Warning: Use Vibrant at your own risk

I just realized you're right. I thought I saw API Algaefix up here but come to think of it I think I only saw links to Canadian sites like Walmart. I just clicked on the Walmart link and it says "not sold in my area". When did this happen? I don't use algaecides in my tank so haven't ever purchased any but I thought I remember seeing this in the stores at one time but I could be wrong. Out of curiosity can it be purchased anywhere in Canada (like pool supply places or pond supply places)? You're right about the market loss.
Probably pool supply stores. I just think petstores and most other stores can't sell it to the public perhaps. My LFS was shocked to hear about this debate and said it kinda makes sense that it is in fact algaecide. And if so, he legally can't sell it, and would need to remove it from his shop.
 
Response will be delayed. Jeff (owner of UWC) intended to respond yesterday, but the EPA and Mn Department of Agriculture arrived at UWC yesterday for a "for cause" inspection. I am told they were there all day yesterday and plan to be there again today.

FWIW, I saw a picture of the first page of the official EPA notice as proof.
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oops
 
Response will be delayed. Jeff (owner of UWC) intended to respond yesterday, but the EPA and Mn Department of Agriculture arrived at UWC yesterday for a "for cause" inspection. I am told they were there all day yesterday and plan to be there again today.

FWIW, I saw a picture of the first page of the official EPA notice as proof.
Guess we shouldn’t be surprised that @UWC can’t even come here to say this themselves.
 
Now this is interesting. I don't think he'll be able to tell the EPA that they can't have the name of the manufacturer.
This is where it could also get interesting.

Just some thoughts that could or could not be right lol.

- if the manufacturer is bottling this stuff and it is proven by the EPA and Ag. to be a pesticide, they are liable and UWC may be able to claim they had no idea.

- if the manufacturer is selling UWC it in labelled containers and then UWC is rebottling, then it possibly gets even deeper for UWC.

Either way, they will dig deep and if they find something not on the up and up, there will be a notice posted on the EPA website.
 
This is where it could also get interesting.

Just some thoughts that could or could not be right lol.

- if the manufacturer is bottling this stuff and it is proven by the EPA and Ag. to be a pesticide, they are liable and UWC may be able to claim they had no idea.

- if the manufacturer is selling UWC it in labelled containers and then UWC is rebottling, then it possibly gets even deeper for UWC.

Either way, they will dig deep and if they find something not on the up and up, there will be a notice posted on the EPA website.
Hasn't It been claimed that UCW Created this product?

If they created the recipe and are having it cooked up by someone else, unsure how they could claim to not know what was in it.
 
What's funny is the UWC address on the website is just a residential home. So the EPA is combing through his house for 2 days?
 
Response will be delayed. Jeff (owner of UWC) intended to respond yesterday, but the EPA and Mn Department of Agriculture arrived at UWC yesterday for a "for cause" inspection. I am told they were there all day yesterday and plan to be there again today.

FWIW, I saw a picture of the first page of the official EPA notice as proof.
I kinda wanna see it lol.
 
This is where it could also get interesting.

Just some thoughts that could or could not be right lol.

- if the manufacturer is bottling this stuff and it is proven by the EPA and Ag. to be a pesticide, they are liable and UWC may be able to claim they had no idea.

- if the manufacturer is selling UWC it in labelled containers and then UWC is rebottling, then it possibly gets even deeper for UWC.

Either way, they will dig deep and if they find something not on the up and up, there will be a notice posted on the EPA website.
Huge deal they showed up onsite so fast with paperwork in hand. Wouldn't be surprised if a reefer got a hold of the complaints. That combined with social media attention its a wrap. I wouldnt want to be on any side of this one. All that's not well is not going to end well. For sure
 
Hasn't It been claimed that UCW Created this product?

If they created the recipe and are having it cooked up by someone else, unsure how they could claim to not know what was in it.
From what I can read, it has been claimed that they "created" it.

Now to be the "neutral" guy in the room.

They could have produced it and not used what has been found, sent production elsewhere and got duped.

Not being the "neutral" guy in the room.

I find that highly unlikely, as any facility that would manufacture this stuff would be liable and most would not even touch the idea of doing that. While there may be some shady outfits, it is highly unlikely.

Then there is the possibility that they do buy this in bulk, package themselves and then sell it that way. I feel that is the logical explanation here.

From experience helping a friend grow, bottle and sell pods, it does not take much of a warehouse space to create a decent local distro center. We could crank out pallets of 16 ox bottles in a weekend. I assume the same could be said for Vibrant.

Just take all the bottles, throw in X oz. to make up the percent they want or close to it, throw in a dropper of vinegar and top all bottles off with RODI. All of this can be done pretty quickly with the bottle sitting on a scale or just some measuring spoons with the items in tubs and a funnel in the bottle. Then throw on the bottle seal (just a round piece of foil paper with some glue on it), throw the cap on and call that bottle done.

Once you do 50 bottles, think of how much it becomes just simple repetition to fill a bottle. say 2 guys, 1 minute a bottle and 8 hours on a Saturday. 960 bottles. Figure lunch and some BS among them, they can easily do 500 bottles a day.

Is vibrant really selling 500 bottles a week? Possibly, so they do 2 days to make up for that.
 
Loading the UWC contact location in to Google Maps you'll see a very average MN residence with multiple boxes in front of the garage door, not kidding....are they boxes of Vibrant? Laugh.

My guess is you have a hobbyist that decided they could get in the tank maintenance business. I've seen some of the fish only tanks they maintain, they look very good and healthy. I believe UWC personnel have no background in chemistry and didn't know how to ask the right questions when working their product line; heard what the wanted to hear along the way and have now painted themselves in to a corner. I'd bet they're less than 10 employees? Likely there was no conscious decision to deceive anyone but things spiral over time and ignorance can be bliss until there's a reckoning.
 
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IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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