Aerogarden 3 Elite Grow Project

So I've taken the plunge into the wonderful world of growing, and I got me an aerogarden off craigslist for $30, and it came with two seed kits, cherry tomato and the salad greens. I got a gang of seeds, so Im gonna see what happens.

It's gonna be a while before I get some pics, so I'll do my best to describe things until then.

My setup:
I have the machine sitting on a crate, with a tub underneath the crate to collect accidental water. It's surround by a science fair-style board, wrapped in aluminum foil. I used the paper towel method to germinate 5 seeds three days ago, and 4 of them have started to root, so it's time to load up the machine.

Any and all suggetions, crticism, etc. is greatly appreciated. Poop out.

Use distilled water if you can. I use water filtered through a Brita filter.

Get a pH meter here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Milwaukee-PH-600-Digital-pH-Meter-Tester-0-14-New-/230416860251?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a5ea445b

Keep the pH level between 5.5 - 5.9 with 5.8 being ideal. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Do not introduce nutrients for the first two weeks and then start with a 25% nutrient solution and gradually increase the amount. I use Fox Farms Grow Big and Tiger Bloom. I also use Hygrozyme for healthy roots.

You should get a couple of extra cfl side lights and a fan. The reservoir in the Aerogarden 3 Elite is very small and it comes with a built in air stone, so I don't know if you can put an additional air stone in the reservoir. Also, be aware that the root system of MJ is very large and you will find you will have to water it frequently.

You should only grow 1 plant in that size Aerogarden.

Rollitup is a fantastic site and you will get plenty of growing information here.

Good Luck!!

Thanks for the info. My next purchases, when I get paid, is to get the ph meter and some other things. I read on here that I should put the AG on the tomato setting, but I don't think this particular model has that....and where do I get a good, cheap timer from? lol

[FONT=&quot]Timer at this site:

http://toolscheapstore.us/01-468240-B000E8XGBI-Intermatic_TB121C_Digital_Tabletop_Lamp_and_Appliance_Timer.html[/FONT]

Thanks for the help! I ordered that and a ph tester, so I'm just waiting for them to arrive...any other good tips?

Another thing. In my extensive research, I've discovered that the best plant to use for this kind of hook up is a Lowryder strain, but that was about 3-4 years ago. Does that still hold true, or is there a better strain I should be looking for? I want the highest possible yield with this machine.

I have my AG set to 24 hour light. Im not sure if yours has that or not but if it does id keep it on 24 hour light. I have the Indoor/Outdoor Medical Marijuana Bible that Jorge Cervantes wrote. Great book if you can pick it up. Your seedlings are going to need ATLEAST 16 hours of light. I hope all is well. Check out my grow or any other aerogarden grow on here for that matter. All should have a pretty good run down of whats goin on/ problems/ questions/ all the odds and ends you can pick up from lookin at others grows. GOOD LUCK

poopscoop313 said:

Another thing. In my extensive research, I've discovered that the best plant to use for this kind of hook up is a Lowryder strain, but that was about 3-4 years ago. Does that still hold true, or is there a better strain I should be looking for? I want the highest possible yield with this machine.

Click to expand...

I heard about the lowryder mint strain...is that good for the AG?

any lowryder is gonna be a good strain for anything. and the question shouldnt be whats good for the AG it should be "what strain is good for me?" every strain has its pros and cons depending on the person/setup/expenses/maintenance/etc. you can always ask for advice, but you needa find out what works for you. and another piece of my mind mint doesnt sound too bad. do work.

well right now I don't know what's going on...but the lights have been off for far too long. We had a storm that came by here, so I don't know. The machine itself is still on, and it's still bubbling in the reservoir, but as I said the lights wont come on. I've unplugged it and plugged it back in several times, but nothing. The change bulb indicator is not on, however. What to do?

Try pressing and holding the reset button. I think the default setting for the 3 Elite is 17 hours on and 7 hours off. That is why you might think it's been off too long.

You will have to get a figure 8 cord to plug into your light and using the timer set it for whatever time on time off you want.

Check this link for more info:
http://www.aerogrow.com/community/images/stories/file/300414AA_AG3_QSG_web_6_27.pdf

I did that. The time that I had originally set for it to come back on has since been passed and it still isnt on. I contacted the manufacturer and they suggested I get a new bulb for $5. I'm just hoping that that's just the problem. Can I go elsewhere and get a bulb for it. I dont want to have to wait extra days for shipping.

Aerogarden's customer service is pretty good. I don't know of any place that sells those bulbs. Is the power light still on and air stone still working? If so, you can get an external cfl light to use until you receive the replacement light from Aerogarden. Also, try unplugging the Elite 3 and plugging it back in.

Home depot carries some aerogarden stuff. They have the flat cfls 2 for $20. They also sell seed kits and a couple diff AGs. Id just ride around your town going to different places seeing what they have to offer. I dont know about you, but looking at gardening stuff period is a lot of fun. Hope I helped.

Thanks a lot guys! I got my friend to loan me a lamp from his grow for a few days till I work something out. I just hope that my babies didnt get ruined...they went over 24 hours without direct light....I'm thinking of ordering some Lowryder seeds as well, but I wanna make sure that the machine still works, so if they are ruined, I'ma try with some new random seeds, just to see if the machine still works.

24 hours without light won't hurt your plants.

You should check out AK-48 feminized. It's a fast growing, very robust plant that's very tolerant of mistakes.

thanks again for all the help! I really appreciate it guys!

Update:
My friend, this so-called expert on growing, tried to talk me into starting over with a whole new setup, but I said that I wanted to try the AG to it's full extent. I bought a ph meter on ebay for $5, but the AG rep didnt get back with me since our last correspondence....maybe it's cuz the weekend....anyway, I went to Home Depot last nite, and they said that they've never heard of the AG....baffling.

As for the babies, they seem to be alright

I just ordered the replacement lights, so let's see what happens....any and all comments and the like is welcome!

You should have just gone to home depot and picked up some light socket to 2 prong adapters and stuck 4 cfls around it. if the pump is still working you should be ok just put the ag around a window so it can get some sunlight. I hope those bulbs work, that would suck if it was the light fixture itself. Ive been doing a lot of looking and you can also just get a 150w hps for less than 75 bucks and they come in a all in 1 unit. ALSO I know you might not have access to one, but I took a 5 headed lamp and unscrewed the base cut the cord re-wired it and turned it upside down. Because the heads are meant to move they stay in place wherever you want them super easy and super user friendly. Good luck, stop by my grow and give me a piece of mind.