Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is my second AreoGarden from Amazon. My first one was purchased a year ago, the classic which I was thoroughly pleased. The AeroGarden Classic 7-Pod with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit, Silver. The classic model uses a drip hydroponic method. A small water pump in the reservoir that pumps water over at the top of the seed pods. This model here the AeroGarden 6 Elite uses a small and very low cfm air pump built into the base that pumps the air through a fish tank aerator stone. It creates very little splash water movement in the reservoir unlike the classic. This makes me skeptical AreoGarden may be trying to cut cost on the mechanics and dwelling more on appearance. Only time will tell the truth.
Pros:
Water temp stays cooler (water pump not in water reservoir)
Appearance-big improvement over the classic model
Grow bulbs-(better designed than classic's bulbs. Elite uses a flat more direct light coverage bulbs )
Roots and debris won't interfere with water pump performance
Cons:
Less sophisticated hydroponic method (not a drip method)
Noise- typical of air pump humming
Air pump stone replacement (but replaced for cheap)
Very likely water leaks in the near future (Grommet/hoses bottom of reservoir air line to base)
***Costly bulb replacement on all AreoGarden models***
Bottom line:
Classic has better engineering but the Elite has the good looks
Note: If you do not want to keep repurchasing expensive AreoGarden seed kits. Keep your old pods and moisture caps.
I ordered 100-1" Grodan Rockwool - 2x2x1.5in. Cubes, 50/sheetcubed off the internet. This is a great replacement alternative material that was originally used in the pods. Use your own seeds of choice. I am using General Hydroponics brand General Hydroponics MaxiGro 2.2 lbs. for herbs. I believe I am producing higher volumes of growth than with the AreoGardens nutrients and replacement seed kits.
(In my openion LED lighting would have been a better alternative choice, they can last up to 15yrs+ and may use a little less power, and "many" un-waisted bulbs. Go green AreoGarden!)But of course they want to sell you replacement parts, I guess thats what helps keeps them a float.
***GlowPanel 14 Watt LED Growing Light Panel-Plant Grow Light Rivals 60 Watt Metal Halide/HPS Full Spectrum Growth Lite or Hydroponic Lamp 225 LED Grow light Panel Red Blue 110 V, 2501MXare available on the web. I hope to try this on my older classic when it is time to replace the bulbs again.
Even though it maybe slightly ugly.
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**UPDATE** Item returned
After having this unit for a short time (used 10 days) the humming sound increasingly got much worse. This was not my only issue with the Elite. I thought I would do a test between the Classic and the Elite. Started them both on 12/10/09 but had to end the experiment 12/20/09 due to the annoying humming sound coming from the air pump in the Elite. The Classic model wins hands down in the small time frame on growth as well. I placed new bulbs in my older Classic and using my own seeds, food, and rock wool and re-used old pods. All pods in the Classic had sprouted much sooner and were full 2 ½ tall on the Dill and Tarragon, and Basel is beautifully full. In this time frame Elite and thier Herb Kit had only three pods with tiny growth pale in comparison. The Elite was returned back to Amazon today. I will order myself another Classic or one of the unites that do not use the air pump method.
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AeroGarden 900340-1200 6 Elite with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit, Black with Stainless AccentsGood Morning America calls the AeroGrow AeroGarden, "One of the top new consumer products." The AeroGarden 6 Elite lets you grow abundant herbs, greens, or vegetables for your family 365 days a year in the comfort of your kitchen. No gardening experience or even dirt is necessary. It's a mess-free, user-friendly, low-maintenance process that you don't need a green thumb to use. It sets on your kitchen counter and provides plenty of space for your plants to spread out. It's also trellis-ready for growing full-size tomatoes and other vegetables. The AeroGarden 6 Elite uses NASA-tested aeroponic technology to grow plants in water, nutrients, and air. Aeroponics is a dirt-free growing method in which plant roots are suspended in air within a highly oxygenated growing chamber with 100% humidity. The roots are bathed in ideal levels of nutrients, oxygen, and water, allowing the plants to grow significantly faster, become healthier, and have a higher nutrient content that plants grown in soil. With 6 pods in which to grow food, the Advanced Growing System with computerized Adaptive Growth Intelligence uses high-efficiency lighting and a quiet, low-maintenance chamber that provides more oxygen to the roots. All you have to do is add water, drop in the pre-seeded grow plugs, turn on the AeroGarden 6 Elite, and watch the plants grow in the 6 pods. The grow lights turn on and off automatically, and the computer reminds you via LCD display when to add water and nutrients. You can achieve up to 30% more plant growth. All plants are organically based and 100% natural. A Gourmet Herb Seed Kit and 2 grow bulbs are included. The AeroGarden 6 Elite measures 14 x 10 x 21 inches and is covered by a 1-year warranty.
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