Warning: Use Vibrant at your own risk

[Mark Gray]

Thank you Randy

 

[taricha]

Yes, UWC is aware and doing their own testing of products, old and new.

On this thought, months back I got two other members to send me their bottles of vibrant that they said caused problems in their tank. Neither was notably different from the current offering. They both reacted to the chemical polyquat etc tests the same way.
one was same or maybe 5% higher concentration - it was around a year old.
the other was about 15-20% higher concentration - he said it was from 2018.
That bottle was half full. Allowing for evaporation over the years, the original concentration could well have been the same.

Nothing in the old bottles (that I saw) to suggest that there's been any recent change in the product.

 

[JimWelsh]

Yes, UWC is aware and doing their own testing of products, old and new. I told them that, IMO, the most critical test was an NMR done is a way similar to taricha did.

Well, I'm sure that we can all rest easy knowing that their "testing" will be entirely objective, unbiased, fair, and 100% something we can rely upon.

 

[blaxsun]

Completely unrelated, but the banner ad on R2R for Vibrant that keeps popping up is kind of ironic...

 

[Lyss]

I think, based on some of the things I’ve said, it’s also important to separate what’s marketing and what’s a real false claim. For example food labels often say stuff like “natural,” “organic” or “no added sugar” on the front, and that is totally marketing to make the product feel more healthy and appealing, but it’s not exactly false. Like, just b/c a product is natural and organic doesn’t automatically mean it’s a healthy food.

The whole “proprietary blend” thing always feels BS-y to me. I get that aquarium products maybe (?) aren’t bound to list out all ingredients the way dietary supplement manufacturers are, but i stay away from the proprietary blend stuff b/c it’s just a marketing tactic. Dietary supplements do however have to list what’s in the blend, just not how much of each ingredient.

Ive personally never purchased Vibrant b/c the label felt like marketing and doesn’t share much substance. Attached below, compare Vibrant first (red), another bottled bac brand second (black/white), and a phyto brand third (blue) to see what I mean.

 

[reef_ranch]

The point of @taricha’s testing is to establish that Vibrant is not “95% cultured bacteria blend”. To put that on the label and represent it to be true when is false cannot be excused as “marketing”.

 

[Lyss]

The point of @taricha’s testing is to establish that Vibrant is not “95% cultured bacteria blend”. To put that on the label and represent it to be true when is false cannot be excused as “marketing”.

I think you’re reacting to me, and just to be clear I never said that putting bacteria on the label when it’s not bacteria can be excused as marketing. You might have misinterpreted the point I was making, or missed my other posts throughout this thread which is understandable b/c it’s a long thread.

 

[CrunchyBananas]

Did Ryan/BRS delete their video? I was curious what his response was other than just halting the sale.

 

[Cell]

I think you’re reacting to me, and just to be clear I never said that putting bacteria on the label when it’s not bacteria can be excused as marketing. You might have misinterpreted the point I was making, or missed my other posts throughout this thread which is understandable b/c it’s a long thread.

Looks to me like he simply addressed your first point.

"I think, based on some of the things I’ve said, it’s also important to separate what’s marketing and what’s a real false claim."

 

[Lyss]

Looks to me like he simply addressed your first point.

"I think, based on some of the things I’ve said, it’s also important to separate what’s marketing and what’s a real false claim."

Yes, but I had answered that this looks like a false claim all throughout this thread. Based on those things I’ve said previously I was trying to illustrate why I said them and why this one is a false claim if it’s not actually bacteria.

That last post was just meant to provide more context on how products are marketed, and can often be sketchy, not say that this case in particular is not a false claim. It’s hard to separate the difference sometimes is all.

 

[reef_ranch]

I think you’re reacting to me, and just to be clear I never said that putting bacteria on the label when it’s not bacteria can be excused as marketing. You might have misinterpreted the point I was making, or missed my other posts throughout this thread which is understandable b/c it’s a long thread.

Definitely confused by your post since I’m not sure how marketing has anything to do with the topic at hand

 

[blaxsun]

Definitely confused by your post since I’m not sure how marketing has anything to do with the topic at hand

Other than possibly false marketing...

 

[RichardinTN]

Yes, UWC is aware and doing their own testing of products, old and new. I told them that, IMO, the most critical test was an NMR done is a way similar to taricha did.

I cannot imagine a scenario where UWC would have been mislead into thinking that a product it was selling as a bacterial blend with amino acids and vinegar does not actually include any bacteria, amino acids, or vinegar, but actually just an algaecide. Especially when they claim that this was a product they used in their own maintenance company for years and then finally offered to the public. I think it’s time to fess up and face the music like grownups.

 

[Grill]

Jeff Jacobson, founder of Vibrant. Introduction starts around the 19:00 minute mark.

 

[Lyss]

Definitely confused by your post since I’m not sure how marketing has anything to do with the topic at hand

I have been saying all throughout this thread that if these allegations are true then it’s serious b/c there could be legal consequences. I’ve also expressed not liking that some folks are saying who cares what’s in it if it works.

Based on all that stuff I’ve been saying, I was just trying to show how product marketing in general can be sketchy but doesn’t equal a false claim. Even if there does turn out to be 95% cultured bacteria like the label says, I would still not have purchased it b/c that label is just 100% marketing and no substance. The other labels I share show how ingredients are listed by companies on the up and up.

So essentially even if it is bacteria that label is just awful, and their marketing of the product is super sketchy.

 

[blaxsun]

Jeff Jacobson, founder of Vibrant. Gets interesting at the 19:00 minute mark.

"Side hustle" seems like an appropriate title.

 

[Cell]

Jeff Jacobson, founder of Vibrant. Gets interesting at the 19:00 minute mark.

Watching this ticks me off. Touting this miracle product that is just algaecide...

 

[Ober_Reef]

I used a full dose for weeks to treat my chrysophyte issue and it was the only thing that worked. My tank is newer(about a year old) and I don’t have a ton of SPS but from what I can tell nothing was majorly effected.

 

[DopamineKata]

IDK why BRS is in this?

Hating on BRS is the hipster thing to do these days.

 

[blaxsun]

Hating on BRS is the hipster thing to do these days.

I think they were trying to be proactive (for a variety of reasons), although I understand the video they initially posted has been taken down.