Blue Thumb PB28KIT Elite 28" Spillway Waterfall Kit – Large Pondless Backyard Cascading Falls System
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Description
The Blue Thumb PB28KIT Elite 28" Spillway Cascading Falls Kit delivers a wide, dramatic waterfall in a complete pondless system — creating a stream approximately 15 feet long and 2–4 feet wide. The 28" Elite Spillway produces a bold water curtain across its full 28" width, powered by the Illumiflow 6000 GPH hybrid pump that delivers direct-drive flow rates at magnetic-drive energy costs. Every component needed for a professional pondless installation is included: spillway, Elite Pump Canyon vault, three Large Basin Matrix underground reservoir boxes, two PondGard liner pieces, flex pipe, installation kit, and Muck Buster. Made in the USA by Blue Thumb.
What's Included
Waterfall System
- 28" Elite Spillway (PB2866) — 28" spillway width; 7,800 GPH max pump flow; internal baffles for even water distribution; landscape lid; Lifetime Warranty
- Elite Pump Canyon (vault) — one-piece octagonal molded; side slots for water entry; auto-fill spinweld (PB1342 optional); Lifetime Warranty
- Pump Discharge Assembly with check valve
- 8 oz Pond Cleaner & Muck Buster
Pump and Plumbing
- Illumiflow 6000 GPH Pump (#PB1748) — 6,000 GPH max | 28.5 ft max head | 120V | 521W | 4.55A | 25-ft cord | 1.5" male threaded discharge | hybrid direct/mag-drive | oil-free | water-cooled | thermal overload protection | 24-Month Limited Warranty
- Black PVC Flex Pipe — 2"x25'
- Installation Kit — black foam sealant + PVC glue + hardware
Liner and Basin
- PondGard Rubber Liner — 10'x10' (basin area) — 45-mil EPDM; 20-year warranty
- PondGard Rubber Liner — 10'x20' (stream bed) — both pieces included
- Protective Underliner (non-woven geotextile)
- Basin Matrix — 3 Large — 7.4 gal/cu ft (3x more than gravel); modular underground reservoir
Not Included
- Rocks and gravel (required — source separately)
- LED lighting (optional — Blue Thumb light kit sold separately)
- Auto-fill kit PB1342 (optional — attaches to Pump Canyon spinweld)
- Additional PVC pipe for runs beyond 25'
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| SKU / Model | PB28KIT | Blue Thumb Elite 28" Spillway Cascading Falls Kit |
| Stream Size | ~15 feet long x 2'–4' wide (maximum) |
| Spillway | 28" Elite Spillway (PB2866) — 7,800 GPH max | 28" width | internal baffles | Lifetime Warranty |
| Pump Canyon | Elite Pump Canyon — octagonal one-piece molded | auto-fill spinweld | Lifetime Warranty |
| Pump | Illumiflow 6000 GPH (#PB1748) — 6,000 GPH | 28.5 ft max head | 120V | 521W | 4.55A | 25-ft cord | hybrid drive | oil-free | 24-Month Warranty |
| Liner (basin) | PondGard 45-mil EPDM — 10'x10' — 20-year warranty |
| Liner (stream) | PondGard 45-mil EPDM — 10'x20' — both pieces included |
| Underliner | Protective non-woven geotextile (included) |
| Basin | Basin Matrix — 3 Large — 7.4 gal/cu ft (3x more than gravel) |
| Pipe | Black PVC Flex Pipe — 2"x25' |
| Treatment | 8 oz Pond Cleaner & Muck Buster |
| Origin | Made in the USA — Blue Thumb, family-run Midwest manufacturer |
The Illumiflow 6000 — Hybrid Pump Technology
The Illumiflow 6000 is the defining upgrade of the PB28KIT over smaller cascading falls kits. Where the PB1236 includes the ClearWater 4200 direct-drive pump (4,200 GPH, 330–630W, 18-month warranty), the PB28KIT's Illumiflow 6000 is a hybrid direct/magnetic drive pump — combining the high flow rates of a direct-drive with the energy efficiency of a magnetic drive. The result: 6,000 GPH of waterfall flow at 521W — versus a comparable direct-drive pump that might draw 700–900W for the same GPH output.
The Illumiflow's 25-ft power cord (vs. 16 ft on the ClearWater) gives more flexibility in routing to a GFCI outlet. The 28.5-ft maximum head height means the system handles tall waterfall elevations well. The 24-month warranty (vs. 18 months on the ClearWater) reflects Blue Thumb's confidence in the hybrid drive technology.
How the 28" Elite Spillway Works
The 28" Elite Spillway (PB2866) sits at the top of the waterfall installation, mounted to a leveled compacted base at the upper grade. Water enters the spillway box from the 2" PVC flex pipe connection, passes through an internal baffle system that diffuses the turbulent inflow across the full 28" width, and exits over the spillway lip as a uniform, glass-like water sheet. The internal baffles prevent "broken" or uneven water patterns that create gaps in the curtain — the result is a consistent, wide waterfall face even at varying flow rates.
The landscape lid on top of the spillway allows rock to be stacked directly over it, hiding the unit within the waterfall structure. Unlike the fully enclosed Cascade Falls Box in the PB1236, the 28" Elite Spillway is a more compact unit focused purely on even water distribution — appropriate for installations where the natural rock work provides the visual structure and the spillway remains hidden.
Elite Cascading Falls Series Comparison
| Kit | Spillway | Max Stream | Pump | Pump Warranty | Basin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB1229 Small | 14" | ~5 ft | 2,340 GPH ClearWater | 18 mo | 2 Sm. Basin Matrix |
| PB1236 Medium | 22" Cascade Box | ~15 ft | 4,200 GPH ClearWater | 18 mo | 3 Lg. Basin Matrix |
| PB28KIT (this kit) | 28" Spillway | ~15 ft | 6,000 GPH Illumiflow | 24 mo | 3 Lg. Basin Matrix |
| PBE30CFK Large | 30" Spillway | ~17 ft | 6,000 GPH Illumiflow | 24 mo | 3 Lg + 3 Sm. |
| PBE40CFK XL | 40" Spillway | ~18 ft | Illumiflow 6000 | 24 mo | 3 Lg + 3 Sm. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the Blue Thumb PB28KIT Elite 28" Kit?
Complete component list: 28" Elite Spillway (PB2866) — 28" width, 7,800 GPH max, internal baffles, landscape lid, Lifetime Warranty; Elite Pump Canyon — lifetime warranty, auto-fill spinweld; Illumiflow 6000 GPH Pump (#PB1748) — 6,000 GPH, 521W, 25-ft cord, hybrid direct/mag-drive, oil-free, 24-month warranty; PondGard 45-mil Rubber Liner — 10'x10' AND 10'x20' (both pieces included); Protective Underliner; Basin Matrix — 3 Large (7.4 gal/cu ft underground reservoir); Pump Discharge Assembly with check valve; Black PVC Flex Pipe 2"x25'; Installation Kit (black foam sealant, PVC glue); 8 oz Pond Cleaner & Muck Buster. Creates approximately 15-ft stream, 2–4 ft wide. Rocks and gravel not included.
How does the 28" Elite Spillway's baffle system create an even waterfall?
The 28" Elite Spillway (PB2866) contains internal baffles that diffuse the turbulent water entering the unit from the 2" pump line. As water enters under pressure from the Illumiflow 6000, the baffles slow and redistribute it evenly across the full 28" width before it flows over the weir lip. The result is a uniform water curtain across the entire spillway width — no gaps, no concentrated jets, no "broken" patterns.
The spillway's landscape lid allows rock and boulders to be stacked directly on top for natural concealment. Larger rocks and boulders can be placed on top of the spillway without structural concern. The spillway is rated for pump flows up to 7,800 GPH — the included Illumiflow 6000 GPH pump operates well within this range, providing visual headroom for future pump upgrades if desired.
What pump is included, and what is the recommended flow rate for the 28" spillway?
The PB28KIT includes the Blue Thumb Illumiflow 6000 GPH Pump (#PB1748) — a hybrid direct/magnetic drive submersible pump. It delivers 6,000 GPH maximum flow at 28.5 ft maximum head height, drawing 521W on 120V. The pump has a 25-ft power cord, 1.5" male threaded discharge, oil-free water-cooled design, thermal overload protection, and a removable fish-guard intake screen. It is backed by a 24-month limited warranty.
For the best visual impact on the 28" spillway, a flow rate between 4,000 and 6,000 GPH produces the optimal water curtain thickness. The Illumiflow 6000 at maximum output creates a full, bold sheet across the 28" width. At lower throttle settings (via the pump discharge assembly), you can dial in a thinner, more elegant waterfall. The spillway's maximum is 7,800 GPH — the included pump leaves room for a future pump upgrade if needed.
Can I stack large rocks directly on top of the Elite Spillway?
Yes. The 28" Elite Spillway is engineered for rock concealment — a landscape lid on top provides a flat surface for stone placement. Blue Thumb designs all Elite Spillway units to be completely hidden under rock work, creating a natural-looking waterfall where the mechanical unit is entirely invisible. You can stack boulders, gravel, and landscape stone directly on the lid. For very heavy boulder arrangements, ensure the soil base beneath the spillway is well-compacted and level — the spillway should not shift once the rock is in place.
Is the PB28KIT suitable for a disappearing pondless waterfall?
Yes — the PB28KIT is specifically designed for pondless (disappearing) waterfall applications. Water flows over the 28" spillway and runs down the rock waterfall and stream bed, disappearing through the rock cover into the hidden basin below. Three Large Basin Matrix boxes create the underground reservoir (7.4 gallons per cubic foot — over 3x the water storage of gravel in the same footprint). The Elite Pump Canyon houses the Illumiflow 6000 inside the basin, drawing water and recirculating it to the spillway continuously.
No standing water is visible from above. The Pump Canyon's auto-fill spinweld accepts the optional PB1342 auto-fill kit for automatic top-off of evaporation losses.
How do I winterize the PB28KIT in cold climates?
- Pump (Illumiflow 6000 — hybrid drive): Remove from the Pump Canyon vault. Rinse clean, drain completely, and store DRY indoors above freezing. The Illumiflow is an oil-free hybrid pump — do not leave submerged in water during winter, and do not store in a bucket of water.
- Basin: Without the pump running, the basin water level drops naturally. Remove residual water from the Pump Canyon and Basin Matrix area using a wet/dry vacuum if needed. Drain fully to prevent ice expansion against liner seams.
- Stream bed liner: Ensure no low points in the 10'x20' stream liner trap standing water. The 45-mil PondGard liner is frost-tolerant but pooled water at liner seam edges can stress seams through freeze-thaw cycles.
- Spillway: Drain completely. The 28" Elite Spillway handles freeze-thaw well when dry — cover with rock or a tarp to prevent water accumulation over winter.
Also Available in the Elite Cascading Falls Series
- PB1229 Small (14" spillway) — ~5-ft stream; 2,340 GPH
- PB1236 Medium (22" Cascade Falls Box) — ~15-ft stream; 4,200 GPH ClearWater pump
- PBE30CFK Large (30" spillway) — ~17-ft stream; 6,000 GPH Illumiflow; 3 Large + 3 Small Basin Matrix
- PBE40CFK Extra Large (40" spillway) — ~18-ft stream; maximum waterfall width
Blue Thumb PB28KIT Elite 28" Spillway Cascading Falls Kit: ~15-ft stream (2–4' wide). Includes 28" Elite Spillway (7,800 GPH max, lifetime warranty), Elite Pump Canyon (lifetime warranty), Illumiflow 6000 GPH hybrid pump (521W; 24-mo warranty), Basin Matrix 3 Large, PondGard liner 10'x10' + 10'x20', protective underliner, Pump Discharge Assembly + check valve, Black PVC Flex Pipe 2"x25', installation kit, Muck Buster. Made in USA. Rocks and gravel not included.
Comparing kit sizes or need help with waterfall design planning? Call or text (765) 508-4352 — Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST.
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