2008 Aerogarden Classic 7: Deep Clean

[pfunnyjoy]

Since I need to do it, maybe someone, somewhere, can benefit. Back in the day, I simply did not know that vinegar could take off some of the deposits that accumulate! So while this garden looked pristine on the outside, the inside was an entirely different story, as bleach and water sanitization never touched the crud buildup!

This is the interior of the grow bowl. I had actually tried to clean it with a quick citric acid soak before planting it with the Tatsoi, mainly because the two support struts were positively STUCK in place and could not be removed, and I did a vinegar sanitization, running the pump, but I didn't want to take the time for a long soak, or pull the grow deck apart, or pull the pump out and take it apart, or anything, so although a little crud came off, and the supports got unstuck, most of it remained.

Now, I'm doing a more thorough deep clean, within reason, as I know I can't likely get it all off. But the hope is that once cleaner, it will be easier to maintain in a better state.



I'll try and have more pics as I progress. No before pix of the underside of the grow deck though. The light wasn't very good today, but it did have a fair amount of deposits, similar to the grow bowl.

I also, courtesy of Matt Garver on YouTube, got links for adapters and LED grow bulbs. Which I've ordered and will hope they work out.

This is my first AG (ordered from Amazon on August 13, 2008 with herb kit), so there's a bit of sentiment attached, and I like the grow deck configuration.

[lynnee]

That's a fascinating project! Do keep the photos coming.

[pfunnyjoy]

Nov 1, 2023 23:32:04 GMT -5 lynnee said:

That's a fascinating project! Do keep the photos coming.

Will do! 14 screws to undo for the grow deck, LOL! And I'm glad I did take it apart, even though it wasn't bad inside, but it was VERY difficult to get apart, no doubt thanks to buildup. The pump looked a bit grungy, so I'm not sorry I took it apart for a thorough clean.

I'm out of citric acid, and probably won't get to more cleaning today anyway, but I think I'll haul out a roasting pan and try a vinegar soak on it.

[pfunnyjoy]

I've completed the cleaning and have reassembled the grow deck and I took more pictures, but vgy.me is currently down and has been most of today. So I will be looking at creating an Imgur account next. I was having a fair number of issues with uploading to vgy.me, so it may be as well.

I had hoped to get more of the buildup off, but the truth is I only got rid of some of it. I guess it's better to never let build up progress before cleaning!

I have the two LED bulbs in hand. Adapters have cleared customs in Los Angeles according to tracking, so with luck, will have them sometime later this week. 

[pfunnyjoy]

OK, pictures ... from the top, as I managed to accidentally delete the image previously referenced. Apologies in advance, the pictures aren't always the best. Lighting in my kitchen isn't great.

The grow bowl in its post-garden state of crustiness.


Step 1: Vinegar-soaked paper towel drape


Result, some improvement, but it's clear that this isn't gonna come off easy-peasy, if it comes off at all.



Step 2: Onto the grow deck, removal of pump cover, and pump
The pump cover is a bit of plastic with a slit, plus a couple tabs. I started prying at it with a small, slim, flat-head screwdriver, until I could get it up and press the two tabs in. Then off it came, revealing the pump. I started pulling that up, and even taking it apart, before realizing that would be best done with the pump entirely removed from the grow deck.


The pump is now free of the tube it was formerly connected to. That you just wiggle apart.

Then you remove the single screw that holds the electrical connection to the grow deck. And you have your pump disconnected.


Step 3: Vinegar soaking the small parts.
Once the pump was fully disassembled, I put it in some vinegar/water to soak. It was slightly grungy looking, though there did not seem to be any crusty buildup. You'll see I'm also soaking the water fill indicator, magnet, filter sponge (a cut-down green nylon scrubbie), and the grow baskets.


To be continued...

[pfunnyjoy]

Step 4: Pump reassembly
Here we have the cleaned-up pump parts. Note the tiny black endcap for the impeller shaft sitting on top of the pump cover. Once a pump is clean, I like to get it all back together FAST before any bits can be lost! There was a bit of buildup on the contacts, it's better, but not perfect. White buildup is simply not coming off the rubbery bits.


A close-up of the contacts


The impeller is back inside, with end cap in place


The pump is back together again. I didn't take a picture, but I put a piece of blue painter's tape over the connecting screw so it wouldn't fall out and get lost. I set the cleaned-up pump aside to work on the grow deck and bowl.


To be continued...

[scarfguy]

There should be a black rubber end cap on each end of the impeller.

[lynnee]

Nov 6, 2023 19:22:00 GMT -5 scarfguy said:

There should be a black rubber end cap on each end of the impeller.

Yes, the other one may be stuck inside the pump cover. My two caps often get stuck.

pfunnyjoy, it's fascinating to see how little the pump has changed. It looks like the only important change is that the current pumps plug into a port.

Your photos are great!

[pfunnyjoy]

Nov 6, 2023 19:22:00 GMT -5 scarfguy said:

There should be a black rubber end cap on each end of the impeller.

I didn't take the shaft that sits in the center of the impeller out. It wasn't coming with a gentle pull and I couldn't remember if it came all the way out or not. I don't know if AG still sells replacement pumps for this old model or not, so I didn't want to break it.

And heaven forbid I should yank, and the shaft comes out and the little end cap goes flying off somewhere! I'd never find it! 

[pfunnyjoy]

Nov 6, 2023 23:43:18 GMT -5 lynnee said:

Nov 6, 2023 19:22:00 GMT -5 scarfguy said:

There should be a black rubber end cap on each end of the impeller.

Yes, the other one may be stuck inside the pump cover. My two caps often get stuck.

pfunnyjoy , it's fascinating to see how little the pump has changed. It looks like the only important change is that the current pumps plug into a port.

Your photos are great!

Thank you. Google Pixel 6A.

I have a somewhat similar pump in a cat fountain, only the impeller just drops in on a shaft and stays magnetically with no fussy end caps. Meant to be taken apart and cleaned weekly. Pity AG doesn't go with one like that for better ease of cleaning or at least less worry!

Those little end caps scare me!

[lynnee]

pfunnyjoy, I discovered the pump impeller end caps after I lost one in the dishwasher. Now they don't go into the dishwasher unless they're irretrievably stuck. And I save the parts if I have to discard a pump.

[pfunnyjoy]

Nov 7, 2023 13:19:05 GMT -5 lynnee said:

pfunnyjoy , I discovered the pump impeller end caps after I lost one in the dishwasher. Now they don't go into the dishwasher unless they're irretrievably stuck. And I save the parts if I have to discard a pump.

Hell, yeah! I will too! I think I might have a spare pump stashed, but still. 

Taking the old garden all the way apart was a bit scary at times, there were tiny chips of plastic going when I slowly and carefully pried the grow deck apart. Went back together easy, so hopefully the cleaning did something positive there.

[pfunnyjoy]

Step 5: Taking the grow deck apart.
There are 14 phillips screws to remove! I placed all the screws in a ZipLoc bag so I wouldn't lose any. I used a small, flat-headed screwdriver to pry the upper and lower halves apart, taking my time. They didn't want to come apart easily! Was a bit scared I was going to break the grow deck! Cleaner inside than I expected.


Upper portion:


Lower portion:



Step 6: A vinegar soak.
I'm using straight cleaning vinegar here, no dilution. Finally found a great use for my roasting pan!


Post soak: Top portion of grow deck, inner side. There's some improvement, but buildup is still present in places.


Post soak: Bottom portion of grow deck, inner side. A little improvement, but still plenty of buildup residue remaining.


Post soak: Bottom portion of grow deck from the other side.



Step 7: I gave them both a good scrub and put them back in for further soaking. Hey, I had the roasting pan full of vinegar, I figured it couldn't hurt to see if I could loosen up a little more residue. I got a little more off.


Step 8: Put the grow deck back together again.
No trouble with this, presumably the cleaning helped.


To be continued...

[scarfguy]

Thanks for this, pfunnyjoy!  Very interesting...

Being a rather new AGer, I've never seen any of these discontinued models.  I didn't realize AG has gone through so many iterations.

Does anybody have a complete list of past and present AG models?  

Production dates and pictures would be interesting too.

[pfunnyjoy]

Nov 7, 2023 17:41:56 GMT -5 scarfguy said:

Thanks for this, pfunnyjoy !  Very interesting...

Being a rather new AGer, I've never seen any of these discontinued models.  I didn't realize AG has gone through so many iterations.

Does anybody have a complete list of past and present AG models?  

Production dates and pictures would be interesting too.

According to Aerogarden, the first model was launched in 2006. And it looks considerably different from my 2008 model! 

aerogarden.com/ideas-and-inspiration/our-story.html#:~:text=After%20three%20years%20in%20development,of%20time%2C%20being%20the%20O.G.

And apparently, up to 2008, there was just the Aerogarden 7 (in whatever iteration), often referred to as the Classic. But then they got going with other models all of a sudden, I'm not sure exactly when! They introduced various airstone models (Advanced Growing System), and switched the fluorescent light bulbs from round, to flat versions.

But I have no idea if there's a complete list of past and present AG models anywhere. That would be interesting to see! There's some models listed here, but it doesn't look like a complete list.
aerogardeners.fandom.com/wiki/Special:AllPages


I know in my era, they had 3-pod models, even some with fun painted finishes. They were entirely different looking than the newer Sprouts. I think these were all airstone models. They used ONE flat fluorescent bulb.

Here's a link to the Bee version:
camelcamelcamel.com/product/B009C3BM0I

And the Ladybug:
camelcamelcamel.com/Miracle-Gro-AeroGarden-Indoor-Gourmet-Ladybug/product/B009C3BP9Q

I had a silver one (before the Ladybug was introduced), and it also came in white and black. There may have been other colors/paint schemes.


The AG Veggie Pro was introduced in 2009 and I believe the 6 Elite+ was too:
www.indoorgardener.org/2009/09/veggiepro-arrives-bring-on-full-size.html

Classic 7's like what I have have shorter grow baskets, but with the introduction of the Veggie Pro and 6 Elite+, they switched to the longer baskets. NOT interchangeable! For a time, they offered 7-pod kits AND 6-pod kits in order to accommodate both garden styles. Deck spacing is a LOT more generous on these old models!

Veggie Pro and 6E+ models do not have the normal pump, but instead, the pump is inside of the base with the electronics, and was not, as far as I know, considered user replaceable. These two models have airstones inside the grow bowl. So very easy to clean, no roots can get to the pump! They are basically the same Aerogarden, except the Elite has some stainless trim, and some painted stainless accents, where the Veggie Pro is basic black. One might've come with a trellis system and the other not, can't remember now.

I've still got some of my manuals, at some point, I'll have to dredge around, see if I can come up with any more ancient AG tidbits.

[scarfguy]

That's really interesting ancient history, pfunnyjoy!

Thanks for posting it.

I imagine that there are a few collectors of historic AGs just like there are collectors of historic computers.

[lynnee]

I love the history lesson, pfunnyjoy!

[pfunnyjoy]

Nov 7, 2023 19:02:09 GMT -5 scarfguy said:

That's really interesting ancient history, pfunnyjoy !

Thanks for posting it.

I imagine that there are a few collectors of historic AGs just like there are collectors of historic computers.

I may, at some point, when I have time, see if I can dredge anything else up and make a dedicated thread to what I can find. Just so anyone coming to the forum can find it if they happen to be looking.

I know I have old manuals around somewhere. I think I still have one or two original boxes. And I may have some of the old seed kit brochures laying about.

But no promises about when, as I'm going to be busy enough with my AGs!

[swimmom500]

Nov 7, 2023 18:38:05 GMT -5 pfunnyjoy said:

Nov 7, 2023 17:41:56 GMT -5 scarfguy said:

Thanks for this, pfunnyjoy !  Very interesting...

Being a rather new AGer, I've never seen any of these discontinued models.  I didn't realize AG has gone through so many iterations.

Does anybody have a complete list of past and present AG models?  

Production dates and pictures would be interesting too.

According to Aerogarden, the first model was launched in 2006. And it looks considerably different from my 2008 model! 

aerogarden.com/ideas-and-inspiration/our-story.html#:~:text=After%20three%20years%20in%20development,of%20time%2C%20being%20the%20O.G.

And apparently, up to 2008, there was just the Aerogarden 7 (in whatever iteration), often referred to as the Classic. But then they got going with other models all of a sudden, I'm not sure exactly when! They introduced various airstone models (Advanced Growing System), and switched the fluorescent light bulbs from round, to flat versions.

But I have no idea if there's a complete list of past and present AG models anywhere. That would be interesting to see! There's some models listed here, but it doesn't look like a complete list.
aerogardeners.fandom.com/wiki/Special:AllPages


I know in my era, they had 3-pod models, even some with fun painted finishes. They were entirely different looking than the newer Sprouts. I think these were all airstone models. They used ONE flat fluorescent bulb.

Here's a link to the Bee version:
camelcamelcamel.com/product/B009C3BM0I

And the Ladybug:
camelcamelcamel.com/Miracle-Gro-AeroGarden-Indoor-Gourmet-Ladybug/product/B009C3BP9Q

I had a silver one (before the Ladybug was introduced), and it also came in white and black. There may have been other colors/paint schemes.


The AG Veggie Pro was introduced in 2009 and I believe the 6 Elite+ was too:
www.indoorgardener.org/2009/09/veggiepro-arrives-bring-on-full-size.html

Classic 7's like what I have have shorter grow baskets, but with the introduction of the Veggie Pro and 6 Elite+, they switched to the longer baskets. NOT interchangeable! For a time, they offered 7-pod kits AND 6-pod kits in order to accommodate both garden styles. Deck spacing is a LOT more generous on these old models!

Veggie Pro and 6E+ models do not have the normal pump, but instead, the pump is inside of the base with the electronics, and was not, as far as I know, considered user replaceable. These two models have airstones inside the grow bowl. So very easy to clean, no roots can get to the pump! They are basically the same Aerogarden, except the Elite has some stainless trim, and some painted stainless accents, where the Veggie Pro is basic black. One might've come with a trellis system and the other not, can't remember now.

I've still got some of my manuals, at some point, I'll have to dredge around, see if I can come up with any more ancient AG tidbits.

I have the Aerogarden Pro 200, the Veggie Pro and the 6 Elite+. My biggest challenge has been finding bulbs. I tried the LED bulb setup you referenced, however the bulbs in the 3 bulb systems are different and it wouldn’t work with mine. The last bulbs I purchased were from an EBay seller but when they arrived 2 of the 3 had a small crack in them and they wouldn’t work. If you come across an LED setup for the 3 bulb models let us know. The adapter you use for yours does not fit in my garden. I do like that there is much more room between the pods on the grow deck!

[pfunnyjoy]

Nov 8, 2023 15:10:38 GMT -5 swimmom500 said:

I have the Aerogarden Pro 200, the Veggie Pro and the 6 Elite+. My biggest challenge has been finding bulbs. I tried the LED bulb setup you referenced, however the bulbs in the 3 bulb systems are different and it wouldn’t work with mine. The last bulbs I purchased were from an EBay seller but when they arrived 2 of the 3 had a small crack in them and they wouldn’t work. If you come across an LED setup for the 3 bulb models let us know. The adapter you use for yours does not fit in my garden. I do like that there is much more room between the pods on the grow deck!

Honestly, I have heard that there is no good LED setup for the 3 bulb models, other than possibly doing your own rewiring/hacking of the hood. Which I personally am not up for, having zero knowledge of electronics. I suppose one could just dump the hood, and hang a grow light above. I'm not sure if I'm up for that kind of setup either, as it seems more complicated, i.e. extra plugs and timers would be involved.

I have not, so far, found any replacement 100633 bulbs available for sale. I've searched, and found listings, but all say "Out of Stock." The fluorescent bulb set that AG still sells is a different model number and looks different. Which I hadn't realized until I looked on their site today!

I have some bulbs stashed, but I'm not sure which type at present. When I run out, that may be it for the old gardens except for the Classic 7. My plan is to watch for Bounty 40/50W model sales, replacing old gardens slowly.