WaterUps® Informa�on Sheet

Construc�ng aWaterUps® �mber wicking bed

Ironwood® Sienna treated pine sleepers make a great raised bed for your WaterUps®wicking system. They are extremely sturdy, long las�ng and are specified as safe foruse in sensi�ve areas such as vegetable gardens. You can also build a bed to almostany dimension. They are, however, very heavy and for this reason are best built on site.

Draw up a planMeasure the space where you intend toconstruct your �mber bed and considerthe following points when drawing upyour plan:

1. Your bed will need to be constructedon a completely level base –determine this with a spirit level.

2. For your bed design, the internaldimensions should ideally be inmul�ples of 400mm (the width of 1WaterUps® cell). This avoids the needto cut the cells. If you do, however,want a dimension that is a mul�pleof 200mm, then this will work as youcan cut a cell in in half with a saw.

3. A�er working out the length andwidth, add an extra 10mm to each toallow for the pond liner. For example,if you had decided on a bed 2.4m x1.2m then your internal dimensionswould be 2410mm x 1210mm.

4. After you have decided on the optimalinternal dimensions for your bed,remember that you need to makeallowance for the thickness of thesleepers (50mm) and the supports(50mm). This will impact the externaldimensions that you will need.

5. For the supports/caps you needto decide whether these are bestlocated on the long or the short sideof the bed.

6. Determine the amount of �mber thatyou need – refer sec�on below oncu�ng the sleepers.

7. Next, you will need to decide whereto locate the overflow pipe – eitheron the long side or the short side.

Cu�ng the sleepersThe most important thing to considerbefore cu�ng your sleepers is thedimensions of your bed and on which

sides you have decided to locate thesupports. This will determine the lengthsthat you you will need to cut the longand short sides.

Figure 1 shows the loca�on of thesupports/caps on the (long) sides ofour 2400mm x 1200mm (internaldimensions) bed.

With the supports/caps on the long sidethis means that you will need to cut thesleepers into the following lengths:

1. 4 x 2510mm (long sides). Note: thisis 100mm longer than the internaldimensions (plus 10mm allowancefor the pond liner).

2. 4 x 1210mm (short sides).

3. 4 x 400mm (supports/caps).

Drilling holes for the screwsand the overflow pipe1. On the 200mm side of each of the

4 x 2510mm sleepers, drill 2 x holescentred (ie. 25mm in from the topand the bo�om) and 50mm in fromthe end. Drill these all the way

through. Refer to Figure 1 and thephoto above.

2. On the 4 supports/caps, drill 4 holes(all the way through). The holesshould be located 100mm in fromthe ends and 25mm in from thesides. Refer photo at the top ofpage 2.

3. If you have decided to locate theoverflow pipe on the 1200mm(short) side, then the loca�on ofyour overflow pipe should be

Figure 1.

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Published: 20 February 2020

420mm in from the end of one ofyour 1210mm lengths and 120mmup from the bo�om. Drill as follows:

• Use the 5.5mm drill bit to drill asmall hole; and

• Then use the 24mm speed boreor hole saw to drill the hole forthe overflow pipe.

Preparing the base forthe bed1. Ensure that the base of the bed

is level.

2. It is o�en beneficial to lay downsome Corflute sheet to provide a

perfectly even base. This will alsoprotect the underside of the �mbersleepers and the pond liner.

Assembling the bedIt is now �me to start pu�ng your raised�mber bed together.

1. Lay the 2 x 2510mm (long) lengths inposi�on. Then, take 2 x 1210mm endpieces and place them in posi�on.Use your spirit level to double checkthat the bed is located on a levelsurface. Insert the Bugel head screwsinto the pre-drilled holes on the longsec�ons and screw the base together.

2. This is probably a good �me to checkthe posi�on of the overflow pipe.

3. Do the same with the other 2510mmand 1210mm sleepers and then placeon top.

4. Take the 4 x support/cap pieces andscrew where you have pre-drilled.

You have now completed the �mberframe and your bed should look similarto the photo at the photo at the top ofthe next column.

Adding the Pond Liner1. Before adding the pond liner, lay it

out flat and cut to make sure thatyour liner measures as follows:

• Long side: 3200mm

• Short side: 2000mm

2. Next measure and mark where to cutout the circle for the over flow pipe.This should be on the short side asfollows:

• 820mm in from the side and up520mm from the bo�om;

• trace the outline of the overflowpipe around the marked posi�on;

• Before cu�ng the hole place thepond liner into the bed to ensurethat you have marked the posi�onof the hole correctly;

• Cut out the circle.

3. Add the pond liner so that it coversthe en�re base and and all internalwalls. You should have sufficient linerto reach the top of the bed.

4. On the corners take care to fold thepond liner diagonally to ensure thatit sits neatly to the edge of the baseand up the wall. You can tack orstaple the folded edges in place tomake it easier to posi�on the restof the liner and the cells.

Adding theWaterUps® cellsNext add the WaterUps® cell with theoverflow pipe and place it in posi�on.

Then add the rest of the cells includingthe one for the inlet pipe. On that cellcut out the circle for the inlet pipe andinsert it by aligning the 3 lugs at the baseof the pipe with the holes in the cell.

Final stepsNow fill the 4 wicks of each cell withperlite and then add your po�ng mix,compost and plants.

Mark the bo�om so that you willknowwhich way the sleeper shouldsit when you go to install it.

QUICK TIP

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