Sprout bubbler

My Sprout's bubbler was not bubbling and the usual cleaning with these wasn't helping so I figured out how to take it apart and see if it needed a more thorough cleaning. That didn't really seem to help. 

Then I found this video. The part of the bubbler I was taking apart has internal components. So I took those apart. They seemed fine, but I went ahead and wiped them off, just in case there was some sort of build up I couldn't see. 

I put it all back together and it is bubbling again now. But must less bubbling than previously and less than the other Sprout I have.

I do have a question I couldn't find and answer to on youtube, though. The Sprout normally makes a pleasant burbling noise. And it is again now that I've got it bubbling. But for the last month it has also been making a louder noise as though some internal mechanism has come loose inside and is rattling around. It's not coming from the basin. I've taken that off and it it still makes the noise. It's coming from the base.

It's loud enough that I have to turn the Sprout off during video conferences and phone calls. I'd like to take it apart and see if something needs to be tightened internally.

I haven't been able to find any videos of anyone taking apart a base. I'm not sure if it is even possible. I've looked at the bottom and it's got a few screws holding things together. Do we know if it is also glued together?

[Shawn]

Great video.  I do know at one point they updated the bubbler to add a couple more holes for bubbles.  That was supposed to help in the clogging.  They also had a tool (more like a tube that fit over) the bubbler to remove it.  I wonder if they have either of them anymore to replace.

I wish I still had mine.  I would offer it up to someone with a 3d printer but I no longer have it.  However if I do find the tool I will let you know.

As for the sound, I cannot help.  I had given my Sprout to someone a couple years ago and they since got rid of it

Okay, it stopped bubbling again. I decided to break out my screwdriver.

I unplugged and removed the basin. I removed the six screws in the bottom of the base. The two halves came apart easily.

It looks like the foam that is padding the device that pushes the air through has gotten a bit worn. It only makes the noise when it is in the casing. I don't have have any similar foam to use for padding. I tried wrapping it in some plumber's tape, but that didn't help.

I checked to make sure that the air is getting through the tubing into the nozzle that pushes it through the bubbler once assembled, by dipping it into a dish of water. Bubbles galore.

I put everything back together and added the basin. For a few glorious minutes it was bubbling merrily, but now it is back to no bubbles at all.

I bought it June of 2020. I guess I should reach out to Aerogarden and see what they advise.

[Shawn]

They should replace it as part of the warranty.

Jan 18, 2021 13:44:00 GMT -5 Shawn said:

They should replace it as part of the warranty.

Excellent!! I've submitted the problem via their website. I think I'm going to go ahead and transfer the plants in it over to some currently open spots on other unit. It will be a bit before the bell peppers are zucchini are big.

[ERR0R1755]

I don't have any advice in regards to no bubbles, but I will say that I completely removed that tower-like piece on my Sprouts and not only does the bubbler seem to work better, they are a lot quieter as well. There is still the white screw-like extrusion at the bottom, but no leaks or anything like I was worried about.

ERR0R1755 Thank you for the tip. I will give that a try on my other sprout. It's not as loud as this one, but it's not just the gentle bubbling sound any more either.

[ERR0R1755]

Jan 19, 2021 21:34:21 GMT -5 @zyphax said:

ERR0R1755 Thank you for the tip. I will give that a try on my other sprout. It's not as loud as this one, but it's not just the gentle bubbling sound any more either.

It's easy enough to try, too - you just take the piece off and set the reservoir back in the Sprout's base, and then see if you like how it sounds/bubbles. If not, you just put the piece back in

Heard back from aerogarden. They asked me to do the whole disassemble the aerator thing. I did tell them that I'd already tried that several times, in my initial message. But I guess they have to start with the basics. (It's like IT asking you to turn your computer off and on again.)

They did however include this nifty image in the email.

Okay new message from Aerogarden on the 27th. Took me a while to gather all the info that they asked for.

They wanted:

• A copy of your proof of purchase
• A photo of the white sticker along with the barcode on the underside of the base of the garden. If you have a Farm, it is located on the underside of the hood above the right LED panel
• Full Name, Shipping address, and Phone number
• Brief description of the issue and a photo/video of what you are seeing so we can determine the issue.
• What troubleshooting have you tried to fix it?
• If you have plants growing, please also let us know which Seed Pods you'll need to restart your garden.

My Sprout doesn't have a barcode anywhere on it. So I just sent them a picture of the sticker on the bottom.

It's weird that they are asking for a description of what is wrong again. This is the third time typing it out for them. Kind of wishing I'd saved a copy of the first submission.

For some reason I had it in my head that Aerogardens had a two year warranty but they state in the email that it is one year.

[Shawn]

It might be someone new asking for the information. 

I got a third response on 03Feb2021. This one was the same as the first directing me to disassemble to the bubbler.

I am beginning to see where some of the frustration I've seen on the reddit and facebook groups is coming from.

I replied to the email by explaining the previous emails I'd received and including copy and pastes of my replies. I also included all of the attachments from the previous email I sent. Hopefully it will help.

[Sher]

Arghh!  So sorry for the frustration and delay, @zyphax.

[Shawn]

Have you tried to Message on Facebook?  They will get to it.  Tell them you wish to communicate with a supervisor.

Feb 4, 2021 14:10:35 GMT -5 Shawn said:

Have you tried to Message on Facebook?  They will get to it.  Tell them you wish to communicate with a supervisor.

Thank you Shawn! If things don't look like they are progressing in the right direction by this time next week, I'll reach out on Facebook.

Got a reply back today. Sounds like they are planning to ship me a new one. But they are currently back ordered until April. So it'll be some time.

Also they've requested that once I receive the new one, I give them a heads up and they will send me a label to ship out the old one.

[Shawn]

Great. As long as you know one will be coming