The Ecobed's walls are lined with 200um builders plastic. Its 2m wide which is just enough to cover the bottom of the tank and 250mm up each side. The ends of the sheet can be taken to the top of the end walls because I buy it in a 10m length. First I cut the plastic to the exact length required so its easier to handle (should be 3750mm, but its best to check). I then staple the middle of each end to the middle of each end wall (at the top). Next I pull all the creases out and run the sheet evenly up the side walls. I then staple the tops of the sheet all round the bed except in the corners. I fold the corners carefully and finish stapling as shown. Its important when folding corners to keep the edges of the sheet above the overflow level. This corner was not a good example and had to be re-folded. Can you see why?
A second layer of plastic is added for security. This gives me a water tank 250mm deep and covers the end walls to protect the timber from microbial attack and keeps the timber's preservatives out of the bed. The sides are each covered with an extra sheet of plastic so the timber does not come into contact with the soil. I am careful not to staple through the plastic below the overflow height. |
