Just orderd an Aerogarden 3

any tips for a beginner, i've been "studying" you-tube videos and reading some posts. I think i will use Farm Nutes instead of the nutes it comes with.Cant really add light like i've seen done, any tips will be appreciated.
thanks and keep cheifin.

My tips....1. You can't give too much air to the roots 2. Start out using 1/2 strength nutes until you get the right recipe you want 3. More light will pay for itself with your first batch

Good luck

Chief:
1. don't over do it. The Aerogarden; the complete, self contained, table top growing system can handle two plants but three is pushing it.
2. I've had good luck with Technaflora's, "Recipe for Success," from seed germination all the way to harvest. I strongly recommend it. Exploder's idea of using 1/2 strength nutes is right on. Most of the complaints you hear at these forums are from folks who burned their plants on full strength nutes. Once you see how they react you can go full strength. You're right about A/G's nutes, they're not good for what we want to grow.
3. Keep your pH under control. Adjust it daily back to 5.8 and change your nutes and clean your reservoir every week to ten days at the most. With Aerogardens cleanliness is Godliness.
4. Close off any sources of light that will get into your reservoir or you'll have algae issues. A/G makes some great plugs to cover the holes you aren't using. And keep your lights close; 1" to 2" over the tops of your plants.
5. A five gallon Wal-Mart aquarium air pump, a one way check valve in the line and air an stone will do a good job of adding oxygen to your nutes and super charging your plants.
6. To better use the light that God, Aerogarden and the utility company gave you put some Mylar covered aimed reflectors around your Aerogarden to recycle the light you already paid for back up to the parts of your plants that are usually in shadows and you can get buds all the way down to the planting deck.
7. Last but not least, read everything A/G gave you with your unit, what's on line at their website and get to know the folks at customer service. They'll be very helpful and it's a free 800 number. In your spare time read Cervantes and Rosenthal and you should enjoy the experience.
Good luck. HSA

thanks for the tips...I keep reading about ph levels...how do you adjust/maintain ph levels?

Cheifin: it sounds like you haven't done your homework, and believe me in growing what we do it's very helpful. If you plan to learn as you grow the only ones who are likely to suffer are your plants and your ego. If you're serious about growing your own I would suggest your read: "MARIJUANA BUDS FOR LESS GROW 8 OZ. FOR LESS THAN $100," by SeeMoreBuds, Ed Rosenthal's, "MARIJUANA GROWER'S HANDBOOK," Jorge Cervants's, "MARIJUANA HORTICULTURE THE INDOOR/OUTDOOR MEDICAL GROWER'S BIBLE," and Keith Roberto's, "HOW TO HYDROPONICS." These are all good resources that will save you a lot of grief.Subscribing to "HIGH TIMES," is also a good idea as they have little pearls of wisdom in almost every issue.

Some community colleges and university extension programs offer hydroponic gardening courses at reasonable prices. Some of the bigger hydro companies like Discount Hydroponics at Riverside, California offer free 'Sunday school' for interested parties. The only down side is that you have to couch your questions in class because none of these schools want trouble with big brother.

You can get some help from forums like this but their advice isn't always accurate, specific to your needs or timely enough to really be helpful when you need it. I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear but it may save you a lot of heartache. HSA

HSA
i have Marijuana: 5 easy gardens by Cervantes...and i've read that...i've also got a stack of Hightimes, and my posting questions IS in fact me "doing homework." Thanks for your previous tips though, i will be using the advice.