Bryopsis Cure: My Battle With Bryopsis Using Fluconazole

[RyanSweet]

Quick update from my experience;

I know a few people have been asking about various tank inhabitants and since I have all of them that I've seen questions about, I figured I could answer.

I dose flucon this past Sunday (January 29, 2017), so I am 5 days in. Bryopsis is turning white and falling off of places where the cuc isn't getting to it fast enough. Good times indeed.

I have 2 serpent stars (ophioderma sp.), a black long spine urchin (diadema sp.), blue tuxedo urchin (mespilia globulus), and an appx 7in maxima clam. I've seen specific questions on these animals is why I mention them in particular. Those, along with other mixed reef inhabitants (various sp. sps, lps, zoanthids, and multiple bubble tip anemones, fish) have been doing great, with zero ill effects observed. I've actually seen better polyp extension on my acros and millis, other than that, everything else has acted as normal as can be imagined.

Before dose test results: (on salifert kits)
Salinity - 1.024
Temp - 78 degrees
Nitrite - 0 (no noticeable color)
Nitrate - 0 (no noticeable color)
Phosphate - never tested (don't judge, lol)
Alkalinity - 8.6 DKH or 3.08 meq/L
Calcium - 440 ppm
Magnesium - 1320ppm

Pre dose activities: (1 day prior to dosing)
20gal water change (appx 80gal total water volume)
Monthly test (see results above)
Dose 8ml Vibrant (dosing 2x weekly for other algae issues since November 19, 2016)
No activated carbon ran on system
No po4 control ran on system
No change to lighting schedule
No change to skimming

5 days post dosing test results:
Salinity - 1.024
Temp - 77 degrees
Nitrite - 0 (no noticeable color)
Nitrate - 0 (no noticeable color)
Phosphate - Still never tested
Alkalinity - 8.0 DKH or 2.85 meq/L
Calcium - 440ppm
Magnesium - 1290ppm

***I am definitely no scientist, just a hobbyist. I know I don't do things 100% correct, but other than algae issues over the last year, I've been successful in the hobby for 19 wonderfully, money burning (haha) years.

 

[ps2cho]

Day 5 update:

Byropsis 80% vanished. There are dead pieces all over the tank now and CUC is eating it up.

It's almost like a miracle it worked so well!

I'm guessing 4 more days it should be all dead and I can do a 50% water change and wait another week to see if anything comes back at all.

No visible side-effects or differences in tank Other than bryopsis.

 

[Ssindt]

So dummy me I ordered the tablets not paying attention. How many have used these and what dosage? Thanks

I got tablets also I dosed the 200mg per 10 gallons. I'm on day 2 of dose so I'll see tonight if anything has changed.

 

[cnseekatz]

Day 8 after dosing, and I have no more visible bryopsis. It's gone... totally and completely gone. I'll update with photos when the whites come on, but dang... what an awesome experience!

No adverse effects on fish, crustaceans (hermits and shrimp), SPS, LPS, zoos, clams, BTAs, or any other inhabitants in my tank. My refugium is stocked with Chaeto, and I see no change there either.

The only thing that looks even remotely different (besides the bryo) is my Dragon's Breath macro (Halymenia). It's looking a little sad... no new growth. Though I have no idea if this is related to the Fluco, or the Vibrant, or something else entirely... just thought I would document.

 

[prsnlty]

Any chance it will knock out my colonial hydroids as well... lol.

Wouldn't that be the perfect added bonus?! I have them too....

 

[stevo01]

I doubt hydroids will be effected but would like it too!

 

[NHreefguy]

Very cool. I see a difference in the pictures you sent me.

 

[nova65ss]

So mine just arrived in the mail dosing now. 4 100mg tablets for my 18g ADA...some of this is hair algae probably from the silicates in the new sand I used. I transferred everything from my frag tank 3 weeks ago..I dipped in peroxide and scrubbed any visible algae here it is today! [emoji15]

 

[DracoKat]

Can someone confirm if this IS byroposis? It doesn't quite look like the photos posted here, though someone said it is.. it's not long and hairy. It's short and feather-like.

I just want to make sure before I buy the flucanzole.

 

[CoralNerd]

Frustrated with not having the results everyone else is having. I think my skimmer must of taken some meds out, even though I only run it at night.

Day 5 and the bryopsis is just a little weaker. I just threw in another 200mg and will keep the skimmer off or remove the cup.

 

[Rick.45cal]

Frustrated with not having the results everyone else is having. I think my skimmer must of taken some meds out, even though I only run it at night.

Day 5 and the bryopsis is just a little weaker. I just threw in another 200mg and will keep the skimmer off or remove the cup.

I had some stubborn stuff that wouldn't die for over a week, then it all turned white and died too! Be patient!

 

[Rick.45cal]

Can someone confirm if this IS byroposis? It doesn't quite look like the photos posted here, though someone said it is.. it's not long and hairy. It's short and feather-like.

I just want to make sure before I buy the flucanzole.

It is, that's exactly what my bryopsis looked like before I started beating it down with Vibrant. It looks like that when it is young and healthy!

 

[DracoKat]

It is, that's exactly what my bryopsis looked like before I started beating it down with Vibrant. It looks like that when it is young and healthy!

thank you! I am using Vibrant and it doesn't seem to be making a dent. I'll give it a shot with fluconazole then!

 

[prsnlty]

Frustrated with not having the results everyone else is having. I think my skimmer must of taken some meds out, even though I only run it at night.

Day 5 and the bryopsis is just a little weaker. I just threw in another 200mg and will keep the skimmer off or remove the cup.

What size tank, how much did you dose at what mg each? Might be hair algae which seems to take longer. I think these things are important due to the dosage differences that people are using and what type of bryopsis it is or even if it's hair algae. Also I've noticed that those dosing vibrant alongside seem to be killing algae faster especially in smaller tanks. There doesn't seem to be one set control.

 

[Rick.45cal]

thank you! I am using Vibrant and it doesn't seem to be making a dent. I'll give it a shot with fluconazole then!

It won't look like anything after you dose fluconazole, it will just disappear!

 

[Rick.45cal]

@Lasse This thread might interest you and the reefing community in Sweden. (I should have tagged you sooner). As well as your colleagues at the aquarium.

Using Fluconazole to eliminate bryopsis and Debersia species of green hair algae that utilize Ergosterol in their structure. Apparently the fluconazole inhibits Ergosterol production in cellular structure in some/many species in these genus. Apparently the algaes use Ergosterol both in cellular structure but also as a deterant to herbivores, which possibly explains why these types of algaes are ignored by herbivores. Once fluconazole has been dosed, algae growth ceases, and then the algae progressively turn clear, lose structure and then disappear. Simultaneously multiple species of herbivores begin consuming the algae, as now it seem "palatable".

Very interesting stuff!!! There also appears to be no side effects to any higher order organisms in our reef aquaria!!!

 

[prsnlty]

I think for each individual that is trying this approach at killing bryopsis and green hair algae you should get pen in hand and notate everything happening before, during and after. This is my list
Tank size in wv?
Type of algae (s)?
Amount of algae?: Some patches, fair amount, everywhere...
Parameters:
Dosing what and how much/often?
Skimming w or w/o cup?
Running gfo?
Running gac?
Carbon dosing?
Mb7 dosing?
Feeding
Types of livestock
Fluconazole:
Capsules
Tablets
MG each
How many dosed

 

[stevo01]

Can someone confirm if this IS byroposis? It doesn't quite look like the photos posted here, though someone said it is.. it's not long and hairy. It's short and feather-like.

I just want to make sure before I buy the flucanzole.

It most certainly is Bryopsis.

 

[prsnlty]

Woohoo look what arrived!!!

 

[Rick.45cal]

@Sabellafella here ya go man, just did a quick and dirty video for everyone. (Only the camera work is dirty, not the tank )