Warning: Use Vibrant at your own risk

[shwareefer]

There was an old brs youtube video where they sit down with the owner or UWC ( because they were already friends) but i can't seem to find that either. Doesn't mean it's deleted, just can't find it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I seen a few folks post that they filed a complaint. In my world its kind of a drawn out process on the air regulation side of things. Takes way longer. I think social media is playing huge part in this.
That being said ive seen hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines handed out for air pollution violations in one visit. Folks lose licenses, livelihoods. Its a pretty big deal when EPA gets involved in my experience.

I was surprised with the speed as well.

I do not think I will post the official inspection notice (it gives inspectors names and contact info, for example),

I am also reluctant to post the stated reason for the inspection, except to note it is all about the issues discussed in this thread: whether the manufacture, distribution, and sale is legal.

 

[jda]

I was surprised with the speed as well.

I do not think I will post the official inspection notice (it gives inspectors names and contact info, for example),

I am also reluctant to post the stated reason for the inspection, except to note it is all about the issues discussed in this thread: whether the manufacture, distribution, and sale is legal.

Your word is good enough. If you were going to lie or deceive us, you might have started two/three decades ago when I first started to read and learn things. UWC can post it if they want... and so can the EPA or State of MN - I am sure that Rev would not mind them creating an account.

 

[rmorris_14]

I actually cant find any BRS videos about Vibrant on youtube anymore. Maybe I'm just not looking right...

 

[GillMeister]

I started following this thread several weeks ago. I had been using Vibrant and it eradicated my algae outbreak. This came after a horrific experience i had with flucanozol and a loss of nearly all my corals. I used Vibrant because it was NOT an algaecide, or so I thought. I can't explain why I don't have the massive die off but I am seeing a loss of color and some necrosis on certain corals.

UWC has a big problem on their hands with mislabeled product. CLEARLY, it is not even remotely what they claim it is. What would happen if a child got into a bottle of Vibrant and ingested it? A medical professional is going to ask what the ingredients are. You state it's 95% bacteria, so they administer an antibiotic. No bueno! An algaecide would require a different response. Can you imagine the liability?

As the owner of the product, UWC owns the responsibility to have accurate labeling. They cannot under any circumstances pass that off as another companies problem.

This could shut the company down, or worse.

 

[Karen00]

It seems extremly unlikely that a government agency would respond in a timely fashion (2-3 days) to reports of a mislabeled aquarium product. Bordering on impossible.

A visiting agency does not demand ones full attention for 12 hours, or prevent him from logging onto R2R for 5 minutes and posting an explanation.

IMO he is just scrambling to find an out. Something like "Official EPA tests say it has insignificant algaecide to require disclosure, and its contents are largely bacteria. On a side note we are discontinuing the product."

I'm pretty sure it was at least 3 weeks ago that the first complaint was filed. It was in the first few pages of this thread if I remember correctly. Then another member not long after said they filed a complaint. I wonder if multiple complaints against the same company get higher attention.

 

[GillMeister]

I actually cant find any BRS videos about Vibrant on youtube anymore. Maybe I'm just not looking right...

That video was why and how i used the product. The video link shows up in Google searches but the video has been removed.
Edit: maybe someone posted earlier but all UWC products have been removed from the BRS website. More to follow, I guarantee you. This company will not survive this. It should serve as a lesson to others.

 

[LRT]

I was surprised with the speed as well.

I do not think I will post the official inspection notice (it gives inspectors names and contact info, for example),

I am also reluctant to post the stated reason for the inspection, except to note it is all about the issues discussed in this thread: whether the manufacture, distribution, and sale is legal.

Brutal and Swift. Way too many passionate folks in this hobby and in general to even try to play stupid games like this. At the end of the day when its ironed out I would not want to be the guy that wins all the stupid prizes.

 

[Joe31415]

What would happen if a child got into a bottle of Vibrant and ingested it?

A long time ago in one of these threads, I (jokingly) suggested calling either them or poison control and telling them your kid drank a few tablespoons of it or you're got some on your skin and are having a reaction. Just something that might force their hand into telling you what's in it.

 

[polyppal]

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.

"This is my famous secret spaghetti sauce!"
- What's in it?
"Psh, I don't know... Its a secret!"

 

[Karen00]

From experience dealing with an issue to some shady people upstream from my farm, if someone contacted the state Ag dept. first, they will react quickly and force engagement from the EPA.

From the time of my call to them (after EPA beat around the bush) it took 2 days and I had reps from both onsite at my farm testing the water in the river and reps upstream of who the complaint was filed against testing the water.

2 hours after testing, they were on the property of the person I filed the complaint against with 2 deputies and a game warden (game warden in TN does not need a warrant to step foot on property and the issue affects managed wildlife)

They spent 4 days (even over the weekend) at the property. I am not sure what they were doing, but they were there.

End of day, they arrested 3 people, their farm was shut down for production and they were heavily fined. They also had to pay for the clean up. The farm is now just some land that is not worked or stocked and they ride dirt bikes on it lol.

Wow! That's awesome!!! Greed is the downfall of all. It blinds people to the reality around them.

 

[Lyss]

So, I am just purely guessing here but hear me out...

In early 2009 I got laid off as part of the recession, and as I was searching for a new regular day job I began making vegan cupcakes. Folks liked them and suggested I sell them. Well, you can't just sell food you make in your own kitchen -- there are regulations around food prep (and rightly so) that would mean you'd need to get licensed and produce it from a commercial kitchen where you rent space. I was like, whatever, I'm going to try to sell these just for fun and figure out the rest later. So I emailed a bunch of restaurants on Bedford Ave in Williamsburg BK that would be a good fit, and ONE MANAGER ACTUALLY WAS INTERESTED. He said sure, come in and bring some for a taste-test, so I did. He loooooooved them and said he wanted to place an order. I was honest and said I couldn't take an order until I got set up in a commercial space, BUT I could have easily just said yes, made them in my kitchen, and delivered them to him the next week. I could've gone on that way for a long time, even, unless something went wrong like someone got sick from one or something like that.

My point is, it's super easy to sell a product, less easy to know and do what needs to be done to meet regulations and produce/sell it properly. I'm not making excuses, but we always express the importance of research to newbies on here, and the same goes for any new venture. In my case I knew I needed a commercial kitchen space and a license b/c I researched what it would take to be able to legally sell my cupcakes, but not everyone does that. I think there is some shadiness, but maybe we could allow for the fact that there might be some naïveté in this mix, too. IDK...

 

[Karen00]

Your word is good enough. If you were going to lie or deceive us, you might have started two/three decades ago when I first started to read and learn things. UWC can post it if they want... and so can the EPA or State of MN - I am sure that Rev would not mind them creating an account.

I'm pretty sure something like this gets posted to a bunch of agency websites (like the status as being inspected, shut down, etc). I think it's required for public disclosure/awareness especially if it impacts other properties/people (like a spill). Just like the health department posts things for restaurants, etc.

 

[jda]

We (the public) have been able to find/see actions with other aquarium related product violations. It just takes time and appears (guessing?) to be after final disposition. Patience is not oft employed by message board posters, but I do agree that we will find out all that there is to know.

If the State of MN or EPA ask me for the raw NMR or IR data, I will post unless they tell me not to.

 

[Karen00]

So, I am just purely guessing here but hear me out...

In early 2009 I got laid off as part of the recession, and as I was searching for a new regular day job I began making vegan cupcakes. Folks liked them and suggested I sell them. Well, you can't just sell food you make in your own kitchen -- there are regulations around food prep (and rightly so) that would mean you'd need to get licensed and produce it from a commercial kitchen where you rent space. I was like, whatever, I'm going to try to sell these just for fun and figure out the rest later. So I emailed a bunch of restaurants on Bedford Ave in Williamsburg BK that would be a good fit, and ONE MANAGER ACTUALLY WAS INTERESTED. He said sure, come in and bring some for a taste-test, so I did. He loooooooved them and said he wanted to place an order. I was honest and said I couldn't take an order until I got set up in a commercial space, BUT I could have easily just said yes, made them in my kitchen, and delivered them to him the next week. I could've gone on that way for a long time, even, unless something went wrong like someone got sick from one or something like that.

My point is, it's super easy to sell a product, less easy to know and do what needs to be done to meet regulations and produce/sell it properly. I'm not making excuses, but we always express the importance of research to newbies on here, and the same goes for any new venture. In my case I knew I needed a commercial kitchen space and a license b/c I researched what it would take to be able to legally sell my cupcakes, but not everyone does that. I think there is some shadiness, but maybe we could allow for the fact that there might be some naïveté in this mix, too. IDK...

I personally do not believe there was any naivety on their part. Pouring algaecides in a bottle and claiming it's bacteria is beyond the pale but I agree 100% with you about people not researching the logistics of doing things legally. I had a bunch of people say the same thing about my baked goods so I started to research it and found the exact same regulations as you. It totally makes sense as to why it's needed but I was shocked at what goes into starting a business like that.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you were going to lie or deceive us, you might have started two/three decades ago when I first started to read and learn things.

Yes, my plan as a mole for 30 years has finally come to fruition! lol

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Yes, my plan as a mole for 30 years has finally come to fruition! lol

I just killed my keyboard due to this. Spit coffee all over it and now am using an old corded one.

This made my day.

 

[polyppal]

Just a total hunch, but I would expect BRS to come out with some videos or some posts with their own testing. They will offer an apology, confirm that what was done here was accurate and have a promise not to go so deep into manufacturer claims in the future.

I don't think we can expect that much, I'm thinking a removal of the brand and any associated media, and no mention of it in the future

 

[Lyss]

I personally do not believe there was any naivety on their part. Pouring algaecides in a bottle and claiming it's bacteria is beyond the pale but I agree 100% with you about people not researching the logistics of doing things legally. I had a bunch of people say the same thing about my baked goods so I started to research it and found the exact same regulations as you. It totally makes sense as to why it's needed but I was shocked at what goes into starting a business like that.

Yes, I said I think there was some shadiness. Naivete about the actual business part and regulations -- and you can see it in the crisis response as well -- otherwise why would you set yourself up for this kind of situation?

 

[jkapit]

Well, that is surprising that they flat out misled aquarists. I’ve used it a couple years ago and it worked great. Although had cyano after the two treatments, but other than that no issues. It wasn’t inexpensive so wonder if they overcharged everyone for what it actually is.