Matala BioSteps Plus W Kit – Pond Filter with Waterfall for Ponds up to 2,000 Gallons

The Matala BioSteps Plus W Kit (SKU 31351) bundles Matala’s BioSteps 10 gravity filter with the Magna-Flow 1100 EZ submersible pump, an 11.25” waterfall spillway, 25 ft of 3/4” kink-free tubing, and all connectors in a single ready-to-install package. Designed for water garden ponds up to 2,700 gallons (or koi ponds up to 1,350 gallons), it delivers professional-grade biological and mechanical filtration through six Matala filter mats in a progressive density cascade, while adding a natural waterfall return that increases surface oxygen levels. The system is gravity-fed: the pump pushes water up into the filter housing, water flows through the six Matala mats at an ideal rate of 800–900 GPH, then gravity returns the filtered water through the waterfall spillway back to the pond. The included diverter valve fine-tunes the flow through the filter and can redirect flow to a separate jet or fountain feature. ⚠ Important pump sizing note: The BioSteps filter operates optimally at 800–900 GPH. The included Magna-Flow 1100 EZ pump is specifically chosen to deliver this flow rate at typical installation head heights. Do NOT install a larger pump expecting better filtration — overdriving the filter reduces contact time and degrades water quality. Use the included pump or a comparable pump delivering 800–1,100 GPH at your installation head height. 2,700 Gal (WG) / 1,350 Gal (Koi) Magna-Flow 1100 EZ Pump 800–900 GPH Filter Flow 11.25” Waterfall Spillway 6 Matala Mats (Prog. Density) 200 sq ft Surface Area 25 ft 3/4” Tubing Included 📦 What’s Included in the BioSteps Plus W Kit (31351) BioSteps 10 Filter — gravity-flow biological + mechanical filter with sloped bottom and drain plug Waterfall Spillway — 11.25” wide weir attachment; connects to filter discharge port Magna-Flow 1100 EZ Submersible Pump (MF-1100EZ) — max 1,100 GPH; ~900 GPH at 3 ft head EZBio 11 Plus Prefilter — 4”D × 8”L green coarse mesh sleeve; fits around pump; protects pump from large debris while passing fine particles to filter 6 Matala Filter Mats — 2 Green (coarse) + 2 Blue (medium) + 2 Gray (fine) — progressive density filtration Diverter Valve — fine-tunes flow through the filter; can also divert flow to a separate jet or fountain 25 ft × 3/4” kink-free tubing with 2 hose clamps Swivel inlet fitting with barb sizes 3/4”, 1”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2” All connectors and plumbing hardware for complete installation Installation and operation manual Optional upgrades not included: 16W EZClear UV Clarifier (sold separately). UV Clarifier can be added at any time by mounting inside the BioSteps housing. Key Features & Benefits 🪜 Progressive Density Filtration Six Matala mats in a staircase arrangement — green (coarsest) → blue → gray (finest) — capture large solids first to protect finer media, maximizing contact time and biological surface area throughout the entire filter volume. 🧬 200 sq ft of Bacterial Surface Area The BioSteps-II filter provides 200 square feet of colonizable surface area for nitrifying bacteria — the bacteria that convert toxic ammonia and nitrite into safer nitrate. This is the primary mechanism for keeping koi and fish water biologically healthy. 💧 Gravity Return + Waterfall Aeration Filtered water returns to the pond via the 11.25” waterfall spillway under gravity — no pressure required at the outlet. The waterfall cascade provides additional oxygen infusion at the surface, supplementing biological filtration with natural aeration. 🔀 Diverter Valve Included The included diverter valve allows precise adjustment of the flow rate through the filter, and can also divert a portion of flow to a separate jet or fountain feature — giving your water feature more flexibility without additional plumbing. 🧹 Easy Backwash Maintenance The sloped tank bottom channels sediment toward the sludge drain plug for simple backwash cleaning. Rinse the Matala mats in pond water (not chlorinated tap water) to preserve the established bacterial colony. Optional drain valve sold separately for plumbed backwash. 🔋 UV Ready The BioSteps housing is designed to accept the optional 16W EZClear UV Clarifier, which mounts directly inside the filter. Add UV capability later without replacing any plumbing — simply insert the UV unit into the existing housing. Technical Specifications Specification Value SKU / MPN 31351 / BSTP-Plus-WF Max Pond Size (Water Garden) Up to 2,700 gallons Max Pond Size (Koi Pond) Up to 1,350 gallons Filter Operating Flow 800–900 GPH (ideal through-filter design flow) Included Pump Magna-Flow 1100 EZ (MF-1100EZ) — max 1,100 GPH / ~900 GPH at 3 ft head Pump Type Mag-drive submersible Pump Cord 18 ft, 16 gauge, 110V, 3-prong grounded plug Prefilter EZBio 11 Plus — 4”D × 8”L green coarse mesh (fits around pump) Filter Mats 6 Matala mats: 2 Green (coarse) + 2 Blue (medium) + 2 Gray (fine) Biological Surface Area 200 sq ft Filter Body Dimensions Approx. 20”L × 15”W × 23”H Waterfall Spillway Width 11.25” (11-1/4”) weir | max ~1,000 GPH Tubing 25 ft × 3/4” kink-free (with 2 hose clamps) Inlet Fitting Swivel with barbs: 3/4”, 1”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2” Outlet Fitting 1.5” or 2” pipe connection Drain Sloped bottom + sludge drain plug; optional drain valve sold separately UV Upgrade Accepts optional 16W EZClear UV Clarifier (sold separately) Tank Material Automotive grade plastic Filtration Type Biological + Mechanical (gravity-flow) Frequently Asked Questions What is included in the Matala BioSteps Plus W Kit? The BioSteps Plus W Kit (SKU 31351) includes: BioSteps 10 Filter housing with 6 Matala filter mats (2 Green, 2 Blue, 2 Gray) 11.25” waterfall spillway attachment Magna-Flow 1100 EZ submersible pump with EZBio 11 Plus Prefilter Diverter valve for flow control 25 ft × 3/4” kink-free tubing with 2 hose clamps Swivel inlet fitting (3/4”, 1”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2” barbs) All connectors and hardware for complete installation The optional 16W EZClear UV Clarifier is NOT included but can be added later inside the filter housing without any plumbing changes. What is the maximum pond size for this system? The BioSteps Plus W Kit is rated for water garden ponds up to 2,700 gallons. For koi ponds with higher biological waste loads, it is appropriate for systems up to 1,350 gallons to ensure adequate nitrification and water clarity. For larger ponds or heavier fish loads, consider a larger filtration system or adding a UV clarifier to the kit. How does Progressive Density filtration improve water clarity? The BioSteps filter contains six Matala filter mats in three densities: 2 Green (coarse, open) + 2 Blue (medium density) + 2 Gray (fine). Water flows through from coarsest to finest in a step-wise cascade: Green mats capture larger solids (leaves, algae clumps) first, preventing them from clogging the finer mats Blue mats capture medium particulates Gray mats provide fine mechanical filtration and maximum surface area for beneficial bacteria Combined, the six mats provide over 200 square feet of surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize — the biological powerhouse that converts toxic ammonia into safer compounds. Is the Magna-Flow 1100 pump energy efficient? Yes. The Magna-Flow 1100 EZ is a mag-drive submersible pump — a design that uses a magnetic impeller with no mechanical seal, making it reliable and relatively energy-efficient for its flow class. It delivers up to 1,100 GPH at zero head and approximately 900 GPH at 3 feet of head, which is the ideal flow rate through the BioSteps filter. The 18 ft power cord on an 110V, 16-gauge connection draws relatively low wattage for continuous 24/7 operation. How do I clean the BioSteps Plus W Kit safely? To clean the filter without disrupting the bacterial colony: Remove the Matala mats one at a time and rinse in a bucket of pond water (never chlorinated tap water — chlorine kills the beneficial bacteria) For sludge removal, open the sludge drain plug at the bottom of the filter to backwash sediment out The sloped filter floor channels waste toward the drain for efficient removal Rinse the EZBio 11 Plus Prefilter on the pump with pond water when flow decreases For deeper cleaning, the optional drain valve (sold separately) allows a fully plumbed backwash without removing the filter housing Why Buy from Pond Pro Direct? Authentic Matala products with full manufacturer support Expert pond system sizing — call or text (765) 508-4352, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm EST Free shipping on all orders Price match guarantee on identical products 30-day return period on eligible items