AeroGarden makes excellent indoor hydroponics that allows you to have fresh vegetables year-round right in your kitchen. However, this is quite a sophisticated device that requires some maintenance.
You do need to change the water in the AeroGarden. Regardless of which model you own, regular water changes are highly recommended.
Replacing old water with fresh water keeps the roots healthy and thriving. This is definitely going to have an effect on increasing yields.
AeroGarden Bounty control panel.
When you change the water, you also need to clean the tank of dirt and add fresh nutrients. Let’s go deeper into this subject.
How often should I change AeroGarden water?
AeroGarden recommends changing the water in their units every 4-6 weeks. Their research has shown that the plants grow better and are healthier if the water is changed in this interval.
As an expert, I can only confirm these recommendations. I would even say it is better to do it at least once a month.
Also, I recommend that you check the roots of your hydroponic plants once a week. If they are white you are doing fine. But as soon as you see that the roots are browning then you should definitely change the water.
I will tell you how to do this and what additional steps you need to take in the next chapter.
Read also: Top 5 Hydroponic Systems
How do I change the water in my AeroGarden with plants?
Fill the AeroGarden tank with water to this level.
To change the water in the AeroGarden you need to do the following steps:
- Disconnect the unit from the power supply.
- Remove all plants from the unit and place them in a separate tray.
- Unplug the tank from any wires.
- Remove the lid from the tank and pour the old water into the sink.
- Place the tank in the sink and clean it under running water using a toothbrush.
- Put the tank back in place and connect the wires (pump).
- Fill the tank with fresh water up to the “Fill to Here” mark.
- Add nutrients to the water.
- Place the plants in the holes. If you see that some of the roots are brown cut that off.
- Plug in the system.
What water to use in Aerogarden?
The best water for use in the AeroGarden is distilled water. It does not contain any minerals and is sterile. This allows the nutrients to come into contact with the roots without any obstacles.
In addition, distilled water does not contain bacteria which ensures the health of the root system.
You can easily find distilled water on sale. Its price is not high at all. And you don’t need too much water to use the AeroGarden.
Can I use tap water for AeroGarden?
Tap water is not the best type of water to use in the AeroGarden. You should therefore avoid it.
Tap water contains minerals and other components that can reduce the effectiveness of nutrients.
In addition, bacteria and slimes develop much faster in tap water than in distilled water.
If you still want to use tap water in your AeroGarden, be sure to sterilize it with a UV sterilizer. Then let it sit for one day and only then use it.
Can you use bottled water in AeroGarden?
You can use bottled water in the Aero Garden. The quality of this water is quite adequate for growing hydroponic plants.
Use bottled water of the best quality. The water must be fresh, which means that it must be poured into the device as soon as the bottle is opened.
Should I use filtered water for AeroGarden?
You should not use filtered water for the AeroGarden. If your water is distilled or bottled, you do not need to filter it additionally.
On the other hand, if you want to use tap water you have to filter it. It is also recommended to run it through a UV sterilizer.
Will my AeroGarden tell me when to change the water?
The AeroGarden will not tell you when you need to change the water because it has no such function. It is able to tell you when you need to add nutrition or top up the water, but when to change the water completely you need to determine for yourself.
The best indicator of when you need to change the water is the quality of the water. If it is dirty, it needs to be changed. In general, the water stays good for hydroponics for about a month, which means you have to change the water every 4 weeks.
How often does a water pump run in AeroGarden?
The AeroGarden water pump runs once every hour. The pump run time is 5 minutes.
This is enough time to keep the sponge and roots constantly wet. In this way, the plants are well supplied with water and nutrition.
You also have the option of enabling a forced test of the pump. You can do this using the control panel.
After using all the different AeroGarden models, I can say that they all have a very quiet water pump. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s working or not.
How do you drain water from an Aerogarden?
To drain the water from the Aerogarden you need to do the following steps:
- Remove the lid with the plants and put it on a tray.
- Unplug the water pump which is in the tank from the wires.
- Lift up the tank and carry it to the sink.
- Drain the water carefully.
- Clean the tank and put it back.
Summary
In general, I recommend changing the water in the AeroGarden at least once a month. But it is better if you do this every two weeks.
When changing the water, be sure to clean the tank and water pump filter of dirt. Use distilled or bottled water.