I've noticed that a lot of people are recommending that that pump and airstone that comes with it should be shut off. im wondering what the difference between keeping your own air stone and pump going opposed to using the one that comes with the aerogarden

I think what you mean is that they are turning there pump off once the roots reach the water. At that point, there is no need for the pump...or any pump for that matter, as roots can easily get sucked into the AG pump. As for airstones, you need more aeration than the AG can provide, thats why people always have airstones in there.

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I don't under stand how an airstone is different than what comes with the aerogarden. they both have a pump that brings air into an airstone that brings air into the reservoir.

It's not any different, but more is better. I have two airpumps each with their own 4 inch airstone in my AG. The more O2 in the water, the healthier the plant, less chance of disease like root rot, better uptake of nutrients....

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then why turn off the aerogarden pump? I have a 5 inch air stone and the aerogarden one repositioned. the water is moving a lot, lots of bubbles ahaha. I've just read several posts that say to turn off the aerogarden stone and pump but it seems to do the same as the air stone I purchased.

still wondering why im supposed to turn it off it seems to be helping.. I only fill my aerogarden about half full so my sponges don't seem to be over wet no mold or anything..but even if I did turn it off the air stone would still bubble the water and wet the sponges...

The pump in the A/G is a water pump and as far as I know it stays on as long as the A/G is plugged in. It may cycle with the lights but I'm usually asleep then so I wouldn't know. The one that feeds the air stone is an external aquarium air pump and the only thing I use it for is to oxygenate my nutrient solution. I cycle it off at two hour intervals to give me a chance to do a little maintenance and give it a rest. I mean how much do you expect for something I paid six bucks for at Wal-Mart? I guess we all have our quirks, but it works for me. Hank

the aerogarden has a built in water pump that you need to turn off once the root hits the water then it works as a straw and sucks up the nute water the air pump and stone is amazing and a magic worker it keeps your nutes mix and it add more O2 which in return brings you happy plants : ) good luck with your grow

Turns out that I have a model of the aerogarden that only has a pump with an airstone and I don't need to turn anything off. Thanks for the help guys

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