pesticides consisting of microorganisms (not saying that vibrant is) are classified as microbial pesticides (as a branch of bio pesticides) according to the epa website. However I am not exactly sure what epas regulations and rulings on these are.
I didn't say bacteria were pesticides. According to the regulations I read months ago (and I think I posted) - any product that is designed to kill algae, etc etc is considered a pesticide - and needs to be registered with the FDA. For example - let's say there was a product designed to kill bees by spraying them with a pathogenic bacteria, that would be considered a 'pesticide'. Thus again, my interpretation, any product - including (so-called) 'natural means of control, i.e. bacteria, etc) is considered a 'pesticide'.
I didn't say bacteria were pesticides. According to the regulations I read months ago (and I think I posted) - any product that is designed to kill algae, etc etc is considered a pesticide - and needs to be registered with the FDA. For example - let's say there was a product designed to kill bees by spraying them with a pathogenic bacteria, that would be considered a 'pesticide'. Thus again, my interpretation, any product - including (so-called) 'natural means of control, i.e. bacteria, etc) is considered a 'pesticide'.
What is a Pesticide? | US EPA
Learn about the definition of pesticide, which in broad terms is a product that claims to kill, prevent, reduce, destroy or repel a pest.www.epa.gov
Note - again - not trying to debate the veracity of any testing - only that there do not seem to be any violations per the EPA inspection in May. I happened to see your other post - so thought this was an interesting update.
Ok, then...so how do you use API Algaefix?
The reason I ask is this: About 8 months ago I had a turf algae problem that I was dealing with. I chose to try vibrant at the time, and it seemed to be working rather well for me. I decided to buy a second bottle having almost finished the first. Right around that time, I saw the thread on here about Vibrant. I'm not even sure why, but I don't think I would have tried the product if I had thought it was an algaecide.
So now, 8 months later, I'm developing an algae problem again. And I've got a full bottle of Vibrant just sitting there. To dose or not to dose? That is what I am wondering.
Long term I think I can adjust my feeding regimen a bit to reduce algae (I actually like a little of it, and my cleanup crew does as well), but I'm getting tempted to pull out the Vibrant I purchased.
Here's a little bit of info... like I said below, more in a few days.Ok, then...so how do you use API Algaefix?
I'll have some more detailed info on what to expect if using these in a few days, but quickly....
(chart: Algaefix dosed every 3 days and DinoX dosed every 2 days, per bottles)
Upon first use these polyquats seems to bind out of the water over a day or two. With recurring doses they can accumulate in the water where they slowly decrease over a number of weeks. Fresh GAC - added on day 40 in above chart - can rapidly remove them from the water.
You made me curious so I just checked 5 different stores in my area (Toronto), all have it and in stock.
It’s also still available through Amazon. Still being sold as a “bacterial” product. I don’t understand how that’s possible, especially after the EPA inspection.
I know UWC declared that there was an inspection and @MnFish1 posted some EPA links regarding UWC earlier in this thread that are indeterminant at best. 'no data records returned' is not reassuringly thorough.
That’s all well and good from a PR standpoint but my concern is regarding the legal precedent this is setting. Whether or not a statement is ever made is irrelevant in my opinion. I’d like to understand how a product can be labeled and marketed as something it is patently not. I assumed that there are laws against that and a way to report such things but I may also be horribly naive.There's been no update from UWC, but the two most recent events are:
1. As of May 19, 2022, UWC is listed by the EPA as a registered "pesticide producer":
FRS Facility Detail Report | Envirofacts | US EPA
frs-public.epa.gov
2. They told me on Aug 10, 2022 that they still hoped to post their side of the story, but as of that date they said "At this point, we are not able to make any public posts"
Its a small hobby, probably not enough to interest them to come down on what appears to be some maintenance guy local in minnesota that was just relabeling api algaefix...
There are no current violations because UWC is now listed by the EPA as a pesticide producer and Vibrant is not currently being sold (by UWC, everything you find out there is old stock) - so there's no active labeling violation.
