AquaticLife RO Buddie 75 GPD Owner's manual

RO Buddie®75 GPD Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
For technical assistance or
warranty issues, contact Aquatic Life at
[e-mail]
WARNING: Before installing
this unit, find out if you have
Chloramines in your water supply.
Contact your local water company
for this information. If you have
Chloramines, please refer to
page 19 prior to installing your
RO Buddie. Failure to do so may
result in a ruined RO Membrane
and poor filtered water quality.
Thank you for purchasing an Aquatic Life RO Buddie® Reverse Osmosis System.
When maintained properly, this unit will provide you with years of service.
OVERVIEW
Reverse osmosis is the process of removing
contaminants from tap water using a special
semi-permeable membrane. By applying
water pressure across the membrane,
contaminants are concentrated on one side of
the membrane and filtered water on the other
side of the membrane. Therefore, reverse
osmosis units have a waste water
line as well as a filtered line.
In addition to the membrane, water is filtered
prior to the membrane with a sediment
cartridge to remove larger particulates, and
a carbon block to remove chlorine and other
materials.

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RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
Contents
1/4" Tubing (20')Adjustable Float with
Rubber Washer
Hose Bib
Adapter
450cc
Flow Restrictor
1/4" Inline
Check Valve
1/4" Press Fit
x 1/2" FPT
RO Membrane
Housing
Cartridge Clips (4) Mounting Clips (2) Auto-Shuto Solenoid
75 GPD RO Membrane
Membrane Cap Wrench
2-piece
Faucet Adapter
Mounting
Screws (2)
Single-Edge
Razor Blade
Collar Tool Installation, Operation
& Maintenance Guide
Sediment
Cartridge
Carbon
Cartridge
Contents
RECOMMENDED TOOLS FOR INSTALLATION - Phillips Screwdriver • 7/8" Drill Bit

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RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
STAGE 1:
SEDIMENT FILTER
Recommended change
3-6 months or 1,500 gallons
total or 400 gallons of
filtered water
STAGE 2:
CARBON BLOCK FILTER
Recommended change 1,500
gallons total or 400 gallons
of filtered water
(at 1 ppm chlorine)
STAGE 3:
RO MEMBRANE
Recommended change
12-24 months
S C RO
BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR RO SYSTEM BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR RO SYSTEM
NOTE: Filter cartridges and
membrane life may vary based
on local water conditions
and amount of use.
The second stage of your RO unit
is a carbon block filter.
The activated carbon reduces
chlorine and conditions the
water prior to the RO membrane.
The first stage of your RO unit is a
five micron sediment filter that traps
sediment and other particulate matter
like dirt, silt and rust which will aect the
taste and appearance of your water.
The RO membrane reduces impurities
known as total dissolved solids (TDS)
from the water down to 1/10,000 of a
micron, reducing arsenic, lead, parasitic
cysts, copper and more. Because the
process of filtering the high-quality water
takes time, it is common to use a storage
tank to collect filtered water, making it
available on demand.

6 7
RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
REMOVING TUBING from the Press Fittings INSTALLING TUBING in the Press Fittings
Push &
Hold
Hold
Pull
5/8"
2x
Pull
Remove the blue clip from the press fitting.Remove the blue clip from the press fitting.
Press in & hold the collar on the Press Fitting.
Using the Collar Tool makes this easier.
Continue to hold the collar while pulling
out tubing.
Reinstall the blue clip. Your tubing is now
secure & water-tight.
Mark the tubing 5/8" from end.
Push the tubing into the fitting. You will hit
the first stop. The tubing is still not secured
properly. Push the tubing a second time until
it reaches the 5/8" mark.
Pull the tubing to ensure it is properly locked
in place & sealed.
11
2
3
5
2
3
4
BEFORE INSTALLING TUBING
TIP: Use the provided Collar Tool to
hold in collar on press fitting while
pulling out tubing.
Collar Tool
Collar IMPORTANT: Use a razor blade to
ensure a clean, even cut. Pinched
tubing or tubing cut at an angle will
not seal properly.
BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR RO SYSTEM BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR RO SYSTEM
SCAN TO VIEW VIDEO
Web Link: qrs.ly/zzbo14d

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RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
WATER SUPPLY INSTALLATION
This unit includes two options for easy
connection to a water supply.
OPTION 1:
Use Hose Bib Adapter to connect to a
standard water faucet (found on the exterior
of houses, utility sinks, & washing machines).
OPTION 2:
Use 2-piece Faucet Adapter to connect to
most kitchen & bathroom faucets.
Step 1:
Remove the existing aerator & all rubber
washers from the faucet.
Step 2:
Install one or both pieces of the sink faucet
adapter depending on the style of your faucet.
Step 3:
Attach the hose bib connection to the other
end of the sink faucet adapter.
MOUNTING THE RO BUDDIE®
Mount to a secure surface using the provided
mounting brackets. Use screws designed for
the mounting surface.
OPERATING GUIDELINES
DO NOT use with water that is
micro-biologically unsafe or of unknown
quality without adequate disinfection
before or aer the unit.
The maximum incoming water pressure for
the unit is 80 PSI.
If the pressure is more than 80 PSI, a pressure
regulator is required. If the water pressure is
less than 40 PSI, a booster pump is needed.
Reverse osmosis filtered water should
not be run through a copper tube.
The pure RO water can leach copper
from the pipe, eventually leading to holes
in the pipe.
DO NOT operate the unit unattended.
STORAGE
If you don't plan to use the RO Buddie for more
than two weeks, disconnect the unit from the
water supply and place in an air-tight bag.
Keep in the refrigerator or other cool place.
DO NOT ALLOW THE UNIT TO FREEZE.
NOTE: If your model includes
rubber plugs on any of the ports,
it is now OK to remove the plug
by simply pulling it out.
Remove all
shipping plugs
Hose
Bib
Adapter
2-piece
Faucet
Adapter

10 11
RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
IN OUT
IN OUT
Carbon
Sediment
Membrane
Carbon
Sediment
Membrane
Carbon
Sediment
Membrane
CONNECT TUBING
Step 2: Connect the other end of the
supply tubing to the top "IN" port of the
Auto-Shuto Solenoid.
Step 1: Connect a section of tubing
to the water supply.
Step 3: Connect a section of tubing
to the top "OUT" port on the Solenoid.
Step 4: Connect the other end to the top port
on the Sediment Cartridge.
Step 5: Connect a piece of tubing from the
"OUT" port of the Membrane to the "IN"
port of the Check Valve
Step 6: Connect a piece of tubing from
the Check Valve to the bottom "IN" port
of the Solenoid.
Step 7: Connect a FILTERED line to the
bottom "OUT" port of the Solenoid.
Connect a WASTE line to the Flow Restrictor.
Run both lines to a Floor Drain or Sink as
you'll be flushing the Carbon Cartridge and
Membrane in the following steps.
IMPORTANT: When installing
the Auto-Shuto Solenoid, the side
with the four screws should be
facing down.
IMPORTANT: The arrow on
the Check Valve shows direction
of water flow.
5/8"
5/8"
Screw Side
Down
5/8"
5/8"
1/4" Tubing
Sediment
Cartridge
Check
Valve
Bottom
"IN" Port
Bottom
"OUT" Port
Flow
Restrictor
Floor Drain or Sink
WASTE
FILTERED
IMPORTANT: Carbon Cartridge
must be flushed prior to using the
RO Buddie.
FLUSHING THE CARBON
CARTRIDGE
With both filtered water and waste water lines
in the drain, turn on the water supply.
This will flush the filter cartridges prior to
installing the membrane and extend the
membrane life.
Flush for 5 minutes or until water from
both lines runs clear. Turn o the water
supply and allow the RO Buddie to drain.

12 13
RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
INSTALLING THE RO MEMBRANE
Step 1: Remove the tubing attached to the
elbow fitting on top of the RO membrane.
Remove blue clip, press & hold collar while
pulling out tubing.
Step 2: Unscrew the membrane housing lid
from the membrane housing.
Use membrane wrench if necessary.
Press & hold collar
Membrane Wrench
Remove tubing while holding in collar Black gasket
Step 3: Remove the membrane from the
plastic bag and insert into the membrane
housing. The black gasket should be towards
the cap end.
INSTALLING THE
RO MEMBRANE (cont.)
IMPORTANT: The membrane
should be inserted so that the
top of the plastic pipe in the
membrane is flush with the top
of the membrane housing.
IMPORTANT: All RO Membranes
contain a preservative to keep
them sterile. It is important to
flush the preservative out of
the membrane prior to using the
filtered water.
Turn on the water to the RO Buddie.
FLUSH THE MEMBRANE FOR
30 MINUTES.
DISCARD ALL WATER
FROM THIS FIRST 30 MINUTES
OF OPERATION.
Step 4: Replace the cap and tighten with
the supplied wrench. Re-attach the tubing
and replace the blue clip.
Incorrect
Correct
FLUSHING THE RO MEMBRANE

14 15
RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
Carbon
Sediment
Membrane
CONNECT FLOAT VALVE
Connect FILTERED water line to the float Valve. Your RO Buddie is now ready for use!
Float Valve
FILTERED
SUPPLY
WASTE
Container
Filtered Water
CONNECTION DIAGRAM

16 17
RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
REVERSE OSMOSIS FILTER
BASICS
The membrane does most of the work by
removing up to 96-98% of the TDS from your
water. The other two included filters protect
the membrane from the many malicious
elements that shorten its life. The sediment
cartridge removes suspended particles larger
than 5 micron. The carbon block removes
chlorine. Timely replacement of the cartridges
will increase the membrane’s life.
The carbon cartridge is the most important
cartridge to change frequently. The carbon
cartridge can filter about 1,500 gallons of water
before being replaced IF your chlorine level
is 1 ppm. With a 2 ppm you should filter 750
gallons of water before needing to change, with
a 3 ppm you should get 500 gallons, and so on.
Any chlorine not absorbed by a spent carbon
cartridge will break down your Membrane, thus
greatly shortening its life.
When the sediment cartridge needs to be
changed, the production of water will reduce.
Even with reduced water production, the
cartridge will not allow anything larger than
five micron to pass through the chamber. On
average the sediment cartridge should be
changed at every other carbon change.
With proper filter changes, the membrane
could last up to two years. The membrane’s
water production rating is based on 77°F water
at 65 PSI. Any deviation from this will aect the
water production. Reference the conversion
table at right. You will notice that the warmer
the water, the better the production. It is not
advised that you introduce water from your
water heater to increase water temperature.
The membrane can't handle temps over 100°F.
UNIT MAINTENANCE
Recommended change 3-6 months
Sediment Filter Cartridge (Item # 330249)
Carbon Block Cartridge (Item # 330250)
12-24 Month Maintenance
RO 75 GPD Membrane Cartridge
(Item # 330650)
NOTE: Cartridge & membrane
life are dependent on multiple
factors, including the quality of the
incoming water supply (TDS levels,
chlorine, etc.) and the amount of use.
Recommended replacement is based
on average usage.
TROUBLESHOOTING
• Leaks at the threaded connection:
If once installed the unit should leak, use
plumbers tape on the threaded fitting.
Typically, no more than three wraps will be
required to seal the connection.
• Leaks at the tubing connections:
The fittings on the RO Buddie use an
o-ring inside of them. This will require the
tubing to be inserted past the o-ring. You
will want to make sure that when inserting
the tubing you feel the initial stop when the
tubing first meets the o-ring and a second
stop when you push past the o-ring and
meet the end inside the fitting. This is what
we call the “double push”. Also, make sure
to cut the tubing with a razor or similar
object so that the tubing is not pinched
and causes the tubing to not seal properly.
• No water production:
Make sure the water supply is turned OFF.
Remove the tubing from the elbow on top
of the membrane housing, direct the
tubing into a container and turn on the
water. Does the water flow quickly
through the cartridges? If not, the
cartridges likely need to be changed.
• Low filtered water production:
The RO membrane is rated to produce the
stated volume of water based on 65 PSI
and a 77° F water supply. If you have one
or both specifications out of tolerance,
use the Temperature and Pressure
correction factors from charts on
previous page.
IMPORTANT: Tubing should
insert 5/8" inside the Press Fitting
when property installed.
Example
An RO membrane production rate at
77º F, 65 PSI = 75 gallons per day.
What is the production rate at 50º F?
Answer
Use the temperature correction factor
(from table above) = 0.58
New production ow rate at 50º F
is 75 x 0.58 = 43.5 gallons per day.
Temperature
Correction
Temp.
F/C
Correction
Factor
50/10 0.58
60/16 0.73
70/21 0.87
77/25 1.00
80/27 1.06
90/32 1.23
100/38 1.45
Pressure
Correction
Pressure
PSI
Correction
Factor
Less than 40 PSI
requires a
booster pump
40 0.1 to 0.2
50 0.4 to 0.5
65 1
70 1.05 to 1.15
80 1.25 to 1.35

18 19
RO Buddie®75 GPD
Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide www.aquaticlife.com
SCAN TO PURCHASE SCAN TO PURCHASE
Sediment Cartridge
Mfg # 330249
Amazon # B00DOG6614
Web Link: qrs.ly/wndeqp8
Carbon Cartridge
Mfg # 330250
Amazon #B00DOG66RI
Web Link: qrs.ly/tndeqqg
CHLORAMINES
Supply water treated with Chloramines is dierent
than Chlorine. The Carbon Cartridge removes
Chlorine. When Chloramines are present, a
special filter is required.
FAILURE TO USE A CHLORAMINE FILTER WILL
QUICKLY DESTROY YOUR RO MEMBRANE &
PROVIDE POOR FILTERED WATER QUALITY
Chloramine Filter
Mfg # 540695
Amazon #B09HVDK9FV
Web Link: qrs.ly/aydeqrh
SCAN TO VIEW VIDEO
Adding a Chloramine Filter
to RO Buddie
Web Link: qrs.ly/b7ch2ra

RO Buddie®75 GPD Model: 540714
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
LIMITED WARRANTY
Lifetime Products LLC warrants that this Reverse
Osmosis Unit (excluding cartridges and membrane)
shall be free from defective components and leaks or
cracks due to defects in materials or workmanship for
a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase. If a
defect is shown, Lifetime Products LLC will, at Lifetime
Product’s sole discretion, either repair or replace
the product without charge. No cash refunds will be
made. This warranty is provided solely to the original
consumer purchaser of the product and may not be
transferred or assigned. If Lifetime Products chooses
to replace the equipment, Lifetime Products may
replace it with reconditioned equipment. Parts used in
repairing or replacing the equipment will be warranted
for 90 days from the date the equipment is returned to
you or the remainder of the original warranty period,
whichever is longer.
This warranty does not apply to damage resulting from
accident, misuse, abuse, lack of reasonable care, failure
to follow safety and installation instructions.
This warranty will be void if defects occur due to failure
to observe the following conditions:
The Aquatic Life RO Buddie Unit should only be
connected to a potable municipal or potable well cold
water supply.
Do not use with water that is of unknown quality without
adequate disinfection before or aer the unit.
• Incoming total dissolved solids (TDS) not to
exceed 1,800 ppm.
• Incoming water to the RO cannot exceed 100°F.
• Incoming water pressure must be between
40 and 80 PSI.
• Incoming water pH must not be lower than 2
or higher than 11.
• Incoming water iron content must be less than
0.2 ppm.
• Incoming water hardness must not exceed
10 grains per gallon or 170 ppm.
• Do not use outdoors or in a location that is
subjected to direct sunlight or freezing.
This warranty will not be eective unless and
until the Aquatic Life product is shown to have
been used in accordance with the installation
and maintenance instructions accompanying
the product.
THIS CONSTITUTES LIFETIME PRODUCTS ENTIRE
WARRANTY AND LIFETIME PRODUCTS MAKES NO
OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT. LIFETIME
PRODUCTS, LLC SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND
ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IF LIFETIME
PRODUCTS, LLC CANNOT LAWFULLY DISCLAIM IMPLIED
WARRANTIES UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, ALL
SUCH WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION
OF THIS WARRANTY.
LIFETIME PRODUCTS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECT,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY OR
CONDITION, OR UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
LIFETIME PRODUCTS, LLC EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS
ALL ALLEGED DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF MARINE LIFE,
PERSONAL INJURY, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Some states and provinces do not allow the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages
or exclusions or limitations on the duration of implied
warranties or conditions, so the above limitations or
exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights that vary by state or province.
Lifetime Products, LLC shall not have any obligations
under this warranty unless the owner notifies Lifetime
Products, LLC in writing of any alleged defect(s) within
30 days of discovery of the defect(s).
Any notice to Lifetime Products, LLC must be delivered
by United States or electronic mail to the following
address: U.S. Mail: Lifetime Products, LLC, 9710
Klingerman St., S. El Monte, CA 91733 or electronic
mail: [e-mail]. Lifetime
Products shall be allowed a reasonable period of time
to investigate any warranty claim and to perform
any testing Lifetime Products deems necessary to
determine the cause of the defect. This warranty shall
be interpreted under the laws of the State of California.
Lifetime Products, LLC
9710 Klingerman St. | S. El Monte, CA 91733
www.aquaticlife.com
REV. 11/2022