EcoBlox - Water Matrix from Atlantic Water Gardens
EcoBlox - Water Matrix from Atlantic Water Gardens
Atlantic Eco-Blox are modular underground water-storage blocks that replace traditional gravel-filled reservoirs in pondless waterfall, rainwater harvesting, and stormwater management systems. Each block is an 8-panel interlocking assembly with 96% void space — so far more of the excavated volume is available for water storage, and the basin uses less soil excavation, less labor, and less time than a gravel-fill equivalent.
Eco-Blox are available in two sizes. Pick based on your basin depth, access clearance, and water-volume target. Blocks from both sizes can be mixed in the same reservoir.
Size Comparison
| Standard Eco-Blox (ECOBLOX) | Small Eco-Blox (ECOBLOX-SMALL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (assembled) | 27" L × 16" W × 16" H | 27" L × 16" W × 8" H |
| Water capacity | 31.5 gallons | Approximately half of Standard (~16 gallons) |
| Shipping weight | ~19 lb per block | ~10 lb per block |
| Construction | 8 interlocking panels | 8 interlocking panels |
| Load rating | Up to 7 tons distributed load; HS-20 compliant (AASHTO), tested to 15,000+ lbs before failure | |
| Foot-traffic coverage | 3" gravel layer over the top panel is sufficient for distributed foot traffic | |
Which Size Should I Use?
- Standard Eco-Blox — 16" height is the efficient choice for most pondless waterfall basins. Typical pondless-waterfall basin builds stack 8-16 Standard blocks in a grid pattern under the liner. Use Standard for full-depth basins where you have room to excavate 18"+ deep.
- Small Eco-Blox — 8" height (half the vertical dimension of Standard) is the right choice for shallow basins, tight-access installs, corner fills around Standard block arrangements, small pondless features, and builds where shallower excavation is preferable. Same 27" × 16" footprint as Standard so blocks nest cleanly with Standard units.
Key Features
- 96% void space — far more water storage per cubic foot of excavation than gravel fill
- Slide-lock panel assembly — tool-free on-site construction, even in cold or wet conditions
- HS-20 compliant load rating (AASHTO standard) with 200% safety factor; tested over 15,000 lbs before failure
- Supports pavers, gravel, and sod directly over the reservoir for full landscaping flexibility
- Modular — arrange blocks in any configuration, any number of levels, to fit nearly any basin footprint
- Excellent for bog filters and settlement chambers beneath natural plantings
- Approximately 8-16 Standard blocks make up a typical residential pondless basin (varies by pump size and waterfall design)
Installation Requirements
- Install on a level, firmly tamped base — uneven base allows blocks to shift under load
- Requires an impermeable liner (typically 45mil EPDM) with underlayment above and below
- Orient blocks so the top panel is parallel to ground (top-panel-up) — do not set on end or side
- Add a 3" gravel layer over the top panel before any foot traffic
Documentation
Eco-Blox Installation Manual (PDF) — covers both Standard and Small assembly steps, load ratings, and installation specifications
Warranty
Atlantic Eco-Blox carry a one-year manufacturer warranty to the original purchaser from the date of purchase. The warranty excludes labor or cost of labor for removal or reinstallation.