Reddit reviews Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon

Since I currently buy my brewing water at the store, I've been considering buying one of these to produce my own RO water. Obviously it's nowhere near the necessary size for what you'd want in your whole house, but it should be okay for getting brewing water ready. Has anybody used something like this before? (they're commonly used for aquariums and for small hydroponic setups)

This unit has been fantastic for me for the past year. After one year of use, it still puts out 0ppm water.

I produce about 3 gallons a day with it (small-ish collection). But obviously it's capable of up to 50 gal/day. Note though that these RO systems put out waste water at a ratio of like 2:1 in my experience (more like 4:1 at the beginning of life), so I have to find something to do with 5-10 gallons of super hard (140ppm) water every day.

If you hate wasting water, consider capturing the waste water in buckets and flush your toilet with it. That's what I do, or occasionally dilute slightly with regular tap water and water your other plants.

The trough was about 60 - https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubbermaid-structural-foam-stock-tanks-50-gal-capacity

I used probably one 50lb bag of peat moss from home depot (20 maybe? I don't really remember how much) plus some left over peralite I had. The terracotta pot was also just laying around.

What you can't see but I very quickly figured out I needed was an RO filter with the 100 degree days we're getting. That was another $50 of amazon. Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_pLpXqAIkA58Rx

So probably 150ish total.

I use this filter - https://www.amazon.com/Camco-TastePURE-Flexible-Protector-40043/dp/B0006IX87S/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Camco+TastePURE+Water+Filter+with+Flexible+Hose+Protector+Greatly+Reduces+Bad+Taste%2C+Odors%2C+Chlorine+and+Sediment+in+Drinking+Water&qid=1559231197&s=gateway&sr=8-1

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Which runs into this RO maker - https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-50-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=ro+buddy&qid=1559231240&s=gateway&sr=8-1

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That I then let run into an unused 6.5gal bottling bucket. I still toss a half a tab of campden in on brew day. Then I build up my water profile with salts/acids from there.

Here is the mobile version of your link

It's RO buddy with the attached DI cartridge.

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_2AuZXCATMFHrh

Aquatic Life DI Color Changing Mixed Bed Resin Cartridge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DSP57BQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_AYC81Ut4FcPwC

Get her going then! LOL

There are cheaper RO units out there but they aren't as efficient or cheap to maintain as the more expensive units. But a cheap RO unit is still better than tap.

$60 RO Buddy

You won't regret the sump, its worth every penny. Allows for stability and places to hide all your equipment. I've ran sumps on all my reefs. Here are some motivation pics and vids.

Old 125 vid

125

Sump

Hello I was having the same issues as you in which my water had a low tds (around 40) and high phosphates so I decided to get an ro unit without the di and I am pretty satisfied. [I went with the ro buddie that gets sold on Amazon for about 55 bucks and it's quite cheaper today.] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zAfmzb2AQ0QVQ) I personally prefer this one because I only need ro water every 2 weeks for water changes on my 10 and 20 gallon shrimp tanks so in total only need about 3-4 gallons every 2 weeks. My ro water comes out at a tds of 3 ppm with the ro buddie but if you want it to come out at zero, you can also purchase the di part as well.

Lol where are you finding that price? I have a couple of friends that use the RO Buddie and really like it.

Thanks, I think I will buy a ro unit. Is this one ok?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DOG63OY/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1421600615&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&dpPl=1&dpID=41CF6VoMfQL&ref=plSrch

As for a protein skimmer, what do you think is the best company?

I'm in the same situation, I got this one. It looks pretty close to yours but cheaper, if you want DI you have to buy that stage separately, i think it's around $30.

I've never had a problem with it leaking or anything, It also works really well. I don't have a TDS meter or anything, but I haven't had any algae blooms. I have to add about half a gallon a day to my 20 gallon to keep up with evaporation, so i'm sure I would have noticed by now if it wasn't doing its job.

The only things I don't like about it is that half the manual is printed on the box instead of in the actual manual. And that you need to buy some 1/4" tubing. Not a big deal, but eh, why couldn't they throw it in?

Here's the cheapest RO unit I could find. Reviews all seem to be positive too.

Yea, I ran into the same thing. Tons of different prices everywhere depending on what you want to get. I highly recommend this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=twister_B00DV4370M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1. Great deal for the price and a lot of us over on the subreddit use it with great success. If you're looking for more help, you should come join us over on the Discord channel at https://discord.gg/kAdFSu5. There are tons of us over there and we're more than happy to help with anything we can.

This is the one I purchased >
https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-100-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY?th=1

I use this. It's pretty economically priced, and works great for me ( I keep delicate shrimp). It doesn't output water FAST, so you'll have to start filling a bucket an hour or so before you start draining the tank, but it's not that big a deal.

My replacement is something like $35 CAD on amazon. Since your tank is so small you'd be fine with a 50gpd unit. I keep a few 5 gallon water jugs filled for water change time, for your tank you'd probably only need one, and it would take ~2.5 hours to fill for your weekly water change on a 50gpd unit.

Something like this would be a great for cost-of-entry: https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-100-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY/

Membranes are inexpensive at 50gpd as well: https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-Membrane/dp/B00DOG656K

Don't use water conditioner. There is lots of other nasty stuff in your tap water other than chlorine. This is the ro unit I have. Get an auto shutoff and the di add-on.

http://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-50-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY

If you buy one off craigslist you will probably need a new ro membrane (they must be stored properly when not being used over a month) and pre filters which will run up the cost.

Ah, it's actually a little more than $50.

https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-50-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480457897&sr=8-1&keywords=ro+buddie

This is a common one saltwater people like to buy. That's the cheapest one I know of that people recommend a lot. (I don't have this one.)

Keep in mind that you can drink RO water as well, and many people buy RO water systems not for fish but for drinking.

I had issues for years with my tap water being around 500ppm from the tap, always caused weird deficiencies and growth. I bought one of these on Amazon for $50

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JwCUCb7AP4JMR

Works great, been pulling the ppm down to 10 now for over a year on the original filters, takes about 4 hours to produce 5 gallons. I have mine draining into my laundry drain with the hose ran to a nearby shower to fill buckets up with.

I personally use this. After a year of use (I average 2-3 gallons a day, including the water I drink), I measure 5-6 ppm on my TDS meter, so well within range still.

https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-50-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500572872&sr=8-1&keywords=RO+buddie

I'm looking at these two RO systems. Should I pay extra for the four stage model at the cost of half the GPD?

4 stage 50 gpd includes deionization filter

3 stage 100 gpd

I got mine for about $160 I believe. Mine included the PH+ mineralization stage. This one in link doesn’t have that but I guess price might of went up. Either way there’s one I see for $50. Get that one... at end of the day it’s gonna be much more cleaner than any other home filter and you probably won’t need the mineral stage

Reviews look good:
Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LWjvCbAV91QC1

APEC Top Tier Alkaline Mineral pH+ 75 GPD 6-Stage Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System (ESSENCE ROES-PH75) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NWZ1RCK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fXjvCbJNVNDBP

I use it for my plants, have been getting ~4g every 3-4 days for a year and a half.

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_R-YWBbBYBWAKF

It’s like this one but 4 stages. It says 50 gallons but it’ll definitely function properly longer than that.

Your link didn't come through for some reason, but this looks reasonable (~$100):

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G8GNWRY

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EDIT: actually this one is cheaper and will probably work fine (has decent reviews): https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-50-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY

There's actually this which I'm really thinking of!

You will want this. Tap water you say? That is the likely culprit. So you will need this, and this. After this your troubles should be gone.

The cheapest regular tanks with black plastic trim are in BigAl's, in store, not online. After Christmas but before New Year they have sometimes good sales. Next, AngelFins (ON) seems to be offering them online. 20 gal long is better than regular shorter shape, more swimming and aquascaping space.

But the main problem is the source of RO water. The cheapest, RO Buddie has no solid carbon block for chloramine, and without it you will have to change cartridges frequently, each of them $17+ and membrane around $50. After figuring out the source of problem, I switched to the cheapest RO filter from Home Depot: with solid carbon core block, large cartridges last for long, easily available, cheap, last close to half of year. This will not fit your budget. Tap water is also possible, but you could get nuisance algae growth r deaths if they release something in water main for maintenance.

Everything below is necessary and at lowest price, without tax and shipping. Check by yourself if it fits your budget.

Salt mix could be any, the cheapest is Instant Ocean or other on sale. ReefSupplies.ca, PetsAndPonds, AngelFins, BigAlsPets. If you are on the West coast, J&L Aquatics. Add ~$20 shipping. If you have any reef supplies nearby, buying in person could save money on shipping. Refractometer, at Amazon should be ~$18, make sure that scale is in 1.024 on the left, 35 ppt on the right, not 0/00. TDS meter to control quality of RO water (when change cartridges) also on amazon, HM digital, mine is blue at $25, with calibration solution for it, 342 ppm.

Filter:

• if canister filter, min $100 (ReefSupplies or PetsAndPonds),
  
  
• if HOB, power filter, large AquaClear is $90 at P&P,
  
  
• DIY filter could cost more than ready made.
  
  Powerhead, 1-2, for a flow. Koralia, $35, at ReefSupplies or Fluval Sea at P&P. MaxiJet is a bit cheaper but large.
  
  Water pump for mixing salt, MaxiJet, ~$30 . Heater for mixing salt, WalMart Tetra 200W, ~$16.
  
  Heater, choose by yourself. Tetra is the cheapest, but looks not nice and has preset 78F, on the lower side. 79F would be better. Adjustable heaters are more expensive and could not hold temperature at required range, then you might need external temperature controller like InkBird. Jager, Aqueon, Marina Precision, starting from $32 on Amazon.
  
  Reef rock you have to compare prices by yourself, too many of them and most of them are out of your price range. ReefSupplies seems to be the best, $74 plus heavy shipping. Live rock at Big Als is ~$8/lb. You could try local classifieds, if someone is going out of hobby. Last resort: gardening centres and landscaping companies, see if they have porous alkaline rock. Or DIY reef rock, not for doing this in apartment.
  
  Substrate: sugar sized aragonite is most common, but you can get by without substrate, bare bottom.
  
  Test kits: API is bottom line, $11-13 each, ammonia, nitrite, for cycling; nitrate, phosphate for controlling nutrient export, calcium, KH and high range pH for monitoring stability of water parameters and Salifert magnesium, $25. At AF, P&P, RS.
  
  Lights also could be out of budget, ask advice for this tank size for the low cost lights. Nicrew from Amazon might work. 165W could be too hot, read reviews for this tank size. PAR38 LED create cone of light, 1 sq ft. Even daylight shoplight from Canadian Tire, wrong spectrum for marine tank, could be comparable in price.
  
  Additives: Ca, alk, Mg, only when necessary. ESV B-Ionic in gallon size is economical at P&P. Or dry additives.
  
  Seachem Prime as water conditioner, dechlorinator and your safety net in case of ammonia spike. $10-20, depends on bottle size.
  
  Thermometer, as low as $2 in AF, micro size.
  
  Fish, invertebrates, coral frags, their food, variety of it. DIY recipes are online. I'm getting mine from local reef stores. $20 common small fish, $13 small frag, $4-8 snail, $4 hermit crab.
  
  Hope that I didn't miss anything.
  
  What will fit your budget, but not your requirements: fishless pico on bottled distilled water from grocery store or pharmacy, simplest 1, 2, or simpler in hardware, but more work with trimming and corals placement: Reef Vase and ReefBowl. Vases of this size are not available in Canada, at lest where I am, available are way too small to fit heater and coral frag.

I got RO Buddie on Amazon. I hook it up in the shower and use 5 gallon water bottles I found at Walmart. It's really amazing how clean the water is! As I have mostly bettas and tetras I remineralize by mixing with my tap water.
https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-50-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519119901&sr=8-1&keywords=ro+buddie

Just FYI, you can pick up an RO Buddy three stage and a DI canister for the grand total of around $85 on Amazon.

Steer clear of tap water, even with the conditioner. As I previously posted elsewhere in this thread, tap water carries with it stuff that we don't care about, but our tanks do, like free silicates or cyano.

One of the first results when using Amazon is this.

Personally I use and can recommend the Dennerle RO system, but I don‘t think they‘re available outside germany.

https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life-Reverse-Osmosis-50-Gallon/dp/B00DOG63OY
It's gone up a little since I purchased. Little creative home depot, I used garden hose splitter and tapped off my washer. The discharge ran into sump pit. I bought the extra float valve kit and let it fill a 5 gal bucket at a time that has a drain nozzle I drilled into the bottom. Works pretty well.