[QUOTE="SICC";2032433]AL is an idiot,[/QUOTE]
Uhm, just because his opinion isn't the same as yours doesn't make him an idiot, you are kind of being a dick bro.
AL, it seems you have some deep emotional issues involving the Aerogarden, I totally understand everything you are saying about it not having a good lumen output/light intensity/ penetration, tiny res, and high cost.
I definitely agree that the AG is pretty over priced for what it is, a small dwc with a suspended light fixture and fancy lil programs. I think the reason so many new growers like to use it is because it is very simple, also, it alerts you when the nutes and water need to be refilled. Not to say anyone who isnt mentally challenged would not know when to do this otherwise but hey, nifty feature.
I think that the AG isnt as bad as you are making it out to be, yet not some insane tool that works wonders or something, a simple DWC in fact would produce better results for about 12 dollars per bucket.
Solving the problems of the AGarden
Light intensity/penetration- once the clones or seedlings are well established, simply remove the light fixture and use a 400W mh/hps and line the surrounding area with panda film
tiny res- not much you can do here, I believe they make bigger models now however the res isn't all that small and I nor many other growers don't mind checking up on it at least once a day.
As for the cost, you are grossly mistaken, the AG is cheaper as a whole setup than any other grow op, most tents alone are over 200. I don't know where you get your lights bro but I pay 200 plus for a 400W. Not to mention the fans, ducting, ac, pots, medium, and all that jazz. HOWEVER you could easily pay the same price for something like a flood and drain table and would get better results for more plants. But if you had 1 plant in flood and drain and one in AG following what I just said, I doubt you would be able to see much of a dif in the yield.
(as for the diy systems, some people are just too stupid
)