Considering my first Waterbed
 

After 8 years on my current QS innerspring, and after decades of using other foam/innerspring beds, I am seriously considering a waterbed.

I would like to hear opinions of other users. I have been looking at "fibre" filled beds, of 2, 3, 4, and 5 layers. At first I liked the 2 layer, but then tried a 5, with lumbar support, and liked that more.
We even tried the "twin" bladder setup, with different grades in each.

Thanks to all in advance.

Oh, BTW, I weigh about 120Kilos, and the bride around 68kilos, if that matters.
DONT TELL ANYONE YOU KNOW THE WIFES WEIGHT!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:



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I had a waterbed when I was in highschool (more than 15 years ago). It was a reasonably comfortable sleep. You just had to keep it warm and not over or under fill it. If can be a bit tricky for some people getting in an out of them.


Personally I sleep much better on my current mattress.

They are a lot of trouble.

I recently purchased a Tempur Pedic (spelling?) bed. Man, I've never slept better in all my life. There are absolutely NO pressure points. You feel as if you are suspended in a cocoon. they can be a little pricy but amortize well as they have a warranty for 20 years.

I have had a a waterbed for about 10 years - brought it because of a bad back. It was a great buy, really nice and comfortable. Would recommend getting one, has been no trouble at all.

Do they still make waterbeds? I wouldn't know where to find one. The only one that I slept on was about 10 years ago and it was like being in a boat, very wavy. I know a lot has been done to reduce waves or even eliminate them, but what are the benefits anyway?

I had a waterbed for many years growing up. It was kind of unsettling at first, and like Charlatan mentioned, it can be a bit tricky getting in and out especially if someone else is sleeping with you.

If you have pets (unless you've taken the precaution of getting them de-clawed) you might as well forget it. Cats and dogs can do all sorts of damage if you aren't watching especially when the bed is bare like when you change the sheets and such. Not to mention the fact, (and it could just be because of where I live) it's almost impossible to find waterbed accessories locally. Wal*Mart carries the patch kits, but their stock is sporadic at best.

Arc, a friend of mine has a Tempur-pedic and it's just about the coolest thing I've ever slept on. When it comes time to replace my bed, it will probably be replaced with a tempur-pedic.

I have had a floatation bed, that was a mattress with seven watertubes inside, I was not thrilled with it. I don't even know if they still make them.
I have had a water bed, it was comfortable enough, but I hated to make it, my hands still have scars from trying to pick up those damn corners to get the sheet under there, remember, water weighs alot! Also, you have to put a mattress pad on it, plastic makes the body sweat, and don't ever forget to have the heater on, there is no sleeping on a cold waterbed, and you have to remember to put the water conditioner in, you don't want the water to get smelly or moldy, and you do have to add water to the mattress ever once in a while, and you have to make sure you put the water in the mattress evenly or you will have a lumpy waterbed, and as long as you get all the air bubbles out, you should have a perfect waterbed, nothing to it.
I kept my waterbed, I did though, get rid of the mattress. I bought a sear's ortho pedic with the pillow top, man, you talk about one hell of a mattress, I have never slept better in my life, and anytime one of my friends comes over and we go into my room to look at my new shoes or clothes, they never sit in the chair anymore, they jump up on my bed, and 80% of the time they will fall asleep, no kidding. I have had people ask me if they could come take a nap on my bed, I tell them to buy one of their own, this isn't a bed and breakfast, after all!

The most uncomfortable night I've ever spent in a bed was in an unheated waterbed. I nearly turned into a human icicle.

That having been said, I lived with an aunt my first few months in college and slept on a waterbed. It was fairly comfortable, but I prefer regular mattresses. Good luck on whatever you decide to do, though!

Too, too true. Your waterbed will probably come with some kind of liner to keep leaks from becoming disastrous; but the potential is there.

Your weight may be a concern for your cervical spine area (neck).
If you have any lower back sensitivity at any time then a waterbed may make exiting rather hazardous. This can be partly helped by making the bed foundations higher.

Most bodies love change.
It will take ~3-7 days for you to get a "true" idea of spinal comfort on any bed. Except those cases (e.g. bed of nails) where in 5min you know its not for you.
The dual dampened bladder is an excellent choice with the differing bodyweights of your partner and yourself.

Finally, they seem very out of favour (in AU at least), a point to consider if reselling.

Along with MsNobody, I had the mattress frame filled with 5 water tubes. I liked it in that it was more fluid than a mattress, but with less of the hassle of a full free flowing waterbed. I had the bed for about 6 years before the tubes leaked and rusted through.

You are lucky you didn't get a kidney infection...

When I got married and moved into a waterbed I found it very hard to adjust to, as not being used to sharing a bed would have been enough but then with the waterbed if he moved I was bounced out, or at least against the boards. Not fun. Also, I found my arms would often be numb when I woke up. Well, the mattress sprung a leak when we were trying to move it and we got a pocket coil mattress, and I sleep sooooo much better!!!
With the weight difference between you two you would definitely need some kind of system where the water doesn't move much. Also, we slept on a waterbed somewhere where instead of a wooden frame around the mattress it was like the bladder was inside a regular mattress. I still got bounced around when my SO rolled over but atleast there were no boards to hit and it was much easier to get out of. Hope that gives you some ideas.

My mom says they're good for pregnant ladies.

If you live in a flat you might need to check the terms of the lease: most apartments in the US do not allow waterbeds or require you to buy insurance.

Firget the waterbed, it's not worth it.

A lot of ppl say I look pregnant! :hmm: :hmm:


And no, its a single story house. Brick walls, concrete floors and clay tiles to keep the rain out.


Thanks to all for all your comments....

Z

Another vote for the Tempur Pedic bed. You don't even have to rotate the mattress, it is care-free. It isn't as expensive as you might think; as I recall, it is about the same as a high-quality regular mattress. Also, there is zero transfer of movement across the bed, in case one of you is a light sleeper.

If you have pets you can get a soft-side water bed. I have one, it's kind of like having a pillowtop wrapping for the bladder. I'll also second the comment about lowerback pain and water beds, they make it a lot harder to move around when you have a flair up of pain..... I have to sleep on the couch when I pull my lower back.

In Oz, the Tempur retails at around $2500.00 for the top of the range, queen size.
The same level in a softside water bed (queen) is 1400 buck.

Make sure you put it at the right temperature! or else it can get really cold, or even really hot.

And the difference is worth every penny! They even let you have it in your home for four months and still turn it back in. The only thing they keep is the $159 delivery/sett up charge. Plus, with that charge, they take away your old matress. And You won't want to send it back, otherwise, it wouldn't be worth it to them to offer a four month trial run!!

Cold can cause kidney infections??? I never knew that!

waterbeds are kind of 1970's arent they. I had one, and found them uncomfortable. Almost like being on a boat. Mine was in constant motion and either too hot or too cold.