Is Vibrant any different than Vinegar?

w2inc · Dec 3, 2019

Vibrant is the only thing I haven't tried to get rid of bubble algae. The ingredients say something like;

"Ingredients - Cultured Bacteria Blend, Amino Acids, Vinegar, RO/DI Water"

Am I wrong in thinking that is another version of "established tank, fish food, vinegar and water"?

Any thoughts? I would feel kind of cheated I pay $32 for a bottle of vinegar.

csb123 · Dec 3, 2019

It contains bacterial strains that out compete algae for nutrients, and some species that are pathogens of the algae it’s self.

w2inc · Dec 4, 2019

csb123 said:
It contains bacterial strains that out compete algae for nutrients, and some species that are pathogens of the algae it’s self.

Thanks for pitching in. My understanding of vinegar/vodka dosing is that the added carbon promotes the growth of bacteria that out compete algae for nutrients and that a good skimmer will export that bacterium.

It does make sense that nitrifying bacteria would feed on dead algae, but I am not familiar with the species of bacteria that are pathogenic to algae. Can some one point me to more information on that?

It seems like once that bacteria was in a system, there would be no need to add it again as long as it had some algae to eat. Has anyone got experience using a similar bacteria rather than a clean up crew?

I appreciate your feedback.

pdxmonkeyboy · Dec 4, 2019

It works and is not a carbon source like vinegar. It does eventually fade away however. Most people have had really good success with it, I entirelly eliminated bubble alage with it. Some have had adverse effects but I think it's safe to say that it works more than it has caused problems.

It will melt macro algae... so if your running chaeto, take it out.

w2inc · Dec 4, 2019

pdxmonkeyboy said:
It works and is not a carbon source like vinegar. It does eventually fade away however. Most people have had really good success with it, I entirelly eliminated bubble alage with it. Some have had adverse effects but I think it's safe to say that it works more than it has caused problems.

It will melt macro algae... so if your running chaeto, take it out.

I really appreciate you sharing your experience. Since one of the main ingredients is vinegar, and I am under the impression that vinegar is a carbon source. Am I just miss in formed at this point?

If vinegar is a carbon source, it has left me wondering if I could just use straight vinegar, or if the other ingredients are really important to making the product work.

I might be confused as to what a carbon source is, so please feel free to point out any mistakes in my understand.

Old Glory · Dec 4, 2019

The Vinegar feeds the bacteria. The bacteria is the key. Straight vinegar does not contain the strains of bacteria that will feed on and out compete the algae.

To answer your question straight vinegar will not give you the same results as using Vibrant.

Big E · Dec 4, 2019

I have used Algaefix in the past and a few friends I've recommended it to have had the same success.

This is a chemical vs using a bacterial product like Vibrant.

You will get a nutrient spike short term as it will supress all algae, but that's the only drawback.

w2inc · Dec 4, 2019

For what it is worth. I just found this 288 page thread about Vibrant. The first page talks about what is in it. I guess the bacteria is propriety. The sales person states that the vinegar is used as a preservative. Here is the actual breakdown of ingredients.

95% Cultured Bacteria Blend
1% Amino Acids (Aspartic Acid)
0.5% Vinegar - This is used as the preservative
3.5% Other Ingredients (RO/DI Water)

I didn't really see anything that says the bacteria actually attacks the algae but rather it out competes and then eats the decaying mass. All material then is exported through the protein skimmer by way of the bacteria that has eaten it. I am sure that this discussion would be best addressed on that thread.

Vibrant Liquid Aquarium Cleaner * Discussion Thread

i have my old tank thats got an ats. Id love to see it kill the algae. ill pay shipping for a "free" bottle, and ill document the results. Where can I get it? Ive always suspected bacteria may have a bigger role in our systems than algae.

www.reef2reef.com

Kzang · Dec 4, 2019

w2inc said:
Thanks for pitching in. My understanding of vinegar/vodka dosing is that the added carbon promotes the growth of bacteria that out compete algae for nutrients and that a good skimmer will export that bacterium.

It does make sense that nitrifying bacteria would feed on dead algae, but I am not familiar with the species of bacteria that are pathogenic to algae. Can some one point me to more information on that?

It seems like once that bacteria was in a system, there would be no need to add it again as long as it had some algae to eat. Has anyone got experience using a similar bacteria rather than a clean up crew?

I appreciate your feedback.

Vibrants bacteria strains don't reproduce in the saltwater environment which is why you have to keep dosing

Sold4jc7 · Dec 4, 2019

If I remember correctly the vinegar on Vibrant is used as a preservative.

bar|none · Dec 4, 2019

BTW, BRS just did a new video on best media and bacteria products and they talk about test results using Vibrant. I didn't realize it can be used against bubble algae. I've never used it myself.

Are you using the Best Filter Media of 2019?

Bulk Reef Supply ROX 0.8 Carbon Most popular carbon Although ROX 0.8 is the most expensive option, it maintains popularity because of the effectiveness. The tiny pellets are specifically made for filtering water because of the vast surface area

www.bulkreefsupply.com

biecacka · Dec 4, 2019

pdxmonkeyboy said:
It works and is not a carbon source like vinegar. It does eventually fade away however. Most people have had really good success with it, I entirelly eliminated bubble alage with it. Some have had adverse effects but I think it's safe to say that it works more than it has caused problems.

It will melt macro algae... so if your running chaeto, take it out.

any clue on how it would affect an ATS?

Corey

ReefGeezer · Dec 4, 2019

I've never been a fan of bottled "miracles" but a friend recommended Vibrant. I'm on week 5 now. I had a stubborn hair algae issue even though I was dosing 25ml/day of vinegar and using GFO. It wasn't terribly out of control but it wouldn't go away. By week 3, most of the hair algae was gone. I did some things to help it work though... I did 20% weekly water changes just before each weekly dose of Vibrant, changed GFO every 2 weeks, and added a Sea Hare. I have continued dosing the the vinegar. I am dosing 10/ML per week into my 90 gallon tank + sump of maybe 100 gallons. I can't say how it works, but apparently, it does. At least when you give it some help. Anybody need a Sea Hare that loves Hair Algae?

Sold4jc7 · Dec 4, 2019

biecacka said:
any clue on how it would affect an ATS?

Corey

You need to take the ATS offline while you dose Vibrant.

DanConnor · Dec 4, 2019

Given the amount of Vibrant you typically dose, the vinegar is never going to function as a carbon source for the aquarium

w2inc · Dec 4, 2019

Kzang said:
Vibrants bacteria strains don't reproduce in the saltwater environment which is why you have to keep dosing

That is the most reasonable explanation I have heard. Can you point me to a place I can get more information about it?

w2inc · Dec 4, 2019

bar|none said:
BTW, BRS just did a new video on best media and bacteria products and they talk about test results using Vibrant. I didn't realize it can be used against bubble algae. I've never used it myself.

Are you using the Best Filter Media of 2019?

Bulk Reef Supply ROX 0.8 Carbon Most popular carbon Although ROX 0.8 is the most expensive option, it maintains popularity because of the effectiveness. The tiny pellets are specifically made for filtering water because of the vast surface area

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Thanks for the link. BRS actually has the Vibrant test video on the front page of their site. It looks like it does things for new tanks, but looks considerably less effective on tanks that have cycled rock. They talk about the lack of results with such enthusiasm that it is easy to miss the message and just want to buy the product. They mentioned a video they did about bubble algae and Vibrant, but I couldn't find it.

I am going to check my water perimeters and if all looks well I might try dosing it. I have had bubble algae since I can remember. Some months better than others. My best SPS growth is normally happening about the same time as bubble algae outbreak. It would be nice to have it behind me.