Description
Power-free watering for raised beds and allotment plots
The AutoPot AQUAbox Spyder waters a raised bed or plot from below, automatically, for days or weeks at a time. The box is buried in the bed and its capillary matting runs out like spider legs under the soil; inside sits an AQUAvalve5, which meters water out to the matting only as the soil dries, so roots draw up moisture where they need it with nothing lost to run-off or evaporation. It needs no electricity, pumps, timers or mains water – just a gravity feed from a water butt or reservoir – which makes it ideal for weekends away, holidays and allotments without a tap. One Spyder irrigates an area of about 1m x 1m, and liquid feed can be added to the reservoir too. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society and made in the UK from recycled plastics.
What's Included
- AQUAbox Spyder body with AQUAvalve5
- 6m of AQUAbox Spyder capillary matting
- 2m of 9mm pipe, 16mm-9mm click-fit adapter and filter, 9mm golf filter, 9mm in-line tap, 9mm tee and 2 x 9mm top hat grommets
- Circular spirit level and full instructions
Key Benefits
- Waters below the surface: buried matting keeps moisture at the roots, with no wet foliage
- Plant-controlled: the AQUAvalve5 only lets water in as the bed dries
- No power, pumps or mains water: gravity-fed from any water butt or tank
- Zero waste: no run-off and little evaporation
- Feeds as well as waters: add liquid feed to the reservoir
How to Use
- Dig the box in near the centre of the bed and use the spirit level to set it level.
- Lay the capillary matting out from the box in strips under the soil surface, then backfill.
- Connect a reservoir with its outlet at least 15 cm above the box, using the click-fit filter, pipe and tap.
- Open the tap and keep the reservoir topped up – the valve does the rest.
Technical Specifications
- Coverage: up to about 1m x 1m per AQUAbox Spyder
- Body size: 200 x 205 mm
- Valve: AQUAvalve5
- Matting: 6m of capillary matting
- Pipework: 2m of 9mm pipe with click-fit filter, tap and fittings
- Reservoir: not included - connect a water butt or tank
- Endorsement: Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) endorsed
- Power: none required
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it come with a water butt?
No - you need a reservoir such as a water butt or FlexiTank, with its outlet at least 15 cm above the AQUAbox. The click-fit filter, pipe and tap to connect it are included.
How big an area does one Spyder water?
About 1m x 1m. For a longer bed, use more than one AQUAbox fed from the same reservoir with extra 9mm pipe and tees.
Does it need any looking after?
Very little. Turn it off at the in-line tap during long spells of rain, clean the AQUAvalve5 in warm soapy water at the end of the season, and AutoPot recommend fresh capillary matting every year.
Works Well With
