An Aerogarden is a device that grows plants indoors without soil. The unit only needs water, nutrients, and light to produce plants. But what does it mean when a red light starts flashing on the unit and stays that way? We researched to answer this question and provide you with relevant information.
When a red light starts flashing and remains that way on your Aerogarden, it is a sign that you need to add more water. To add more water, follow the steps below:
- Remove the cover from the water reservoir
- Add water to the level indicated
- Put the cover back on the reservoir
Keep reading to learn how to add and change water in your Aerogarden and why you should not confuse the two tasks. We'll discuss the red flashing light and what you can do to stop it. We'll also cover the best water to use and look at the pros and cons of this gadget.
Why Does The Aerogarden's Add Water Light Come On?
An Aerogarden is a hydroponic system that you can use to grow plants indoors. If you love gardening, either as a hobby or for growing edible vegetables or herbs, an Aerogarden is an excellent option.
Have a look at this Aerogarden on Amazon.
You can place it on your kitchen counter, a table, or in any part of your house. It’s a fast and simple way of growing plants. With an Aerogarden, plants can grow five times faster than with traditional gardening methods.
The good part about this appliance is that it alerts you when the water level is low. A red light will start flashing and continue until you add water to the Aerogarden. Next to the flashing light is a screen with a message that will read "Add Water."
Whenever you see this red light, do the following:
- Remove the lid from the water tank.
- Fill the water up to the level indicated inside the tank.
- Put the cover back on. The "Add Water" message should go away, and the red light should stop flashing and turn green.
Check out the video below for more information on adding water to your Aerogarden.
What Type Of Water Can You Use In An Aerogarden?
Soft Or Hard Water
Both soft and hard water contain minerals that are either dissolved or undissolved. Water with dissolved minerals can destabilize the nutrient content in plants.
On the other hand, undissolved minerals will settle at the bottom as sediment that can cause damage to your Aerogarden.
Water From A Well
Well water has high levels of dissolved minerals that may not work with the nutrients used in an Aerogarden. This can also interfere with the proper growth of the plants.
Tap Water
Tap water is readily available and will probably be the first type that comes to mind. However, you need to consider the amount of chlorine in tap water.
If the chlorine level is too high, it can harm your plants. You can take the water to a local laboratory to test the amount of chlorine in it.
Distilled Water
Check out this water distiller on Amazon.
Distilled water is the best for your Aerogarden because it does not have impurities. This type of water mixes well with the nutrients that come together in the Aerogarden, helping you to grow healthy plants.
How To Change The Water In Your Aerogarden
Find this Aerogarden liquid plant food on Amazon.
Changing the water in your Aerogarden is different from adding water. The water needs to be replaced at least once every month with fresh, clean water. You should also add plant food at this time.
Changing the water allows you to examine your unit for any debris or sediment. It is also the time to remove any roots that could have grown into the pump or filter.
Before changing the water you need the following items:
- Bucket
- Paper towels
- Distilled water
- Aerogarden plant nutrients
To change the water, follow the steps below:
- Remove or raise the light hood.
- Disconnect the power cord from the pump.
- Grab the handles of the grow deck, gently lift it off the unit, and carefully place it over a clean bucket.
- Pour out the water.
- If there is any sediment or debris, wipe it off with a paper towel.
- Remove any roots that have grown into the pump or filter. You may have to clean the filter if it's dirty.
- Pour distilled water into the unit.
- Put the grow deck back in place.
- Plug the pump cord in.
- Open the cover that’s on the reservoir and add more water to the required level.
- Add the required amount of nutrients.
- Lower or reattach the light hood.
Check out the video below for more information on this process.
Troubleshooting The AeroGarden Touchscreen
The touchscreen of your Aerogarden can malfunction and refuse to display any information. That means your unit may not alert you when you need to add water or nutrients. The most likely cause for this is one or more of the following reasons:
- Unit not connected to a power source
- Water getting into the screen
- Damaged screen
- Touching screen with wet or muddy fingers
For the screen to work again, you can troubleshoot by:
Plugging In The Unit
It's easy to forget to plug in the unit. This should be the first thing you check when the screen is blank.
Rebooting
Turn off the unit, unplug it, and wait for a few minutes. Then plug it back in and turn it on. Your unit should reboot and start again.
Cleaning The Screen
You may have touched the screen when your fingers were muddy or wet. In this case, you should clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth.
If you can't make your touchscreen work by rebooting the unit or cleaning the screen, contact your technician.
How To Maintain Your Aerogarden
After investing money and time in your Aerogarden, you want to keep it in good condition so that it will grow healthy plants and last a long time. To maintain your Aerogarden, do the following:
Clean Often
Regularly clean your unit. Wipe it clean with a clean cloth at least once a week. To provide the ideal environment for healthy plants, clean your unit thoroughly before planting new seedlings.
Use Distilled Water
As we mentioned earlier, distilled water is the best type of water for an Aerogarden. Other types of water may contain high levels of dissolved minerals that can damage the pump.
Pros And Cons Of An Aerogarden
The most obvious benefit of an Aerogarden is that you can grow plants in the comfort of your own home all year long.
Let’s explore a few more benefits as well as some disadvantages.
Aerogarden Pros
Plants grow fast: Plants grow faster in an Aerogarden than in a traditional garden with soil. This is because the roots are directly submerged in nutrient-filled water, meaning the roots can easily absorb nutrients.
Suitable for small spaces: If you love gardening and don’t have a yard or extra space at home, an Aerogarden is the perfect solution. You can grow many plants in the small space provided in an Aerogarden. Plus, the unit is so light that you can carry it into any room.
Aerogarden Cons
High cost: Most of Aerogarden models are expensive. A good option may be to wait for discounts or sales to keep your costs down.
Limited number of plants: If you are growing bushy plants, you may not be able to fit many of them in a single Aerogarden. You may need more than one unit. For example, you may only be able to grow two cherry tomato plants in one unit.
In Closing
The Aerogarden has changed the way we grow plants. To use an Aerogarden, you only need water, light, and nutrients.
Changing the water is different from adding water to your Aerogarden. The unit alerts you whenever the plants need more water, but don’t forget to change the water at least once a month.
It is best to use distilled water in your Aaerogarden. This type of water is good for the plants and does not damage the unit.
Check out some of our previous posts about hydroponics: