Automatically Refill Your AeroGarden!

[John J]

I know this question has been asked several times.

What do I do with my AeroGarden when I have to go out of town for a few days?

I have a very simple solution. Please see the attached document.

[John J]

I was finally able to attach the file if you are interested. See above.

[topry]

Very clever (and simple) - thanks for sharing.

[AeroManiac]

Brilliant idea!

[MacTech]

Brilliantly simple!, well worth a Kudos

Hmm, I wonder if one could be constructed using a one or two liter soda bottle, the narrower neck of the soda bottle would fit inside the pod hole more securely...

Yes, a soda bottle does fit securely in the hole, also, a 32 ounce Glaceau VitaminWater bottle with a short piece of aquarium air-line tubing through the lid seems to work as well, you do have to prime it to get it started, but it does work, maybe putting a slightly larger diameter air-line hose would work without priming

[John J]

Brilliantly simple!, well worth a Kudos

Hmm, I wonder if one could be constructed using a one or two liter soda bottle, the narrower neck of the soda bottle would fit inside the pod hole more securely...

Yes, a soda bottle does fit securely in the hole, also, a 32 ounce Glaceau VitaminWater bottle with a short piece of aquarium air-line tubing through the lid seems to work as well, you do have to prime it to get it started, but it does work, maybe putting a slightly larger diameter air-line hose would work without priming

A larger diameter line will most likely work without priming. I had the same issue at the beginning that is how I finally settled in the 3/8 ID hose. The smaller one stopped several times. Mine has been running for 3 weeks now without fail. Have to fill the bottle every 3 - 3 1/2 days.

The other nice thing is right when you walk in the room, if you see water in the bottle, you know the garden is full.  There is no need to lift the lid and look!

I think I will patent it real quick before AeroGarden see's it and sells it for $69.95.  HA HA!

[MaryH]

A simple and great solution.  Worth a kudos.

[shane arthur]

outstanding mod, kudos for that one!

[John J]

Well it's been over 3 1/2 months and the Automatic Waterer has worked without fail. I am now constructing one out of a 2 gallon water jug. The type you put in your refrigerator that has the spout on the end. It will most likely have a connection on the spout with two hoses for my two gardens. The hoses will then be attached (glued) inside two baskets so they can just be plugged in. Again, the only downfall is you need an open planting hole which I usually have with most plants.

[Northerngal]

Thanks for the update and the great idea! I hadn't seen this thread before and with my SS6 I wont need to use an empty pod space, just cut the hole in the lid off-center.  The SS6 has a fill hole in the deck already!

[Moontiger]

I think I will patent it real quick before AeroGarden see's it and sells it for $69.95.  HA HA!

Great idea -- if you have some extra time, you could probably make a small fortune on these selling on eBay or someplace.

Thanks for the great design; definitely going to try it.

[Ellen]

How did I miss this post before now? What a great idea John! Kudos for this.

[ninalp]

I wish I had known about this some months ago when I went on vacation and came home to a dried up AG.  I'm a bit lazy- but this seems that it isn't that difficult.  Thanks for sharing.

[Marge]

What do I do with my AeroGarden when I have to go out of town for a few days?

I have a very simple solution. Please see the attached document.

I have seen this.  What would you do if you were going to be on vacation (holiday) for nine days and your garden is still under warranty?  Let us assume you have no one who can come in and check your gardens.  What would you do if it was no longer under warranty?  Pictures are very helpful! 

[John J]

Not sure what you mean by "Still under Warranty" or "Out of Warranty"? Did you see the attached document at the very top with the pictures?

[Ellen]

Marge, if it is out of warranty and the pump/airstone/plants have issues because of lack of water, I think you are out of luck. You need to find someone to water it if you are gone for 9 days. That a little long to leave them unattended.   

[Marge]

Marge, if it is out of warranty and the pump/airstone/plants have issues because of lack of water, I think you are out of luck.

If your Aerogarden is no longer under warranty, you might drill holes or make some other significant changes because you have nothing to lose and strongly believe you can improve the product with your changes.  On the other hand, if you made those same changes to an AG still under warranty, you would make your warranty null and void.

[John J]

I think I understand now. However, I did not drill any holes so the warranty is not an issue. Even the larger one (hopefully 2 gals) I am going to work on will have the hose glued into on of the baskets so it can be easily inserted and removed.

[buzz_lightyear]

Well it's been over 3 1/2 months and the Automatic Waterer has worked without fail. I am now constructing one out of a 2 gallon water jug. The type you put in your refrigerator that has the spout on the end. It will most likely have a connection on the spout with two hoses for my two gardens. The hoses will then be attached (glued) inside two baskets so they can just be plugged in. Again, the only downfall is you need an open planting hole which I usually have with most plants.

Sorry to bump an old thread, have you created this mod? Any photos or instructions? I buy my distilled water in these spouted 2.5 gallon jugs and it would be nice to have the AG filled automatically 

[John J]

Not a problem bumping the thread. Sorry to say, no I have not finished the bigger one as I have not needed it yet. I do have a nice 1 gallon and 2 gallon jug both with spouts and the piece of hose. Not sure what size I was going to do? As I mentioned I was just planning on gluing the hose into the spout on the jug and then into a basket so it could be plugged into an open spot in the garden. The problem is the jug will need to sit slightly higher than the deck on the garden and my gardens are on the top shelf of a book shelf right now. I will have to figure that one out?

However, the original one I made is still working without issue. As a matter of fact I set it up this morning as I will be out of town for several days.