Last Updated: March 22, 2019 (Refresh Now)
Aquatic Life RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Systems
Last Updated: March 22, 2019 (Refresh Now)
7.6
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
735
Old Reviews
463
Unverified
48
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6442 meters
SIZE
Review Analysis - 224 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Water Usage
68gallons, ro, aquarium, tds, di
+75%
-25%
" ... Does come with some white 1/4 tubing for supply water aka sink attachment. ... "
" ... The water output is excellent. ... "
" ... Great for someone who does no need a massive amount of RO water. ... "
" ... I am very satisfied with this product and would recommend it for anyone in the aquarium hobby or using this filtered water for drinking (make sure you do not use the de-ionizing cartridge, if you plan on drinking). ... "
" ... Works great still making ro water for salt water aquarium ... "
" ... I have both and in a house with low water pressure the 100 is a million times better. ... "
" ... It took 8 hrs to produce 9 gal of water. ... It produces enough water to fill and operate a modest size aquarium in a reasonable amount of time. ... For me, it was OK because I have free well water. ... "
" ... Water tests clean. ... "
Water Resistance
45aquarium, ro, gallons, chlorine, 0ppm
+62%
-38%
" ... Perfect for aquarium water changes. ... "
" ... After 5 months, the RO Buddy water still tests 3-5 EC, and still produces 50gpd . ... "
" ... It's perfect for reef tank use which is what we purchased it for. ... "
" ... Works great still making ro water for salt water aquarium ... "
" ... This is very good for a saltwater reef aquarium water. ... "
" ... Water tests clean. ... "
" ... It works well so far and I've been using to do water changes in my aquarium. ... "
" ... I increased inlet water pressure and got 1:3.3 good to waste water ratio which exceed expection. ... "
Setup
34ro, membrane, easy to setup, easy to install, di
+97%
-3%
" ... After an easy installation, my RO system is well underway. ... "
" ... It's visually impressive and easy to setup and understand. ... "
" ... Pretty easy to set up and came with instructions I did not need since I thought it was self explanatory. ... "
" ... Comes with everything you need to start, super easy "IDIOT PROOF" setup. ... "
" ... He was very helpful in giving me a reason for the problem. ... "
" ... Setup was quick and direct. ... Very good instructions. ... "
" ... Easy to install and to use. ... "
" ... Need to go to YouTube for installation. ... "
Price
32waste, ro system, ro, price, gallons
+91%
-9%
" ... Got the RO buddy 2 weeks ago for about S$80 which I consider a very reasonable price. ... I'll give a thump up based on current market price, ease of function and meeting my personal requirements. ... "
" ... Nice price have not sit it up yet ... "
" ... Decent unit for the price. ... "
" ... Saw it on sale for about 50 so I had to buy it. ... "
" ... I can't believe the price for this four stage system. ... I have paid considerably more in the past for units that did not perform as well as this one. ... "
" ... Best bang for the buck. ... "
" ... Spend the pennies now, and save in the long haul! ... "
" ... Excellent filter for the price. ... "
Ease of Use
28easy to setup, easy to install, instructions, youtube, waterline
+100%
" ... I use the RO setup without the DI. ... "
" ... It's visually impressive and easy to setup and understand. ... "
" ... Once I figured out how to get a proper connection to the waterline in my place set up and filtration are very easy. ... "
" ... It's pretty easy to connect and install, especially if you watch their installation videos on youtube. ... "
" ... It’s so easy to put together and start getting perfect R.O. ... "
" ... Very nice product no leaks easy to setup I would recommend you get the smart buddy booster pump also to complete the setup it fills my 38 gallon drum in about 10hrs ... "
" ... After an easy installation, my RO system is well underway. ... "
" ... It was easy to set up. ... "
Product Reliability
25membrane, di, unit, thinking, ro
+56%
-44%
" ... I've had it for 6 months now and have 2 tanks I maintain without an issue. ... "
" ... I purchased the 4-stage system on Sunday, July 2nd. ... "
" ... Started using this and i am really pleased with the outcome. ... "
" ... It fixed the problem. ... "
" ... Started using this and i am really pleased with the outcome. ... "
" ... Loosing a star for two reasons, it is around the same price to replace all the cartilages as it would be to buy a whole new unit and if they can make the DI color changing to give a heads up that a filter needs to be changed they should be able to accommodate you with the others as well some how. ... "
" ... It fixed the problem. ... "
" ... Got the RO buddy 2 weeks ago for about S$80 which I consider a very reasonable price. ... "
Build Quality
15tubing, membrane, teflon tape, plastic, wrench
+33%
-67%
" ... Im kinda disappointed with My Ro buddie, because its tubing is very hard to take off. ... I almost feel like I have to break it to pull a tube out. ... "
" ... So i uncapped it and notice a little chunk missing from the rubber gasket . ... I put PTFE tape around the threading to get a better seal from the rubber seal. ... I go to tighten the cap on with slow turns but the cap cracked! ... Not sure what to think at this point because the cracked cap really bummed me out since I'm on a tight budget. ... "
" ... The faucet connector's sections are defective. ... "
" ... At the end I end up breaking the collet and now I do not have not well secured tubing connector. ... "
" ... This thing turned out to be a HUGE let down and nothing more than a pile of plastic tubes. ... "
" ... Unfortunately, this means when you have to try to take the cap off to check or replace the membrane, you need the strength of Hercules to even attempt this feat. ... The included cap wrench is a flimsy piece of plastic with threads that loosely fit over the cap. ... "
" ... Unfortunately, this means when you have to try to take the cap off to check or replace the membrane, you need the strength of Hercules to even attempt this feat. ... The included cap wrench is a flimsy piece of plastic with threads that loosely fit over the cap. ... "
" ... At the end I end up breaking the collet and now I do not have not well secured tubing connector. ... "
Cleaning
13clean, canister, carbon filter, membrane, gallons
+92%
-8%
" ... Ran one tank with 1/2 strength bacteriostatic cleaner - just like new again. ... "
" ... Water tests clean. ... "
" ... The thing that bothers me is that I was filling a 2 gallon bucket of clean water . ... "
" ... I produced 12 gallons of clean water in 7 hours almost on target. ... "
" ... I live on a lake and our water is alot cleaner than most, but it does have more nitrates than I like to have. ... It works really well, it takes about an hour to get 5 gallons, but I figure that's because my city water is pretty clean to begin with. ... "
" ... It's what I wanted but I was hoping I could remove the carbon filter from the canister. ... "
" ... I had to purchase a better charcoal prefilter to eliminate all chlorine smells. ... "
" ... I had to purchase a better charcoal prefilter to eliminate all chlorine smells. ... "
Fit
11cap, di unit, wrench, white, snapping
+27%
-73%
" ... Could not pull the line plugs out. ... "
" ... Di unit leaks from lower fitting. ... "
" ... I put PTFE tape around the threading to get a better seal from the rubber seal. ... "
" ... The pre-filter o-ring was blocking and not seated and no need to over-tighten every fitting. ... Note, when re-attaching the fittings, just past hand tight, like a car's oil filter, don't over-tighten. ... There was one joint that had an o-ring, not the fitting itself but between the fitting and the casing, that hadn't been seated and partially blocking flow . ... "
" ... I was unable to remove it and ended up snapping the white part where you put the blue clip. ... "
" ... I was unable to remove it and ended up snapping the white part where you put the blue clip. ... "
" ... The included cap wrench is a flimsy piece of plastic with threads that loosely fit over the cap. ... Unless I find some other method of prying the cap off without damaging the threads (and risk a further leak), I effectively have a paper weight of an RO/DI unit when my reef tank needs a water change. ... "
" ... The included cap wrench is a flimsy piece of plastic with threads that loosely fit over the cap. ... Unless I find some other method of prying the cap off without damaging the threads (and risk a further leak), I effectively have a paper weight of an RO/DI unit when my reef tank needs a water change. ... "
Cartriges
9di, replacement cartridges, gallons, ro, resin
+78%
-22%
" ... I will update after decrease in production and Di cartridge life span. ... "
" ... I'll be going through 4 DI cartridges a year I figure. ... "
" ... I'll be going through 4 DI cartridges a year I figure. ... "
" ... Also, you can refill DI resin, so you don't need to buy expensive cartridges. ... "
" ... It makes the perfect portable refill station for my reef tanks. ... "
" ... With all possibilities checked, he has sent me a replacement membrane and DI cartridge. ... I will continue to use the unit and will ultimately buy replacement cartridges because I like the ease of use and the small footprint. ... "
" ... With all possibilities checked, he has sent me a replacement membrane and DI cartridge. ... I will continue to use the unit and will ultimately buy replacement cartridges because I like the ease of use and the small footprint. ... "
Overall performance
8slow, affordable
+75%
-25%
" ... Does a great job ... "
" ... Looks like it will do the job ... "
" ... Does the Job ... "
" ... Like most reviews on here, it gets the job done. ... "
" ... It does the job very well and it is affordable. ... "
" ... It does the job very well and it is affordable. ... "
Marketplace
8received, customer, shipping, seller, replacement
+100%
" ... After I got all set up, and tested my water, it came out to a TDS of 1 (as shown in the picture). ... "
" ... It came with free one day shipping and amazing kept it's word for that. ... "
" ... Works as expected. ... "
" ... Just received my RO Buddie today. ... "
" ... Works as expected ... "
" ... The seller replied back, which I appreciate, but this is a simple assemblage issue from the builder. ... "
" ... I also like the way the company has gone out of their way to make sure I, as the customer, am satisfied with their product. ... "
" ... I also like the way the company has gone out of their way to make sure I, as the customer, am satisfied with their product. ... "
Storage
75 gallons, water, tank, gallons, aquarium
+43%
-57%
" ... First five gallons 12 tds, second 5 gallons 55tds. ... "
" ... Leaks like a sieve, whoever pre-assembled this doesn't know how to plumb. ... "
" ... I have a 32 gallon reef tank and a 75 gallon saltwater community tank. ... "
Size
7tank, nice and compact, compact, aquariums
+86%
-14%
" ... Nice and compact. ... "
" ... Works like a charm, if you have small tank, then I would recommend it. ... "
" ... Must have for fish tank and ever drinking water small and compact ... "
" ... Nice small unit for specific purposes. ... "
" ... Nice small unit for specific purposes. ... "
" ... Perfect for people with small aquariums. ... "
ISP
5tds, ro, readjusted, menard, di
+80%
-20%
" ... Still at 0TDS ... "
" ... Still at 0TDS ... "
" ... I use the RO setup without the DI. ... "
" ... I use the RO setup without the DI. ... "
Design
5snapping, remove, blue clip, job
+60%
-40%
" ... I don't yet have the deionizing attachment, but will look into getting it. ... "
" ... Looks like it will do the job ... "
" ... Nice to look at but does nothing for you! ... "
Device Stand
4mount, bracket, easy to install, brackets
+75%
-25%
" ... Wall bracket is fine. ... "
" ... Wall bracket is fine. ... "
Delivery
4unit, today, shipping was fast, received, arrived today
+100%
" ... It came with free one day shipping and amazing kept it's word for that. ... "
" ... Just received my RO Buddie today. ... "
" ... shipping was quick. ... "
" ... Purchased last week, arrived today. ... "
Defective Delivery
4defective, today, thinking, received, replacement
+25%
-75%
" ... The DI unit came defective. ... "
" ... We even returned the first unit thinking it was defective. ... "
" ... We even returned the first unit thinking it was defective. ... "
Battery Life
4hour, hopefully it lasts, gallons
+50%
-50%
" ... Another hour later . ... "
" ... 25% depletion in FOUR HOURS!!! ... "
Cables
3rectified, easilly, collet, canisters, faucet
-100%
" ... The faucet connector's sections are defective. ... "
" ... At the end I end up breaking the collet and now I do not have not well secured tubing connector. ... "
" ... At the end I end up breaking the collet and now I do not have not well secured tubing connector. ... "
Returns
3thinking, menard, defective
+33%
-67%
" ... We even returned the first unit thinking it was defective. ... "
" ... We even returned the first unit thinking it was defective. ... "
Product As Described
3came, advertised
+100%
" ... After I got all set up, and tested my water, it came out to a TDS of 1 (as shown in the picture). ... "
" ... Works as expected. ... "
" ... Works as expected ... "
Hair
3tubing, ends, blade
+67%
-33%
" ... Awesome product, they give you all the tools (razorblade to cut the tubing) you need in the package. ... "
" ... Don't have away with a serated blade like I did, a neater cleaner cut will come from the provided blade. ... "
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Specifications
Body
Size: 6442 meters