Blue Thumb PB1212 Small DIY Pond Kit 8'×11' | ~1,200 Gallons | DIY 90 Skimmer | 1200 Waterfall Box
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Description
Build a beautiful 8'×11' backyard pond with the Blue Thumb PB1212 Small DIY Pond Kit — Blue Thumb's entry-level contractor-series kit designed for the weekend DIYer who wants a complete, quality system without the professional-grade price tag. The PB1212 delivers everything you need for a ~1,200-gallon ecosystem pond: a DIY 90 Skimmer, DIY 1200 Waterfall Box (with included Bacti-Twist biological filter media), a Blue Thumb Clear Water pump, check valve assembly, 1.5" flex PVC, and a 45-mil EPDM fish-safe rubber liner. Both the skimmer and waterfall box carry Blue Thumb's Lifetime Manufacturers Warranty and are Made in USA. This is the kit for first-time pond builders and homeowners who want the Blue Thumb name at a more accessible price point.
What's Included — Blue Thumb PB1212 DIY Pond Kit
Filtration System
- DIY 90 Skimmer — 7.5"W×6.25"H snout opening; max flow 2,000 GPH; 16.25"×13.25"×14.75"H; filters ponds up to 90 sq ft (8'×11'); two-stage mechanical filtration; Lifetime warranty; Made in USA
- DIY 1200 Waterfall Box (PB1151) — 14" spillway; 19"×15.5"×14.5"H; max flow 2,000 GPH; filters up to 1,200 gal.; includes bio filter mat, mesh media bag, and Bacti-Twist filter media; Lifetime warranty; Made in USA
- Bacti-Twist Filter Media — spiral biological media included with the DIY 1200 Waterfall Box; provides surface area for beneficial bacteria growth
Pump & Plumbing
- Blue Thumb Clear Water Pump — designed for continuous operation; sits inside skimmer protected by filter mat and net basket
- Check Valve Assembly (1.5") — prevents backflow and reverse siphon during power outages
- 1.5" PVC Flex Pipe — connects skimmer to waterfall box; flexible for easier routing than rigid PVC
Liner & Base
- 45-mil EPDM Rubber Liner — 12'×15' fish-safe; UV-resistant; flexible
- Protective Underliner — non-woven geotextile; faster to install than newspaper; covers vertical walls; allows soil gas exchange
Installation & Maintenance
- Installation Kit — black foam sealant, PVC cement, silicone sealant, tape
- Pond Maintenance Water Treatment Kit — beneficial bacteria and water treatments for pond startup
- Instruction Manual (PDF available)
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| SKU / Model | PB1212 |
| Pond Footprint | 8'×11' (approximately) |
| Pond Volume | ~1,200 gallons |
| Recommended Depth | 18"–24" recommended; 24" for koi over-wintering |
| Liner | 12'×15' — 45-mil EPDM fish-safe rubber |
| Skimmer | DIY 90 Skimmer — 7.5"W snout; max 2,000 GPH; 16.25"×13.25"×14.75"H; Lifetime warranty; Made in USA |
| Waterfall Filter | DIY 1200 Waterfall Box (PB1151) — 14" spillway; max 2,000 GPH; 1,200 gal. capacity; Bacti-Twist media included; Lifetime warranty; Made in USA |
| Pump | Blue Thumb Clear Water Pump — 1,800 GPH |
| PVC Tubing | 1.5" ID flex PVC (note: Elite kits use 2" — incompatible sizing) |
| Check Valve | 1.5" Check Valve Assembly (included) |
| Warranty | Lifetime — Skimmer & Waterfall Box |
| Origin | Made in USA 🇺🇸 Made in USA |
| Not Included | Rocks and gravel (required); LED pond lighting; LED transformer |
DIY Kit vs. Elite Kit — What's the Difference?
The PB1212 and PB1267 Elite both build an 8'×11' pond. Here's what changes as you move up:
| Component | PB1212 DIY ($1,199) | PB1267 Elite ($1,779) |
|---|---|---|
| Skimmer | DIY 90 — 2,000 GPH max; 90 sq ft | 8" Elite — 5,500 GPH max; thicker walls; handles 11'×16' ponds |
| Waterfall Filter | DIY 1200 — 2,000 GPH max; Bacti-Twist media | 14" Elite — 3,500 GPH max; TWO Matala mats; heavier-duty body |
| Pump Type | Clear Water Pump (mag-drive) | PB1014 Solids Handling Pump (2,160 GPH) |
| PVC Size | 1.5" | 2" |
| LED Lighting | Not included | LED light + transformer included |
| Filter Media | Bacti-Twist (included) | Two Matala biological mats (included) |
| Warranty | Lifetime (skimmer + waterfall) | Lifetime (skimmer + waterfall) |
Both kits build a quality pond. The Elite kit handles larger fish loads, provides a higher-flow pump that passes debris without clogging, and comes with LED lighting on day one. For most first-time pond builders building a modest goldfish or small koi pond, the PB1212 delivers excellent performance. If you plan to stock koi heavily or want a lower-maintenance system from the start, consider the Elite. Call us to discuss your specific plans: (765) 508-4352.
Blue Thumb DIY vs. Elite Series Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
What skimmer and waterfall filter are included in the PB1212?
The PB1212 includes the DIY 90 Skimmer and DIY 1200 Waterfall Box (PB1151). The DIY 90 Skimmer handles ponds up to 90 square feet (8'×11'), with a 7.5" wide snout opening and a max pump flow of 2,000 GPH. The DIY 1200 Waterfall Box has a 14" spillway, handles up to 1,200 gallons, and a max of 2,000 GPH — sized specifically for this kit. Both are Made in USA and carry Blue Thumb's Lifetime Manufacturers Warranty. These are the entry-level (Serenity Series) components; the Elite Series counterparts have larger bodies and higher flow capacity.
What is the Bacti-Twist filter media, and is it included?
Yes — Bacti-Twist Filter Media is included with the DIY 1200 Waterfall Box. Bacti-Twist is a spiral-shaped biological media that provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize. It works alongside the waterfall box's bio filter mat and mesh bag to handle the nitrogen cycle: beneficial bacteria convert toxic ammonia (from fish waste and decaying organics) into nitrites, then into harmless nitrates. For the PB1212's DIY waterfall filter, the Bacti-Twist media is your primary biological filtration media. If you upgrade to the Elite PB1267 kit, you get two Matala biological filtration mats instead — higher surface area, different media design.
What type of pump is included, and how does it differ from the Elite pump?
The PB1212 includes Blue Thumb's Clear Water Pump — a mag-drive (magnetic drive) centrifugal pump designed for continuous operation. This is different from the Elite kit's PB1014 Solids Handling Pump. The key practical difference: the Elite's solids-handling pump can pass small debris through the impeller without clogging; the DIY Clear Water pump requires cleaner water and relies more on the skimmer's filter mat to protect it from debris. Both pumps sit inside the skimmer body. For pump GPH, please call us to confirm the current spec: (765) 508-4352.
How do I winterize the DIY kit's Clear Water pump?
The Clear Water pump is a mag-drive pump — do NOT store it in a bucket of water over winter (a common guideline for external de-icer pumps that does not apply here). For the PB1212's Clear Water pump, the correct winterization is:
- Remove the pump from the skimmer when sustained freezing temperatures arrive.
- Rinse the pump with clean water to remove debris from the impeller and housing.
- Store the pump dry in a frost-free location (garage, basement) for the winter.
- Drain all water from the 1.5" PVC flex pipe to prevent freeze cracking.
- Drain and clean the DIY 90 Skimmer and DIY 1200 Waterfall Box.
- For fish over-winter, install a pond de-icer or aerator to maintain an ice-free hole for gas exchange.
Is this kit suitable for koi?
Yes, the PB1212 can support koi in a ~1,200-gallon pond. For a sustainable koi population, stock conservatively — 3–5 koi under 10" is a reasonable starting point. Koi grow significantly (12–24"+ at maturity) and produce substantial waste relative to goldfish. The DIY filtration system is sized for the 8'×11'×2' pond volume; heavier koi loads may benefit from the Elite PB1267's higher-capacity pump and dual Matala mat filtration. For winter survival of koi, maintain 24" depth and use a de-icer or aerator to keep an ice-free hole in the surface during freezing weather.
What's NOT included that I'll need before I can finish the installation?
The key items not included with the PB1212 are:
- Rocks and gravel (required — plan for 1–2 tons of boulders, fieldstone, and pea gravel for a standard 8'×11' installation)
- LED pond lighting (optional but recommended — available separately; the Elite PB1267 includes LED light and transformer standard)
- Fish and aquatic plants
- Propane or electricity for any optional de-icer in winter climates
The kit includes everything else: liner, underliner, skimmer, waterfall box, biological media, pump, check valve, PVC pipe, installation foam/sealant kit, and first-season water treatments.
Why Buy From Pond Pro Direct?
- Authorized Blue Thumb dealer — Lifetime warranty support on skimmer and waterfall box.
- Local Indiana expertise — our Westfield, IN team can advise on component selection, installation sequencing, and whether the DIY or Elite kit is right for your pond goals.
- 30-day return period. Price Match Guarantee. Call or text Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM EST.
Blue Thumb PB1212 Small DIY Pond Kit (8'×11', ~1,200 gal.): 45-mil EPDM liner, DIY 90 Skimmer (Lifetime warranty, Made in USA), DIY 1200 Waterfall Box with Bacti-Twist media (Lifetime warranty, Made in USA), Blue Thumb Clear Water pump, 1.5" check valve and flex PVC, installation kit, and pond maintenance treatment kit. Rocks, gravel, and LED lighting not included.
Questions about DIY vs. Elite, fish stocking, or installation? Call or text (765) 508-4352 — Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST.
Price Match
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