FAQ

Growing your own food provides numerous benefits, including increased access to fresh, organic produce, the ability to control what pesticides or fertilizers are used, and the opportunity to develop a deeper connection with nature and a sense of self-sufficiency. Additionally, it promotes sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation and packaging of store-bought food.

The microgreen revolution is here, and it's changing the way we think about farming and nutrition. With the help of hydroponic systems like Aquatree, we can now grow microgreens faster, stronger, and more sustainably than ever before. Not only are these greens delicious and versatile, but they're also packed with essential nutrients that can help boost our immune system, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. In fact, microgreens contain up to 40 times more nutrients than their fully grown counterparts, making them the ultimate superfood. With Aquatree, you can experience the ultimate hydroponic microgreen experience, growing a wide variety of greens with precision and efficiency. So, join the microgreen revolution today and discover the many health benefits of these tiny but mighty greens!

If you are growing protein sprouts or microgreens, the reusable Micro Lid will grow your crops efficiently without the need to purchase any growing medium. However, if you are growing a leafy green like lettuce, you will need to purchase our Growfoam solution. The Growfoam is biodegradable and can be transplanted to soil after germination in the Aquatree.

Yes! The modular nature of the Aquatree allows up to three levels (15 trays) for maximum production. Additional levels are found on the Aquatree marketplace and are 100% compatible with your current unit. If you use more than 2 levels, it is important to consider setting your Aquatree in an overflow tray. Most families will enjoy the volume of produce from one level. If you would like to grow substantial amounts of lettuce, please consider the Aquatree At Home Pro that grow 125 heads of lettuce per month.

Water Flow Aquatree s fluid dynamics takes Hydroponics to futuristic levels. Every part of the tree has been tested and refined to maximize oxygen absorption and nutrient uptake necessary for your crops to grow healthy and strong. Lighting Our energy efficient lighting system is full spectrum balanced to encourage early leaf formation and to accelerate overall growth.

Finding algae in a hydroponic plant growing system is a common issue and can be detrimental to the health of your plants. Algae growth can compete with your plants for nutrients, light, and oxygen, potentially leading to reduced plant growth and overall system imbalance First of all, it is always best to prevent algae. There are a few simple things that can be done: 1) Reduce the amount of light that is directly hitting the nutrient water 2) Regularly clean and inspect your Aquatree. 3) Maintain good hygiene practice when working with the Aquatree. If you do see algae in your system, your produce is still okay. If you can clean the algae growth on your system, great. If not, you can add a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Start with a low amount and test its effects on your plants before increasing the dosage.

Cleaning the algae is quite simple. Soak the Aquatree part in a mixture of 1 gallon of water and 1 cup of vinegar or 3% hydrogen peroxide. The mixture will break down the algae, making it much easier to clean. Finally, place the parts in the dishwasher to complete the sanitation of the part.

Yes! Tap water is a great water source as the FDA regulates and verifies its quality. We do not recommend using softened water as this will negatively impact your growing experience. If you water is questionable quality, consider adding one AquaTab to the tank to prevent microbacterial growth.

We recommend adjusting the Grow Lights as your plants grow. Keep the height of the lights about 2-3 inches above the height of the plants.

The modular design of the Aquatree is part of the beauty as each tray can grow different crops. It is helpful to consider what you are growing and whether they need light and nutrients as not all crops do. In these cases, it would be wise to separate different crops by level or during a different harvest cycle. For example, you can grow several varieties of lettuce on the top level and five different varieties of microgreens on the bottom level.

We recommend running your pump continuously. However, if you have a device to control the pump on a cycle, we recommend you maintain the water level in the Aquatree such that the roots on crops stay damp to remain healthy. An example would be 10 minutes "on" and then 20 minutes "off".

Simple! If you add a couple of drops of cooking oil to your tank water, the foam will disappear within minutes for most crops. However, there are some crops that produce more foam. For these crops, we recommend a seed pre-soak for several hours before dding them to the Aquatree. If you continue to see foam, the next best course of action is to drain the water from your Aquatree and fill it with fresh water.

The sound you are hearing is water falling from the lowest level spout in your Aquatree into the tank. Many people find the sound of falling water to be soothing. However, if you would like to reduce the noise, raise the level of water in your tank to reduce the distance water must fall back into the tank

At any time you believe you would like to change the water, you may do so. There are several ways to replace the water. 1) Turn off the pump 2) Allow the system to drain all the water back to the tank 3) Connect your drain hose into the top of your spout. As you direct the other end of the hose into a sink or bucket, turn "on" the pump to remove water from the tank. 4) Add fresh water back into the tank. Don't forget nutrients if your crops need them.

For detailed instructions on harvesting, visit the "Grow Masters" section of the website. There is also a great video about harvesting each crop type in the Video Galley on the website.

Yes, the very best light for your crops is the sun - remember to remove the Grow Light when outside. However, it is not recommended to leave the Aquatree outside during a rainstorm.

Harvest timing of all produce is an art. You will find that your crops will have different tastes and texture with different harvest times. The harvest timings provided are basic guidelines, experiment with your Aquatree to find your favorite combinations.

1. Nutrient Burn: Excessive nutrient concentration can lead to nutrient burn, causing the tips of the lettuce leaves to turn brown or yellow. This occurs when the plant's roots are unable to handle the high nutrient levels, resulting in damage to the foliage. 2. Reduced Growth: Surplus nutrients can disrupt the delicate balance required for optimal growth. Instead of promoting healthy development, an overabundance of nutrients can hinder the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients effectively. This can result in stunted growth or slower overall progress. 3. Root Damage: The roots of lettuce plants may become damaged if subjected to high nutrient concentrations. Excess nutrients can lead to root dehydration, root rot, or other root-related issues. Damaged roots impede nutrient uptake, further hampering the plant's growth and overall health. To prevent these problems, it's essential to closely follow the recommended nutrient dosage for lettuce plants in your hydroponic system. Regularly monitor the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) levels of the nutrient solution to ensure they are within the optimal range for lettuce cultivation. Additionally, be mindful of any signs of nutrient deficiencies or excesses and adjust the nutrient levels accordingly.

Yes, it is possible to harvest several crops more than once. However, the subsequent harvest will likely have less nutritional value.

Yes, you may compost any part of the crops.

Yes, the Aquatree is an amazing germinating tool. Plant your seeds in the Growfoam and allow them to germinate. Once the seeds have germinated, remove the Growfoam from the cone and transfer it to a pot or into your garden outside. You can germinate up to 25 plants per level with the confidence that they will be healthy when you transplant them.

Yes, the Growfoam is biodegradable. Learn about Growfoam here: https://growfoam.ag/

Replace the water when it appear cloudy or has many particles floating on the surface. If you are growing protein beans with other crops, we recommend more frequent water changes to prevent bio build up.

Grow Lights are necessary for microgreens and leafy greens. Please use them according the instructions for the seeds you are planting. Seed specific instructions can be found on the product page for each seed or the "Grow Masters" section of the website.

No. The first step is the absorption of water by the seed. Water activates enzymes within the seed and softens the seed coat, allowing it to swell and break. As the seed absorbs water, it swells. This triggers physiological and metabolic changes within the seed, initiating the germination process. Once the seed has a stem it is almost ready to produce a leaf thus requiring light. So, we recommend turning on the grow light around 2-4 depending on how quickly the seed type germinates. However, it is important to note that if your grow lights are on during the germination process, most seeds will grow just fine.

To ensure safety, it is recommended to: 1. Avoid staring directly into the light source, especially at close distances or for prolonged periods. 2. Use protective eyewear, such as specialized grow room glasses or goggles, which can filter out harmful wavelengths and reduce eye strain. 3. Maintain an appropriate distance between yourself and the lights to minimize direct exposure. Following these precautions will help protect your eyes and ensure a safe experience when working with Aquatree grow lights.

The extension is only needed when using the Aquatree Grow Lights. The extension allows the light to be optimally positioned to keep maximum intensity on the growing produce.

Yes, the new light will support the growth of both microgreens and leafy greens. However, the smaller light with only one ring of LEDs is not intense enough to grow leafy greens. Make sure to use the best light for your crops.

The new and larger diameter Grow Light will support the growth of both microgreens and leafy greens. However, the smaller light with only one ring of LEDs is not intense enough to grow leafy greens and was designed to grow microgreens. Make sure to use the best light for your crops.

We recommend cleaning when you think it is dirty or you see active areas of organic build up or algae growth. For detailed instructions on cleaning your Aquatree, visit the "Grow Masters" section of the website or view the User Guide.

The Aquatree utilizes a highly efficient pump and Grow Light. If you run it 24/7 at the national average for electricity cost (.12/kwh), it will cost around $2 per month.

This depends on how well you take care of it and the environmental conditions the unit is subject to, but we have a unit that has been running for nearly 5 years now. This said, the pump and Grow Lights are rated for 25,000 hours of life.

No. While the system is meant to contain and manage water, the Grow Light should be protected from water exposure. The pump is designed to go in water, but is best cleaned by hand and not in the dishwasher.

The warranty on your Aquatree is one-year and you must register your product to activate your warranty. The warranty explanation can be on the link at the footer of any page on the aquatreegarden website.

It is a BPA-free, non-leaching food grade plastic. It is also a medical grade product, approved to be used inside the human body.

Through 8+ years of use, we ve never had a problem with fruit flies! We recommend making sure the environment that the Aquatree would be used in is free of fruit flies. If fruit flies do become an issue, reach out to us and we ll help you address it.

Yes! We have a product roadmap that includes the development of an app. We welcome your input as we continually evolve our products, please share your insights with info@Aquatree.eco.

Aphids are not fun. Handling pest control in your AquaTree is crucial to maintain healthy plant growth. Here are some tips to effectively manage pests: 1- Prevention is Key: Implement preventive measures to minimize the risk of pests entering your hydroponic system. This includes keeping your growing area clean, practicing good hygiene, and regularly inspecting plants for any signs of pests or diseases. 2- Maintain a Clean Environment: Remove any fallen leaves, debris, or dead plant material from your system and look for holes, or unusual growth patterns. Early detection allows for prompt action and helps prevent pests from spreading. 3- Proper Water and Nutrient Management: Maintaining a balanced nutrient solution and providing adequate water to your plants helps promote their overall health and resilience, making them less susceptible to pests and diseases. 4- Organic Solutions: Implement an integrated approach by pruning affected plant parts, using physical barriers like netting, and employing organic pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap (Follow product instruction for application).

The parts are designed to fit snug but not so tight that they can not be separated. Running the parts under warm water should help. Also, you can add a few drops of cooking oil to the surfaces where two parts connect (just rub the oil around the area). This will help with assembling and disassembling.

Yes, nutrients are necessary for growing most leafy green crops and herbs. We currently offer a hydroponic concentrate specifically designed for the Aquatree that delivers everything your plants need for optimal growing. Our solution is crafted from the finest ingredients to increase your success and ease of use. Nutrients are not necessary for growing crops microgreens or bean sprouts. The Aquatree nutrient partners at TPS Plant Foods are continuing to help us develop new nutrient formulas to help our customer grow more diverse crops.

Plants need nutrients and minerals for growth, metabolic functioning, and completion of their life cycle. Plants take in Carbon (C) and Oxygen (O2) in the air from their leaves. All other nutrients are taken up for use in the roots. Macronutrients are consumed in large quantities: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (C), sulfur (S) and magnesium (Mg. Smaller amounts of micronutrients (or trace minerals) are needed: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni). Our water soluble mineral nutrient solutions provide our approved crops with adequate nutrition. Testing is available to see what nutrients are in the water and if the pH is correct, which is necessary for the plant to absorb the nutrients Our solutions are, however, pH balanced to help prevent pH issues such as an absorption lock-out. Nutrient deficiency requiring amending has many causes. Growing certain crops or plants might deplete nutrients. To give context, in traditional agriculture, crops are rotated from year to year with increasing soil fertility in mind. Some plants, like tomatoes, are considered heavy feeders and need frequent fertilization. A problem that a plant exhibits can often be diagnosed as having a deficiency of a certain element. Iron chlorosis, a deficiency in iron, may be one reason why a plant s leaves turn yellow or brown.

Absolutely! All of our nutrient blends contain the necessary elements for plant growth. Start with the formula ratios identified on the label for the specific plant or crop you are growing, and then adjust and experiment until you find the right formula for your specific need.

The pH level of water is a critical factor in hydroponics as it significantly influences plant growth. Different plants have specific pH requirements for optimal nutrient absorption. If the water's pH is too high or too low, it can hinder the availability and uptake of certain nutrients, leading to nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. By maintaining the appropriate pH range (typically between 5.0 and 6.5 for most plants), hydroponic growers can ensure that the nutrients in the solution are in their most accessible forms for the plants to absorb. This promotes healthy root development, nutrient uptake, and overall plant growth in hydroponic systems. Regular monitoring and adjustment of pH levels are essential to provide an ideal growing environment for the plants. If you are concerned about the pH of your water, please order test strips to monitor your water.

Yes! You can own an Aquatree even if you have pets running around! Just be sure to place your Aquatree in a secured, elevated area.

Sprouts are a good substitution for whole grains for animals! There are sprouts that are safe for animals to digest. For example, Chia seeds are good for both Cats and Dogs. Also, the Aquatree can grow Cat Grass, which is healthy for cats in particular! Other sprouts you can give your pet are Pea, Mung protein, Alfalfa, Broccoli, Radish, Clover, and Sunflower microgreens. We also recommend feeding your animal sprouts in tiny amounts.

Consult with your Vet to determine which sprouts to avoid feeding your pet.

To submit a warranty claim, please contact Aquatree Global at info@Aquatree.eco

You can find an electronic version of the User Guide on the Owner Support page of the website

We are continually adding new varieties to our online marketplace. For the most up to date options, please visit https://aquatreegarden.com/seeds/

All of our seeds are organic, untreated, fresh crop, non-GMO, heirloom varieties. They are the highest quality seeds you can purchase. Our seed varieties are hand selected and packaged specifically for the Aquatree. They undergo rigorous testing and screening to ensure they will successfully grow in your Aquatree .

Yes! Our seeds are supplied by USDA-compliant seed harvesters who are licensed in all 50 states. All seeds are lab tested, with accompanying documentation, to ensure they meet or exceed federal germination standards.

Our seed suppliers conduct regular in-house germination and pathogen testing as an additional quality control measure to protect against contamination.

We are currently shipping to the U.S and Canada. We will expand our reach as we continue to grow our company.

When you order seeds, they are shipped directly from our seed partner. All other products will be shipped from Aquatree in South Carolina. Therefore, if you order contains an Aquatree and additional seeds, you will receive your order in two shipments.

The Aquatree is currently available with free shipping to the continental US only! Shipping cost for seeds and supplies still apply, unless you join our team by purchasing a membership. All shipments to Canada will require a tax, duty and customs fee payment. See our Canada Shipping Policy here: https://aquatreegarden.com/canada-shipping-policy/

Yes. You have a 30-day window from your purchase date to return your Aquatree for a full refund. See our Return Policy for more details.

After your order is shipped, you will receive an email with your tracking number. Please use that tracking number to follow the delivery of your order.

Yes, the new Garden Lids and Reusable Micro Lids will work with your existing Irrigation Trays

Yes, the new light will support the growth of both microgreens and leafy greens. However, the smaller light with only one ring of LEDs is not intense enough to grow leafy greens. Make sure to use the best light for your crops.

The new and larger diameter Grow Light will support the growth of both microgreens and leafy greens. However, the smaller light with only one ring of LEDs is not intense enough to grow leafy greens and was designed to grow microgreens. Make sure to use the best light for your crops.

This depends on how well you take care of it and the environmental conditions the unit is subject to, but we have a unit that has been running for nearly 5 years now. This said, the pump and Grow Lights are rated for 25,000 hours of life.

Power may not be getting to the pump. Check to make sure there is power coming to the outlet where the pump is plugged and confirm there is no damage to the power cord.

Power may not be getting to the pump. Check to make sure there is power coming to the outlet where the pump is plugged, confirm there is no damage to the power cord, and make sure the switch after the power converter is turned on.

If you see something white on the roots of your plants, it is most likely root hairs or root rot. Root hairs are fine, hair-like structures that naturally develop on healthy plant roots. They play a vital role in nutrient absorption and are an indicator of active root growth. Root rot is a common condition that can develop due to excessive moisture or poor oxygenation in the root zone. It often appears as a fuzzy or stringy white substance. To determine whether you have root rot or root hairs, it's important to consider the overall health of your plants. If your plants are thriving, growing well, and showing no signs of distress, the presence of white root hairs is a positive sign. However, if your plants exhibit wilting, browning, or stunted growth, it could indicate root rot, and remedial action should be taken. Maintaining appropriate water and oxygen levels in your hydroponic system, ensuring proper nutrient balance, and regularly monitoring your plants' root health can help prevent or address issues like root rot and promote optimal growth.

There are numerous reasons that your seeds may not be germinating. Simply, the individual seed just will not germinate. Every pack of seeds shipped by Aquatree is tested for germination rate and documented on the bag. All Aquatree Seeds meet the required standards. For this reason, we recommend sowing 2-3 seeds in each Growfoam. Another reason for germination issues is that the Growfoam was not seated completely on the Irrigation Tray. If the Growfoam does not touch the Irrigation Tray, the required water will not wick to the seed(s).

Due to the precision manufacturing of the Micro Lid holes, there is an initial break-in period where the water may drain slowly during the first couple of uses. To speed things up, simply scrub the top and bottom of the Micro Lids with warm soapy water.

Hard water contains calcium, magnesium and other minerals that are good for your plants. However, hard water often has higher pH than soft water. Plants in the Aquatree like to grow between a pH of 5.0 - 7.0. The other concern with hard water is calcium deposits on your Aquatree and keeping the system clean. We have had several users of the Aquatree share with us that spraying parts with CLR (Calcium Lime Rust) Remover after a harvest and then placing the parts in the dish washer works great.

Naturally soft water is good and contains the minerals necessary for growing healthy plants. However, hard water that has been softened by a water softener contains salts that as they build up and be harmful to plants. Small amounts of salt will be ignored by your plants, but as the water is absorbed by the plants the concentration of salt in the system will increase over time. So what can you do: 1) We recommend more frequent water changes to reduce the salt build up 2) Use reverse osmosis to filter your water 3) Collect and use rainwater if possible 4) Use bottled water 5) Use your hard water before it is softened and then manage your hardwater pH.

1) Consider purchsing a pH control kit. We are working with our nutrient supplier to begin selling one soon, but we do not have one yet. I recommend pH Down and pH Test Kits from General Hydroponics (Amazon). 2) Use reverse osmosis to filter your water 3) Collect and use rainwater if possible 4) Use bottled water