Hello, friends! Today, I’ll be demonstrating the step-by-step process of assembling and operating the AeroGarden Farm 12 XL hydroponic system.
Assemble the system
Arrange all the components of the system on the floor. Begin by fastening the base metal bars to one section of the metal frame using screws. Next, attach the other piece of the metal frame by screwing it in place.
Afterward, secure the control unit to the top of both metal frames using screws. Ensure that the unit remains horizontal on the floor throughout this process.
Proceed to lift the system into a vertical position. Attach the light hood to the ropes and plug it in. Then, position a bowl at the bottom of the hydroponic system.
Connect all the wires, but refrain from connecting the unit to the power source. If there is anything that you don’t comprehend, please consult the assembly guide.
Read also: Best Hydroponics For Indoor Gardening
Fill the bowl with water
Pour 8 liters of water into the bowl, ensuring that the water level reaches the ‘Max Fill’ mark.
I typically use regular tap water for this purpose. However, since tap water tends to have a high pH level, I add a specific product that lowers it.
The company suggests a mixture of tap water and distilled water in a 50/50 ratio. Nevertheless, regardless of the water source, it is crucial to ensure that the pH level falls within the range of 5.5-6.5.
Add plant food
Thoroughly shake the bottle of plant food to ensure proper mixing. After that, take out the grow deck and carefully pour four capfuls of plant food into the bowl.
Pour the plant food evenly across the bowl to achieve a homogeneous solution. Additionally, gently stir the mixture to ensure the plant food is well-mixed with the water.
Be cautious not to exceed the recommended amount of plant food indicated on the bottle.
Place the seed pods inside
If your seed pods come pre-seeded, simply put them directly into the holes. However, if, like myself, you purchased the Seed Pod Kit Grow Anything, you will need to place the seeds into the sponges.
Once you have positioned the seed pods into the holes, cover them with the grow domes. These domes create additional humidity that promotes the successful germination of the seeds. Once you observe the seedlings sprouting, you can remove the domes.
Connect the electricity
Ensure that all the wires are properly connected to the control unit before inserting the plug into the socket.
As a result of this action, the pump should initiate and begin running. Additionally, the screen on the control panel should illuminate, indicating that it is powered on.
Set up the system
On the screen, locate and press the ‘Start New Garden’ button. After that, proceed to set the current time. Following that, choose the specific type of plants you are cultivating.
Lastly, select the desired time for the lights to activate. By default, it is set to 8 am.
With these steps, the startup process for the AeroGarden Farm 12 XL hydroponic system is complete. I wish you a prosperous harvest and success in all your endeavors!