Vibrant - skimmer required or not?

Chlorinated · Mar 1, 2020

Hi everyone

I recently purchased a bottle of Vibrant for my aquarium. My hope's were for it to help me combat some gha and bubble. After doing one dose and doing some more research, I was informed that a skimmer is required to use Vibrant.

The rationale is that Vibrant is a mixture of bacteria and a carbon source. Once Vibrant is in the aquarium, the bacteria feed of the carbon source to proliferate. A skimmer helps remove the extra bacteria in the water as well as oxygenate the water becuase the bacteria consume so much. My understanding has always been that a skimmer is required for carbon dosing.

I have an IM nuvo 20. Mixed reef. No skimmer, only run filter floss and carbon.

So, I listed my bottle of Vibrant up on the sale forum. Several people have chimed in saying that they have great success using Vibrant with no skimmer. So what's the deal? Skimmer, no skimmer? No skimmer if weekly water changes? No skimmer and good regardless?

Thoughts and experiences are all welcome! Thanks everyone!

Cell · Mar 1, 2020

A lot to sort through on this thread, but also a lot of good insight and info:

Vibrant Liquid Aquarium Cleaner * Discussion Thread

Hello Everyone, We had been asked to come on this forum and answer a few questions about Vibrant for a few users here in different threads. We thought it would be a good idea to start a discussion thread about Vibrant, how it was created, what is it, how it works, etc. Then there will be a...

www.reef2reef.com

andrewkw · Mar 1, 2020

I've used it in 2 systems without skimmers. It's not required but I probably would have had less cyano if I had a skimmer - one system didn't get any. The one that did had tons of macro algae but as far as I can tell vibrant did eliminate 100% of it in less than 1 month. Very happy with the product.

Chlorinated · Mar 1, 2020

Cell said:
A lot to sort through on this thread, but also a lot of good insight and info:

Vibrant Liquid Aquarium Cleaner * Discussion Thread

Hello Everyone, We had been asked to come on this forum and answer a few questions about Vibrant for a few users here in different threads. We thought it would be a good idea to start a discussion thread about Vibrant, how it was created, what is it, how it works, etc. Then there will be a...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks for that, I will look through it. Its alot to sort through.

andrewkw said:
I've used it in 2 systems without skimmers. It's not required but I probably would have had less cyano if I had a skimmer - one system didn't get any. The one that did had tons of macro algae but as far as I can tell vibrant did eliminate 100% of it in less than 1 month. Very happy with the product.

Thanks for your experience. The thread above dies mention "skimmer or water changes". My information is comming from a coral grower nearby who has some of the most amazing tanks I have ever seen. I trust his knowledge, but if Vibrant is different for some reason, I would love to learn why.

ScottR · Mar 1, 2020

Vibrant is a heterotrophic bacteria that actively eats algae. The algae dies off and nutrients get released back into the water column. I’d run a skimmer to help combat wild swings. I’ve used vibrant with a skimmer and it didn’t keep the bacteria from doing its job.

Chlorinated · Mar 1, 2020

ScottR said:
Vibrant is a heterotrophic bacteria that actively eats algae. The algae dies off and nutrients get released back into the water column. I’d run a skimmer to help combat wild swings. I’ve used vibrant with a skimmer and it didn’t keep the bacteria from doing its job.

I'm not concerned about stopping the bacteria from doing its thing with a skimmer. My focus is more if Vibrant can be used effectively without a skimmer.

Cell · Mar 1, 2020

I think the biggest concern is dealing with the excess nutrients from algae die off. Skimmer obviously helps with this. Water changes will do the same thing though.

Chlorinated · Mar 1, 2020

Cell said:
I think the biggest concern is dealing with the excess nutrients from algae die off. Skimmer obviously helps with this. Water changes will do the same thing though.

UWC replied to me stating skimmer is not required though helps with export. So assuming regular water change schedule I guess using the product no skimmer is ok.