Bryopsis Cure: My Battle With Bryopsis Using Fluconazole

[NCreefguy]

I looked on the front page and didn't see what a sustaining dose should be. Can you point me to where in the tread it is

Continuous Low Dose Usage
We've got systems that are running on a continuous 5-20%(depending on nutrient levels) of the original dosage of Fluconazole. These systems were treated with the orginal dose(20mg/gal) for the first 3-6 weeks(depending on amount/type of algae). There were a few tanks(out of over 30 tanks)that were treated twice from being covered in GHA. Bryopsis died in the first few weeks in each system that had it(or at least all that we could visually see).
After the 3-6 weeks we performed a 20% water change with an additional 20% water change the following week. We then dosed most of the tanks with 10%(2mg/gal) of the original dosage except for some higher nutrient systems that we dosed 20%(4mg/gal).We did have a couple ULNS that we dosed with .5mg/gal with varying results. (it's hard to match every single factor in these tanks)So what we decided was to go with 1-2mg/gal for the ULNS.Once a month we perform a 20% water change and replace the 20% flucon dose.As I've said,we have some systems that haven't had a water change in months.We'll have more details about that later.
So in all we ran 20mg/gal to kill the algae then 1-4mg/gal to to keep any GHA from returning.

 

[NCreefguy]

Good to know about the dosage. I am going to leave the phosguard in to absorb the "loose" PO4 from the dying algae, but remove the carbon.

I will also do WC, but I am familiar with dosing the change water like I do with Chloroquine Phosphate treatment.

I believe @Jose Mayo mentioned that phosguard may absorb some of the Fluconazole although I'm not sure if he know's what percentage.

 

[jasonrusso]

Continuous Low Dose Usage
We've got systems that are running on a continuous 5-20%(depending on nutrient levels) of the original dosage of Fluconazole. These systems were treated with the orginal dose(20mg/gal) for the first 3-6 weeks(depending on amount/type of algae). There were a few tanks(out of over 30 tanks)that were treated twice from being covered in GHA. Bryopsis died in the first few weeks in each system that had it(or at least all that we could visually see).
After the 3-6 weeks we performed a 20% water change with an additional 20% water change the following week. We then dosed most of the tanks with 10%(2mg/gal) of the original dosage except for some higher nutrient systems that we dosed 20%(4mg/gal).We did have a couple ULNS that we dosed with .5mg/gal with varying results. (it's hard to match every single factor in these tanks)So what we decided was to go with 1-2mg/gal for the ULNS.Once a month we perform a 20% water change and replace the 10% flucon dose.As I've said,we have some systems that haven't had a water change in months.We'll have more details about that later.
So in all we ran 20mg/gal to kill the algae then 1-4mg/gal to to keep any GHA from returning.

If you ran a lower dose, would it still work just at a slower rate?

 

[jasonrusso]

I believe @Jose Mayo mentioned that phosguard may absorb some of the Fluconazole although I'm not sure if he know's what percentage.

It does? As far as I know (and seachem says) it only absorbs Phosphate and silicate.

 

[NCreefguy]

If you ran a lower dose, would it still work just at a slower rate?

There are some people trying lower dosages on tanks with established GHA that are having varying results. Some are reporting back that they are not having any regrowth of the algae that died off(4 months at a lower dose) but have noticed areas where not all of the algae will die. With knowing this I say that it could work with lower doses and just take longer but killing all of it first and then lowering to a "maintenance" dose seems to work better over all.

 

[NCreefguy]

It does? As far as I know (and seachem says) it only absorbs Phosphate and silicate.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...sing-fluconazole.285096/page-252#post-4605683

We'll see if Jose can explain in more detail after he gets back online.

 

[jasonrusso]

So I just started treating for bryopsis a couple days ago using reef flux.

Here is a pic of the algae I normally get in my display with bryopsis is saw for the first time last week. I didn't take a picture when I first saw it so this is after 2 days of treatment. You can already see it turning white. My emerald crabs keep the other algae in check so I normally don't worry about t but we will see if the reef flux has any effect on it

you can see the head of my tweezers for size reference

My tank is total about 20g
Sps dominant in the main display
Softies and lps plus a lot of Xenia in a display fuge
Cheato in a second fuge container

Alk - 9.5
Ph - 8.25-8.32
Cal - 450
Mag - 1450
No3 - 1-3ppm
PO4 - .02-.05ppm
Sal - 35
Temp - 78.5-79

How did the xenia handle it? I have a large patch of very healthy xenia. The wife will be upset if the xenia stops waving at her, lol.

 

[HB AL]

Started a thread yesterday asking if this algae I started seeing was bryopsis, guys confirmed my suspicion and told me about this thread and treating it with fluconazole. Just called my lfs and they have it in 200mg capsules so I'm gonna swing by after work and start the treatment today. I don't have much at this point but it definetly is spreading and sure grows quick from when I first noticed it 3 months ago. Was really hesitant to add it to my tank as I have lots of different corals but after reading through people's first hand experience I see it's a no brainer. I have around 90 gallons of water so It seems 1000mg is what I'm gonna dose, if I'm off on my amount feel free to correct me. I just pulled some out a few days ago but I'm gonna pull as much as I can before starting the treatment so there's less of it to decompose. Also it seems I need to remove the carbon and the skimmer cup, but I can leave in the bag of phosgaurd? Also is it ok to continue dosing No3 po4x every few days like my current regimen? A big Thanks to whoever first discovered this treatment and to R2R for this valuable website.

 

[NCreefguy]

Started a thread yesterday asking if this algae I started seeing was bryopsis, guys confirmed my suspicion and told me about this thread and treating it with fluconazole. Just called my lfs and they have it in 200mg capsules so I'm gonna swing by after work and start the treatment today. I don't have much at this point but it definetly is spreading and sure grows quick from when I first noticed it 3 months ago. Was really hesitant to add it to my tank as I have lots of different corals but after reading through people's first hand experience I see it's a no brainer. I have around 90 gallons of water so It seems 1000mg is what I'm gonna dose, if I'm off on my amount feel free to correct me. I just pulled some out a few days ago but I'm gonna pull as much as I can before starting the treatment so there's less of it to decompose. Also it seems I need to remove the carbon and the skimmer cup, but I can leave in the bag of phosgaurd? Also is it ok to continue dosing No3 po4x every few days like my current regimen? A big Thanks to whoever first discovered this treatment and to R2R for this valuable website.

Your tank looks great AL! If you have around 90 gallons your dose should be 1800mg (20mg/gal x 90gal).
Try not to pull any of the algae out before the treatment because the entire stalk helps to deliver the meds to the roots.As far as the phosguard goes,we are waiting to see if Jose Mayo can confirm if we should stop using it as well. He said that Fluconazole can be absorbed by some aluminum oxides.

 

[lbacha]

How did the xenia handle it? I have a large patch of very healthy xenia. The wife will be upset if the xenia stops waving at her, lol.

Xenia is doing fine, I used the 20gm per gallon recommendation and bryopsis, gha and a pesky ulva were all gone within 3 weeks.

I'm looking to start a maintenance dose as I get small patches of gha starting back up and I don't have many herbivores in the tank to deal with it since it's a nano so hopefully the maintenance dose will keep it in check

 

[HB AL]

Your tank looks great AL! If you have around 90 gallons your dose should be 1800mg (20mg/gal x 90gal).
Try not to pull any of the algae out before the treatment because the entire stalk helps to deliver the meds to the roots.As far as the phosguard goes,we are waiting to see if Jose Mayo can confirm if we should stop using it as well. He said that Fluconazole can be absorbed by some aluminum oxides.

Glad i asked, on my way to get it, so 1800mg it is.

 

[jasonrusso]

Out of curiosity (not questioning) , why doesn't the fluconazole affect zooxanthellae (which is an algae)? Does it only affect the green algae?

I've read that some people only leave the skimmer cup off for the first day because it takes about that long to fully dissolve. Anybody put this to the test?

 

[Jose Mayo]

Out of curiosity (not questioning) , why doesn't the fluconazole affect zooxanthellae (which is an algae)? Does it only affect the green algae?

I've read that some people only leave the skimmer cup off for the first day because it takes about that long to fully dissolve. Anybody put this to the test?

The mechanism of action of Fluconazole is based on blocking the synthesis of ERGOSTEROL, a structural lipid present in the cell wall of all fungi and in some green and brown algae, with Bryopsis being one of these. In animals in general the most important structural lipid is cholesterol and, in zooxanthellae Symbiodinium spp, the most important lipids are dinosterol and gorgosterol, whose synthetic routes are not affected by Fluconazol and, therefore, Fluconazol does not affect animals or zooxanthellae .

From the results of thousands of treatments already performed, and reported on several renowned marine aquarium sites in the United States and worldwide, it can be stated that at recommended doses Fluconazole is safe for reef aquaria and highly effective (100%) in the control of the algae Bryopsis sp.

Regards

 

[jasonrusso]

The mechanism of action of Fluconazole is based on blocking the synthesis of ERGOSTEROL, a structural lipid present in the cell wall of all fungi and in some green and brown algae, with Bryopsis being one of these. In animals in general the most important structural lipid is cholesterol and, in zooxanthellae Symbiodinium spp, the most important lipids are dinosterol and gorgosterol, whose synthetic routes are not affected by Fluconazol and, therefore, Fluconazol does not affect animals or zooxanthellae .

From the results of thousands of treatments already performed, and reported on several renowned marine aquarium sites in the United States and worldwide, it can be stated that at recommended doses Fluconazole is safe for reef aquaria and highly effective (100%) in the control of the algae Bryopsis sp.

Regards

Thanks so much for the detailed response!

Can you shed some light on the function of phosguard on the fluconazole? It removes the medication enough to make an impact?

 

[amazongb]

I'm getting ready to go for the Fluconazole myself. I've been running phosguard but I am caught in a loop where at PO4 0.08 the drop stalls (I feel due to dying gha which releases P04 and saturates my phosguard) then rises again.

I have found that it doesn't affect sps, LPS, or fish. I can't find a definitive answer on anemone, specifically a rainbow BTA.

Also, what is the consensus on skimmers? Take the cup off (is it proven the skimmer removes the medication?) but let it run.

My rbta, corals, fish etc were not effected at all.. as far as skimmer, I removed the cup and left it running for aeration.

 

[Jose Mayo]

I believe @Jose Mayo mentioned that phosguard may absorb some of the Fluconazole although I'm not sure if he know's what percentage.

Yes, in some studies of inhibition of corrosion of aluminum in acidified medium by hydrochloric acid, fluconazole has been found to be able to adsorb to the aluminum surface and protect it against corrosion by hydrochloric acid, as seen in the article below:

Fluconazole as an inhibitor for aluminium corrosion in 0.1M HCl

Based on this, I believe it is possible that aluminum media, such as Phosguard, at least in acidic medium would be able to adsorb Fluconazole, however this capacity has not been tested in alkaline medium for this to be asserted.

In the absence of certainty, for prudence I would recommend that aluminum media should be withdrawn while using Fluconazole.

Regards

 

[jasonrusso]

Yes, in some studies of inhibition of corrosion of aluminum in acidified medium by hydrochloric acid, fluconazole has been found to be able to adsorb to the aluminum surface and protect it against corrosion by hydrochloric acid, as seen in the article below:

Fluconazole as an inhibitor for aluminium corrosion in 0.1M HCl

Based on this, I believe it is possible that aluminum media, such as Phosguard, at least in acidic medium would be able to adsorb Fluconazole, however this capacity has not been tested in alkaline medium for this to be asserted.

In the absence of certainty, for prudence I would recommend that aluminum media should be withdrawn while using Fluconazole.

Regards

Thanks again. My only concern with this method, is that I have no means of nutrient transport. If my skimmer is offline, no carbon, and no phosguard then all the P04 and NO3 is suspended in the water.

Should I turn on my biopellet reactor?

Water changes every other day (yes, I will dose the change water)?

 

[Jose Mayo]

Thanks again. My only concern with this method, is that I have no means of nutrient transport. If my skimmer is offline, no carbon, and no phosguard then all the P04 and NO3 is suspended in the water.

Should I turn on my biopellet reactor?

Water changes every other day (yes, I will dose the change water)?

I would just test the nutrients more frequently and make small changes of water to control some parameter that was more mismatched. Another good measure is to prepare the aquarium for the treatment before administering fluconazole, reducing feed intake a few days before dosing, intensifying nutrient reduction with new media, and finally for greater guarantee (if it had too many algae) good partial water exchange before starting to treat.

Regards

 

[jasonrusso]

I just got the fluconazole in the mail today. It's actually in tablet form so now I have to crush it up. I'll do a WC tomorrow and add it into the WC water.

Has anyone noticed any effect on Alk, calcium, or mag?

 

[HB AL]

So 48 hours in and bryopsis has changed color to a gray tone and it's looking a little ragged and definetly hasn't grown.