more biological surface area for beneficial bacteria, which directly translates to better handling of fish waste and organic load in koi ponds. The FilterFalls also accommodates a variety of bio-media options in addition to Matala mats, making it one of the most upgradeable biological filters in its class. It comes standard with a bottom grate, two Bio-Tech filter mats, a media bag for bio-media, and support bars. The heavy-duty removable top grate makes media access and cleaning faster. Lifetime enclosure warranty.
What is the difference between the Atlantic Colorfalls LED and the FastFalls SP1600 spillway?
The FastFalls SP1600 is a clean, professional-grade 16" waterfall spillway weir for pondless waterfall features — it creates a smooth, consistent sheet of water and is designed for the standard waterfall contractor installation. No lighting included. It's the workhorse pondless spillway for natural-look waterfall builds. The Colorfalls 24" is a wider, premium spillway with integrated LED lighting (Blue or White) built directly into the weir housing. No separate lighting fixtures or additional transformer for the lights needed. It's designed for contemporary hardscape, retaining wall, and formal pool-surround applications where the illuminated effect at night is a primary design goal. The Colorfalls creates a sheer descent style water sheet — clean, architectural, and dramatic after dark.
What do Atlantic's Complete Basin Kits include and which size should I choose?
Atlantic's Complete Basin Kits are pre-matched reservoir systems for formal spillway and disappearing fountain installations. Each kit includes the basin reservoir, pump vault, and plumbing fittings — everything needed to house the pump and recirculate water beneath the feature. The 12" Basin Kit ($867) is for small patio fountains, bubbling rocks, and statuary pieces. The 24" Basin Kit ($1,004) is matched for the Atlantic 24" Colorfalls — this is the standard pairing for a formal illuminated spillway feature. The 36" Basin Kit ($1,307) is for larger installations, wider spillways, or multiple fountain elements sharing one reservoir. The pump vault included in each kit makes pump access and maintenance significantly easier than pumps buried in loose gravel.
Do Atlantic pond kits include everything I need to build a pond?
Atlantic PK Series kits are comprehensive — they typically include the Big Bahama skimmer, FilterFalls biological waterfall filter, TidalWave3 pump, Triton check valve, flexible PVC pipe, 45-mil EPDM pond liner, heavy-duty underlayment, LED lighting package, auto-fill kit, and complete installation kit with fittings, PVC glue, and FallsFoam. Medium, Large, and Extra Large kits include LED lighting. Small kits may have a slightly reduced accessories package — confirm on the specific kit's product page. You'll still need rock, gravel, plants, and any decorative materials for the installation itself. Atlantic-OASE CWS kits also include all components but use the OASE dual-pump filter system instead of a standard FilterFalls.
What routine maintenance should I expect with Atlantic ecosystem ponds?
Atlantic ecosystem ponds using the PK Series are designed for minimal maintenance. Weekly: empty the Big Bahama skimmer debris basket (more frequently in fall). Monthly: rinse the FilterFalls mechanical media when flow decreases. Seasonally: spring cleanout to remove any bottom sludge, rinse rocks, and restart the biological cycle. Atlantic-OASE CWS ponds require less maintenance than standard systems because the OASE bottom pump continuously removes settled waste before it accumulates — eliminating or dramatically reducing the annual "drain and muck out" required by conventional ponds. The OASE multi-stage filter backwashes easily without a full media replacement. Regardless of which system, if waterfall flow decreases, check the skimmer basket first, then filter media.
How do I find the right Atlantic Water Gardens replacement parts?
Start with the exact model number of your pump, skimmer, FilterFalls, or spillway — typically on the label or in your installation documentation. Common Atlantic replacement items include TidalWave3 pump impellers (model-specific), Big Bahama skimmer debris nets and brush panels, FilterFalls filter mats and bio-media, Colorfalls LED components, Triton check valve seals, and FallsFoam expandable sealant. For OASE components in Atlantic-OASE CWS kits, OASE filter pads and UV lamp replacement follow their own schedule — typically annually for UV lamps. Call us at (765) 508-4352 with your component model number and we'll confirm the correct replacement and check availability. Keeping your model numbers on hand is especially helpful for mid-season pump or filter issues when you need a fast turnaround.
