AeroGarden Guide *NEW AND IMPROVED*

I built a double tub drip eb and flow system here is the break down of the cost. the problem with the stealth hydro is the fact it lets in way too much light
2- black tubs 20 gallon 10.00 each walmart. I had these allready as storage tubs so no out of pocket money for them
1- pump, 34.99 walmart
1- roll of 3/8 inch black hose 5.99 walmart
2- 1/2 to 3/8 inch t fittings. .99 ea
1- male to male 1/2 inch fitting 2.00 hyrdo shop
2- i inch to 1/2 inch drain fittings 2.00 each hydro shop
3- 1/2 inch 90 deg male to male fittings. 1.00 each hydro shop
4 ft of black 1/2 inch hose 2.00 from hydro shop
2ft of blue algie resistant hose. 1.00 from hydro shop
1- timer 15 min intervals 24 hour timer. 25.00 from hydro shop
1- 10 lb bag perilite 10.00 hydro shop
so just for the tubs thats 110.00 if you use just one and build the one from the website you wont need as many fittings but will need air stones and air pump so its pretty much the same cost.
Then you have all the lights you need I have spent 150.00 just in lighting using cfls and have a shit load of them combining day light and soft for full spectrum. here is break down on lights.

I use
7- clamp style bulb holders 10.00 each at walmart the big ones.
4- double light adapters so each holder can hold 2 lights ( the adapter screws in to the socket and holds 2 bulbs) 3.00 each
4-OTT-Lite 20w cfl found at home depot in the grow light section of the cfls. expensive 5.00 each
4- soft white 20w cfls from home depot, i got these in a 4 pack on sale for 10.00
3- 40w soft white cfls ( these are too big to fit double in the holders) if you take the ficture out of the hood you can double them up. 8.00 each walmart
2- simple 12 hour light timers 3.00 each walmart or home depot.
146.00 in lighting and this is still really not enough lighting for what i want.

for my grow tent i got a 20x20 ft blue and silver tarp from wal mart and hung it up with wires. i spent about 20.00 on the tarp like 3 years ago i think.

ventalation, lol i used a 10" fan i found at wal-mart on sale 5.00 and a blue wash bucket from my wifes laundry room cut the bottom out and the fan fit perfect in side the top duck taped the hell out of it and it moves more than enough air for my tent.
on top of all that you need nuets i use fox farm and got the treo pack for 189.00 plus the solubale pack for 89.00 cloning gel was like 24.00 and ph strips cost about 10.00
so in comparisom its a good deal for the stealth hydro set up but the color of the tubs and the large holes in top worry me about light passing to roots.

As a standard, 6500K is used for veg, while 2700K is used for flowering
During the vegetative phase, the plant requires more of the blue spectrum of light. During the flowering phase, the plant requires more of the red spectrum of light
The higher the number, the more blue spectrum that bulb emits. The lower the number, the more red spectrum that bulb emits.

the higher the number the more blue spectrum which is used in veg stage and red in flowering, so why do you suggest using a high number 27000 in the flowering stage when it has more blue spectrum used for vegging?

jesus of Cannabis said:

As a standard, 6500K is used for veg, while 2700K is used for flowering
During the vegetative phase, the plant requires more of the blue spectrum of light. During the flowering phase, the plant requires more of the red spectrum of light
The higher the number, the more blue spectrum that bulb emits. The lower the number, the more red spectrum that bulb emits.

the higher the number the more blue spectrum which is used in veg stage and red in flowering, so why do you suggest using a high number 27000 in the flowering stage when it has more blue spectrum used for vegging?

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You got 1 to many 0 in there.

6500k=Blue Spectrum=Best for Veg
2700k=Red Spectrum=Best for Flower

So what water is best for the Aerogarden, distilled or spring? I'm going to start a grow and after reading so many forums I think I'm going to try an autoflowering strain from attitude. Also, does the paper towel in 2 plates guarantee germination? Anybody unsuccessful when trying this germination process?

any will work fine as long as you keep the pH in line

I've never grown much of anything before, let alone marijuana & I'd like some advice. I've had an aerograden deluxe (7 pods) for a while now, never used though, but would like to now try it out. I have zero money to buy all the "extra stuff" listed in many of the posts here & plan on just using some bagseeds I have sitting around - no idea what kind they are. I'm just growing this for own personal use so I don't need a lot & plan on setting the aerogarden up in my bedroom closet - very small, under stairs. My question is, is all that extra stuff really necessary? I mean at the end of the day we are talking about a weed here, it can't be that hard to grow? Can't I just use the aerogarden straight out of the box using the accessories that are included (nutrients tablets, standard light bulbs, built in program settings)? I understand about germinating the seeds first - paper towel method, before "planting" them in the provided pods, keeping paper covers on (obviously taking the herb seeds out first), how many pods should I use at one time to plant? ... then what setting should I use? - Some say tomato, some herb/basil, some salad greens, others? Don't the pre-programmed settings the machine comes with take care of the light/dark cycle & pump cycle? I don't see the need for buying a seperate timer for that stuff, also I work from home - so I'm home all day, not a big deal for me to go to the closet to turn lights on/off, close the closet door & lay a towel down if needed to block out all light. Also I am worried about my electricity bill, how much does the aerogarden cost running 20/18/12 hours a day? - I live with roommates who I don't want to know what I'm doing (they are greedy). Also the heat issue, I don't know how much heat the machine & plant will put out but I read that you should keep the temp under 80F. I live in MI so it's not really that warm to begin with but I don't know how the small closet space would effect the temp? Anyway any other info about growing you can give me would be great. Also any info on how to harvest & dry weed to be able to "use it". Thanks.

Well you can use the AG straight up if you want, but you might not get that much at the end. But if your short on space and room i guess you could give it a try. I would only do about 3 plants max, make sure you do the paper towel method, the AG can germ seeds, but the paper towel is basically the safer way, so your not just sitting there waiting on the AG to sprout your seeds. Any setting will be fine, just see how much the lights are on and off, to veg, you can go with 20/4, 24/0, or 18/6. it shouldn't really cost anything to run the AG, and the temps should be fine.

dianammc said:

I've never grown much of anything before, let alone marijuana & I'd like some advice. I've had an aerograden deluxe (7 pods) for a while now, never used though, but would like to now try it out. I have zero money to buy all the "extra stuff" listed in many of the posts here & plan on just using some bagseeds I have sitting around - no idea what kind they are. I'm just growing this for own personal use so I don't need a lot & plan on setting the aerogarden up in my bedroom closet - very small, under stairs. My question is, is all that extra stuff really necessary? I mean at the end of the day we are talking about a weed here, it can't be that hard to grow? Can't I just use the aerogarden straight out of the box using the accessories that are included (nutrients tablets, standard light bulbs, built in program settings)? I understand about germinating the seeds first - paper towel method, before "planting" them in the provided pods, keeping paper covers on (obviously taking the herb seeds out first), how many pods should I use at one time to plant? ... then what setting should I use? - Some say tomato, some herb/basil, some salad greens, others? Don't the pre-programmed settings the machine comes with take care of the light/dark cycle & pump cycle? I don't see the need for buying a seperate timer for that stuff, also I work from home - so I'm home all day, not a big deal for me to go to the closet to turn lights on/off, close the closet door & lay a towel down if needed to block out all light. Also I am worried about my electricity bill, how much does the aerogarden cost running 20/18/12 hours a day? - I live with roommates who I don't want to know what I'm doing (they are greedy). Also the heat issue, I don't know how much heat the machine & plant will put out but I read that you should keep the temp under 80F. I live in MI so it's not really that warm to begin with but I don't know how the small closet space would effect the temp? Anyway any other info about growing you can give me would be great. Also any info on how to harvest & dry weed to be able to "use it". Thanks.

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If you don't plan for ODOR CONTROL you're roomates will smell the grow. just a thought, GOOD LUCK.

[QUOTE="SICC";4063908]Well you can use the AG straight up if you want, but you might not get that much at the end. But if your short on space and room i guess you could give it a try. I would only do about 3 plants max, make sure you do the paper towel method, the AG can germ seeds, but the paper towel is basically the safer way, so your not just sitting there waiting on the AG to sprout your seeds. Any setting will be fine, just see how much the lights are on and off, to veg, you can go with 20/4, 24/0, or 18/6. it shouldn't really cost anything to run the AG, and the temps should be fine.[/QUOTE]

This is actually what I came here to find out. SICC, you're one of the more active members and seem pretty knowledgeable so I'd love to hear your imput.

Just got my AG and am now wondering why I got all this extra stuff...?

Airpump & stone - The AG has a pump, no?
Timer for lights - Mine says it has a built-in timer and can be set to run 24hrs.

I guess I'm just really confused at this point, I mean, is the AG actually going to be on? Am I going to be running the AG pump along with my external pump & stone?

Sorry if this sounds really dumb, but if anyone can clear this up I would really appreciate it.

You dont need the AG air pump, the external air pump and air stone you got will do MUCH better, its all benficial.
Your need the timer because you will need more light then just the stalk AG bulbs, yes they work, but you wont get that good of results with only those lights. the more more light the better.

Oh okay, thanks for the response.

So I'll be plugging in my additional lights into the timer and just let the AG go on it's own lighting schedule?

I've got seeds germinating right now and hope to be able to plant something on Weds. Should I just select tomatoes/peppers and let it do it's thing?

When you get the fig 8 cord, you plug that with your extra lights to the timer.
but right now you can just leave the AG on its 24 hour light schedule then set up your extra lights later when your seedling get older.

dianammc said:

I've never grown much of anything before, let alone marijuana & I'd like some advice. I've had an aerograden deluxe (7 pods) for a while now, never used though, but would like to now try it out. I have zero money to buy all the "extra stuff" listed in many of the posts here & plan on just using some bagseeds I have sitting around - no idea what kind they are. I'm just growing this for own personal use so I don't need a lot & plan on setting the aerogarden up in my bedroom closet - very small, under stairs. My question is, is all that extra stuff really necessary? I mean at the end of the day we are talking about a weed here, it can't be that hard to grow? Can't I just use the aerogarden straight out of the box using the accessories that are included (nutrients tablets, standard light bulbs, built in program settings)? I understand about germinating the seeds first - paper towel method, before "planting" them in the provided pods, keeping paper covers on (obviously taking the herb seeds out first), how many pods should I use at one time to plant? ... then what setting should I use? - Some say tomato, some herb/basil, some salad greens, others? Don't the pre-programmed settings the machine comes with take care of the light/dark cycle & pump cycle? I don't see the need for buying a seperate timer for that stuff, also I work from home - so I'm home all day, not a big deal for me to go to the closet to turn lights on/off, close the closet door & lay a towel down if needed to block out all light. Also I am worried about my electricity bill, how much does the aerogarden cost running 20/18/12 hours a day? - I live with roommates who I don't want to know what I'm doing (they are greedy). Also the heat issue, I don't know how much heat the machine & plant will put out but I read that you should keep the temp under 80F. I live in MI so it's not really that warm to begin with but I don't know how the small closet space would effect the temp? Anyway any other info about growing you can give me would be great. Also any info on how to harvest & dry weed to be able to "use it". Thanks.

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check out my gardens if you want some ideas i used aero garden once wont do it again except clones
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj96/floydsamgreene/garden/

I recomend aerogarden as a cloner only, and instead of the plug holder i recommend small round neopream discs, I grew a nice sized plan yeilded about 1.5 ounces but it destroyed the aerogarden, roots grew through the filter and ruined the pump, ( which is hard to get and now in stock you gota call to order it though) grew the top right off the base. Check out the new flowering tub i just made total cost less than 30.00 a guy could build 4 of my tubs for the cost of 1 delux aerogarden check out this link i aint a lyin

http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj96/floydsamgreene/garden/Second Grow Home made flow and drip system/Aeroponic Cloner/

I'm kinda thinkin that first main post about the fig 8 cord needs to be clarified. Because depending on what timer you get you may not need one. I ended up getting one anyway so I can take control of the AG lights during flowering... maybe that's what the main post is trying to accomplish by recommending the fig 8 cord and I got more confused when it was recommended for extra lights.

...maybe I shouldn't be able to go on the internet when im high

Anyway, got everything set up and will start up a thread once I have some pictures worth taking. 2 out of 3 germinated, which is a perfect start imo because I only wanted to do 2 plants, but some back up would have been nice since I can't be guaranteed females.

Oh yea, question: Im using purified water "Pure" by Gerber to be exact. And I haven't had to adjust the pH at all. It keeps reading a steady 5.7-5.8

On average, do you guys find you usually have to bring it up or down?

just depends, either way you want to monitor your pH, where it go's up and down or not.

Any suggestions?

1 of my little bio dome things didn't snap onto the seedpod and is not getting any moisture collecting on the top like the other one is because of this. It still seems to be progressing, just slower than the other one.

it should be fine man

Hi I had a few questions. I've never grown anything, so I am completely new. I was thinking of getting a clone from the club, it's about 10 bucks. I don't know where to get seeds and I don't really wanna bother with them dieing. The seeds at the clubs here are 50 bucks but a lot of them - they don't do any less amounts.

-Stage - So I was just thinking of getting 1 clone and this version of the aero garden. What stage will they be at? Like should I consider them being at vegetation? or like how many weeks should I wait? and how do I put them into the "sponges" of the aero garden -What are the sponges?
-The air pump, I'm trying to look for it - but I was wondering how to hook it all up.. I don't really see any instructions for hooking up things. I don't actually have any of the items, so I'm guessing the aero garden just has something sticking out and you connect the air pump to it? If so.. what kind of tubing should I look for? Is it usually included in the air pump?
And would this work for an air pump?
-The air stones. Would this work? Can't seem to find any other ones. What should I be searching/looking for? What exactly are the air stones and where do they go and how do they work?
-Figure 8 connector - I have one, but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to hook it up to the timer then the extra lights... I'm thinking of getting something like this. I am thinking of getting a couple of extra outlet/extension cables and plugging all of them into this 1 outlet, which will work as the timer. I am wondering, will this route work?
-Lights - how many lights should I start with/end with in regards to starting with a clone - not seed. And again, what stage should I consider these plants because I know that there are different amount of K that you need like 6500 for veg but less for flowering. I was just wondering what I should be at if I'm using a clone.
-Ph levels - What water am I adjusting? Does the aero garden have a hookup where the water is automatically distributed ? So would I have to check the water in a reservoir of the aero garden water? Or do I have to water the plant everyday and check the water that I use?
-Height of the plant - I'm only gonna be using 1 clone, but I'm wondering how high its going to grow. I have a cabinet that I store all my glass tubes in, but I'm going to clear it out and use it for this. It's about 3 feet high. And what should I do about the AG hood? what if the plants get too high and start touching the bulbs?
-Growing cabinet - I've seen a lot of pictures with aluminum in the grow cabinets.. is this required? Do I just cover everything on the inside with aluminum?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

blazeddd said:

Hi I had a few questions. I've never grown anything, so I am completely new. I was thinking of getting a clone from the club, it's about 10 bucks. I don't know where to get seeds and I don't really wanna bother with them dieing. The seeds at the clubs here are 50 bucks but a lot of them - they don't do any less amounts.

-Stage - So I was just thinking of getting 1 clone and this version of the aero garden. What stage will they be at? Like should I consider them being at vegetation? or like how many weeks should I wait? and how do I put them into the "sponges" of the aero garden -What are the sponges?
-The air pump, I'm trying to look for it - but I was wondering how to hook it all up.. I don't really see any instructions for hooking up things. I don't actually have any of the items, so I'm guessing the aero garden just has something sticking out and you connect the air pump to it? If so.. what kind of tubing should I look for? Is it usually included in the air pump?
-The air stones. Would this work? Can't seem to find any other ones. What should I be searching/looking for? What exactly are the air stones and where do they go and how do they work?
-Figure 8 connector - I have one, but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to hook it up to the timer then the extra lights... I'm thinking of getting something like this. I am thinking of getting a couple of extra outlet/extension cables and plugging all of them into this 1 outlet, which will work as the timer. I am wondering, will this route work?
-Lights - how many lights should I start with/end with in regards to starting with a clone - not seed. And again, what stage should I consider these plants because I know that there are different amount of K that you need like 6500 for veg but less for flowering. I was just wondering what I should be at if I'm using a clone.
-Ph levels - What water am I adjusting? Does the aero garden have a hookup where the water is automatically distributed ? So would I have to check the water in a reservoir of the aero garden water? Or do I have to water the plant everyday and check the water that I use?
-Height of the plant - I'm only gonna be using 1 clone, but I'm wondering how high its going to grow. I have a cabinet that I store all my glass tubes in, but I'm going to clear it out and use it for this. It's about 3 feet high. And what should I do about the AG hood? what if the plants get too high and start touching the bulbs?
-Growing cabinet - I've seen a lot of pictures with aluminum in the grow cabinets.. is this required? Do I just cover everything on the inside with aluminum?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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1.The clones probably just rooted, so they should be a couple weeks old, just depends. They are vegging, I would veg them out longer when you get them. You want to veg a plant out long before you flower, so your yield is better.
Some times clones at the club actually come in the AG type sponges, are the one your looking into getting in rockwool? And what collective are you going to?
The air pump is pretty easy man, they should have tubing there for it when you get it. You basically just connect one side of the tube to the pump, and the other side to the actual air stone. Try and get the biggest one that will fit in your AG, so make sure to measure how big it is before you get the stone.
Those air stones should work, but idk how big they are, again, the bigger they are the better, so you can cover the whole rez with bubbles. The air stone put oxygen into the water for the roots, its all beneficial for the plant.




That timer will be good, you just plug the figure 8 cord into the timer, or a power strip you have the timer on and you connect the other side into the AG light base on the back.


I would get a couple extra CFL's for vegging, then get some bigger actual wattage for flowering, here is a good thread

https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/107992-tutorial-growing-cfls.html

Day Light for vegging, and soft white for flowering

For the pH, you need to adjust the water in the AG rez, there is only one place the water go's, it has a internal pump which just pushes water up to the sponges
For the height, the plant will just about triple in size when you flower, so you just calculate that into how much room you have, but there are techniques to keep the plant short and stocky.
For your cab you would be better off putting up something white to reflect the light, foil isnt the best solution