We have a similar one with our vessel sink in the powder room. We like it alot--it's a neat feature to watch the water come down the chute. It's a 'Wow!' factor. It does work like a waterfall (nice stream of water) and you control the water pressure with how far you open the water lines coming into the faucet + the water control on the faucet itself. This helps control the splash factor. The water is in no way as "forceful" as the standard aerated faucets we are all used to--but then it doesn't have to be as it's not aerated. I noticed on the Delta site the tall single hole version is available in stainless--very similar to brushed nickel... Here is a link that might be useful: My Waterfall Delta Faucet

Replace the cartridge or o-rings etc. Which ever your faucet uses. Homeowner repair kits usually have the hex head wrenches you need to remove the handle. Silicone grease or vaseline should be applied to the new inserts when installed. The old cartridge etc. may have cracked or worn out seals.

Whichever way is the shortest with the least amount of fittings. The difference in elevation is going to decrease the volume regardless of how you go about getting up the hill.

I don't see where your water fall would spill from, although I suppose it doesn't really matter. If it fell onto that outcrop, it would give extra sounds although it would probably spill out the back so I suppose the fall is elsewhere. you never actually said how big the existing pipes are, but if they are 3/4 inch galvanized pipe, for example; that was probably too small for a regular modern waterfall anyway. I'm not sure that any of us is an expert on algae. I have a long stream and a skippy filter. Look skippy filter up. I am quite certain that my stream is my major filter. I get string algae, but find it generally useful. It doesn't cloud up the water; it just looks green. In my case, it is mostly in the stream. I occasionally remove it with a toilet brush to snag it, or just grab it by hand. People with the pea soup algae try all sorts of things and sometimes they work, and sometimes not. We occasionally have a poster named waterbug_guy. He has done lengthy study and believes that string algae fights off the single cell (pea soup type) algae. But of course, you have to have some to fight the other type. I think that there is general agreement that the UV tube device will kill free flowing algae. I have heard that the uv bulb needs replacement every year or so. You don't really need a filter without fish. Again: I never had a problem so am not much help and many who do, don't always get things solved. If it were me, I would go one step at a time and get a pump and flex tubing. First, I would quickly pump all the water out and clean the bowl with something and see if you can dry it out while installing your plumbing and spillway or whatever. Then I would fill and run it; scrounge up a few plants (hooked on or supported on something, or find a neighbor or store with a water lily to toss in the bottom) and see if algae forms. If you get pea soup that doesn't go away in a month, then get a UV tube thingie and see if that does the trick. You could look up 'trickle tower' as a filter device. It is a fairly new idea that I know nothing about. But again, I think it is more for preventing build up of ammonia or nitrates that can come from fish waste. No fish, no problem, I suspect.