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Post by mattphoto on Jan 10, 2024 1:40:22 GMT -5
Happy with my Aerogarden Harvest, but wanted to try a cheaper option. Amazon is full of many whitelabel units rebranded. This one stood out because it seemed to break the mold and the reviews seemed to lead me to believe that it was of a higher quality then most of the others. The cost is about 60 right now. It had a coupon for me for 30% off, but i know those tend to be targeted and may not show for all. What also stood out : - 4L tank, a step up for me.
- 11 pods, they definitely are too close together but it would allow me for more positioning possibilities
- the pump-lid setup is like the aerogarden where the pump disperses water into each pod through channels in the lid
- 36-watt lights (debatable - these tend to be inflated)
- 12 inch lamp height (I wanted more but I'll just grab another unit for taller plants)
- Atomizer that sprays mist on the plant on a timer. I don't really know what I would use this for. Any ideas?
Limitations that stood out - Open the cap to check water level. not a big deal for me as it's 4L and I'm on top of refilling water.
- Light timer is like the harvest. starts from the time you first turn it on/hit the light button.
- Atomizer users filter straws to prevent mineral dust from accumulating on surfaces (great) and they need to be replaced. Looks like they are commonly available for super cheap at least.
Planted 3 days ago and already Mizuna is sprouting. I'll report back as things happen. Hope this helps people shopping. |
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tdse
AGA Sprout
Posts: 122
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Post by tdse on Jan 10, 2024 8:46:33 GMT -5
Happy with my Aerogarden Harvest, but wanted to try a cheaper option. Amazon is full of many whitelabel units rebranded. This one stood out because it seemed to break the mold and the reviews seemed to lead me to believe that it was of a higher quality then most of the others. The cost is about 60 right now. It had a coupon for me for 30% off, but i know those tend to be targeted and may not show for all. What also stood out : - 4L tank, a step up for me.
- 11 pods, they definitely are too close together but it would allow me for more positioning possibilities
- the pump-lid setup is like the aerogarden where the pump disperses water into each pod through channels in the lid
- 36-watt lights (debatable - these tend to be inflated)
- 12 inch lamp height (I wanted more but I'll just grab another unit for taller plants)
- Atomizer that sprays mist on the plant on a timer. I don't really know what I would use this for. Any ideas?
Limitations that stood out - Open the cap to check water level. not a big deal for me as it's 4L and I'm on top of refilling water.
- Light timer is like the harvest. starts from the time you first turn it on/hit the light button.
- Atomizer users filter straws to prevent mineral dust from accumulating on surfaces (great) and they need to be replaced. Looks like they are commonly available for super cheap at least.
Planted 3 days ago and already Mizuna is sprouting. I'll report back as things happen. Hope this helps people shopping. Looks intriguing and sounds like a good deal! The mister functionality is interesting - can it be turned on/off? The one benefit I can think of is some pests (aphids) don't like moisture / humidity. Any idea what the wattage of the lights is? Looks like a decent unit for the price. Keep us posted! |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,610
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 10, 2024 13:07:13 GMT -5
I always enjoy seeing these when someone on here tries out a new hydro system. Let us know how it goes, looks like a great deal! Are the lights fairly purple-ish? That's ALWAYS my issue with stepping away from the AG. The red/purple lights make my eyes and head hurt. AG's white lights don't. But the lower price tag may still be worth the headache!
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Post by lynnee on Jan 10, 2024 14:13:10 GMT -5
Great review and photos, mattphoto!  Where is the mister located? In the hood? In the upright thingies on the deck? What is mineral dust? What kind of surfaces are affected?  |
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 846 
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Post by slw on Jan 10, 2024 18:20:09 GMT -5
Great review and photos, mattphoto ! Where is the mister located? In the hood?  You can see the mister in the pics if you look closely. (First picture on the far left.) Seems like an odd layout on the deck with wasted space. I would also like to know if the mister can be turned off.
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 846
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Post by slw on Jan 10, 2024 19:22:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the review, Matt. That does seem like a good price. I notice that it has a 2 year warranty which is a plus.
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Post by lynnee on Jan 11, 2024 0:44:13 GMT -5
Thanks, slw, I can see the mister now. I thought it was the cap that has to be opened for checking the water level.  |
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Post by mattphoto on Jan 11, 2024 13:09:09 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay getting back to you folks.
Atomizer
The atomizer does turn off. It also has its own 1L reservoir (so it's not spraying fertilized water all over).
Atomizer dust is a concern when using high volume atomizers with tap/spring water (humidifiers have this issue). Filterless humidifiers (the ones that spray mist from an atomizer) are great because they don't use filters, but they just kick up all the minerals from your tap water into the air. It them precipitates onto all your surfaces, electronics, lungs, etc. It can accumulate as a fine white dust. Adding a straw filter helps atomizers avoid this issue.
The atomizer and its tank take up the left 1/3 of the surface and that may cause issues for people. My plan is to put a larger plant on the left-most pod so it can grow out over that space.
The two hook/handle-like things are to the right of the mister, they are rubber, removable caps for the two water reservoirs. Open them up and there is a shelf under each indicating the max fill lines
Lights
On the default (Veg) mode that are certainly pink. The Flower mode is a warm white. Hard to capture with my phone. When I get some time I'll use my camera and a white balance card to get accurate shots. I'm bothered by the pink so i just have it on at night.
I can't measure the intensity of the light. They claim 35w. I have learned these claims from most manufacturers are garbage. Even if it consumes 35w that has little bearing on the light intensity. It seems to be "suitable." It is not as bright per area as the harvest (which is smaller). The phone i used to capture my photos make it look dim because it needs to balance the picture, but it's much brighter in reality.
Pump
Can not hear it at all. It's more silent than the Harvest.
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Post by lynnee on Jan 11, 2024 17:59:00 GMT -5
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Post by mattphoto on Jan 23, 2024 12:16:59 GMT -5
I ended up buying 2 more of these. It's working well. Wife wants to grow japanese peppers and greens we can't easily get in the states, so she keeps planting as she obtains seeds and I'm trying to keep up with the space. The last one we ordered had much whiter light. The light is much like the aerogarden now. Seems brighter too. Maybe they refreshed the model. I'll know better when yet another unit arrives in a week. This is costing me more in space than $ at least.
these are coming up as $32 after coupon for me now. I still do want to get my hands on another Aerogarden model, just waiting on a sale.
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Post by lynnee on Jan 23, 2024 14:36:25 GMT -5
mattphoto, Hydroponic gardens are at their absolute best when other household members take an active interest in them!
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Post by mattphoto on Jan 23, 2024 18:16:34 GMT -5
Here's a photo that kind of shows the lighting difference  the two in the back, with pinkish lighting, were bought in December. The one in the front, which has more white lighting, just arrived yesterday. Otherwise they seem to all look and work the same. |
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Post by lisatnp on Feb 1, 2024 13:57:05 GMT -5
do you think it's going to be an issue in future as the pods are square and not round?
i too just purchased 4 non aeorgarden brands and 2 of them will have the square pods ( they should be delivered today and tomorrow)
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Post by lisatnp on Feb 2, 2024 15:41:56 GMT -5
ups just delivered one of these to me at work and a sawdeny ( which i know nothing about) |
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Post by lynnee on Feb 2, 2024 15:58:16 GMT -5
ups just delivered one of these to me at work and a sawdeny ( which i know nothing about) Is "sawdeny" a typo? |
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 846
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Post by slw on Feb 2, 2024 16:13:07 GMT -5
ups just delivered one of these to me at work  and a sawdeny ( which i know nothing about) Be sure to post your reviews of the new gardens! I love to hear which ones are worth buying. |
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 846
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Post by slw on Feb 2, 2024 22:44:45 GMT -5
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Post by lynnee on Feb 3, 2024 14:44:43 GMT -5
Thanks, slw. That one tempted me, because of the modular grow lights. But the $39.99 price is a red flag, along with the review that says the pump stopped working after 2 months. The one thing that hardly ever happens with an AG is pump failure. (Though the pump controller did fail on one of my Farms.) My curiosity almost got the better of me anyway, until I remembered that I never grow fruiting plants and herbs or lettuce together. Thus I don't know that I would need modular lights at all. Maybe the color shift will encourage veggies and flowers--it's an interesting concept.  |
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Post by lisatnp on Feb 5, 2024 12:27:39 GMT -5
that is the one i just got in the link. ( and still don't know much yet - was waiting for my cuke seeds to come in today). ON the rusirly one - i only picked it because it did say 36w for lights( they probable did lie to me.lol) i am still trying to figure out the atomizer part- no idea about it- but i think i need to put water in that side as well?
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Post by mattphoto on Feb 5, 2024 15:43:25 GMT -5
do you think it's going to be an issue in future as the pods are square and not round?
i too just purchased 4 non aeorgarden brands and 2 of them will have the square pods ( they should be delivered today and tomorrow)
Not an issue at all. I have aerogarden kit pods in there and they fit just fine. The square ones are much better though, as they fit more flush with the surface and seem to be a little bit more roomy. |
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and a sawdeny ( which i know nothing about)