Bryopsis Cure: My Battle With Bryopsis Using Fluconazole

[Muttley]

I turned my skimmer on around day 3-4 and the treatment still worked. Some have skimmed the entire time and the treatment still worked. There have been a couple of people though that skimmed and they ended up having to retreat their tank due to skimming too much of the meds out(or so we assume that's why it failed).

I do agree, initially you want it off so the meds have a chance the bind to the specific proteins. There might be a timeframe during skimming that any residual meds could be attracted to the bubbles because of the charge of the molecules. This may require the person to redose if they skim off too much.

We do need to export at some point though... Each tank has its own personality along with skimmers. Some will have success with full time skimming, some might not. As a general rule I would keep the skimmer off in the beginning and export when you see the reaction of the algae.

 

[MaccaPopEye]

I'm glad you found a vet willing to help you. Not that Vets don't want to help but most of them will tell you that they have to physically see the animal that you're treating before they can write a script. I think we have a Vet here on R2R that would probably tell you the same thing. The laws are pretty strict on them.

Yeah he said it was a bit out of the ordinary but agreed that it isn't feasible for him to see the tank. Still had to jump through a few hoops though.

He had me bring in photos of the algae and research showing why I had identified it as Derbesia as well as describe what I had already tried to remove the algae from the system. But really it was the first post in this thread (the FAQ and progress pics) that sold it. A hard copy of that first post is now in their files for reference haha the pills had a sticker on them saying something like "to be dosed into fish tank as per instructions on internet post"

So big thanks to you for putting together such a well written FAQ!

 

[NCreefguy]

I do agree, initially you want it off so the meds have a chance the bind to the specific proteins. There might be a timeframe during skimming that any residual meds could be attracted to the bubbles because of the charge of the molecules. This may require the person to redose if they skim off too much.

We do need to export at some point though... Each tank has its own personality along with skimmers. Some will have success with full time skimming, some might not. As a general rule I would keep the skimmer off in the beginning and export when you see the reaction of the algae.

Yeah that's why we just left it as remove your skimmer cup or turn it down for the first few days if not the entire treatment. There are always going to be exceptions to the rules. I'm wondering if the ones who skimmed the entire time and still had success, if they only had a few spots of bryopsis or a tank full.

 

[NCreefguy]

Yeah he said it was a bit out of the ordinary but agreed that it isn't feasible for him to see the tank. Still had to jump through a few hoops though.

He had me bring in photos of the algae and research showing why I had identified it as Derbesia as well as describe what I had already tried to remove the algae from the system. But really it was the first post in this thread (the FAQ and progress pics) that sold it. A hard copy of that first post is now in their files for reference haha the pills had a sticker on them saying something like "to be dosed into fish tank as per instructions on internet post"

So big thanks to you for putting together such a well written FAQ!

That's great! He can pass the word along if anyone else asks him about their tanks since he has it on file.

@stevo01 Put together the FAQs for the thread. My writing skills are about in line with my photography. (blurry at best) lol

I'm just happy to see everyone come to the thread with the hope of it working for them and then a week or two later seeing them happy and bryopsis free.

 

[prsnlty]

Yeah that's why we just left it as remove your skimmer cup or turn it down for the first few days if not the entire treatment. There are always going to be exceptions to the rules. I'm wondering if the ones who skimmed the entire time and still had success, if they only had a few spots of bryopsis or a tank full.

I am wondering the same thing....

I just finished looking at my tank with a nice bright flashlight and I honestly think I'm going to wind up having to do a second dose to get rid of the small amount that is left and more importantly the roots. I am pretty sure that my additional clean up crew that is coming on Thursday will probably finish off the bryopsis but I doubt the roots will be gone. I'm going to do a water change on Saturday and most likely one everyday until the new meds arrive just because my nitrates are so high. This time I will not run the skimmer at all until I'm sure the tank is 100% clear. Another reason for making sure the tank is as clean as I can get it before treatment.

 

[NCreefguy]

I am wondering the same thing....

I just finished looking at my tank with a nice bright flashlight and I honestly think I'm going to wind up having to do a second dose to get rid of the small amount that is left and more importantly the roots. I am pretty sure that my additional clean up crew that is coming on Thursday will probably finish off the bryopsis but I doubt the roots will be gone. I'm going to do a water change on Saturday and most likely one everyday until the new meds arrive just because my nitrates are so high. This time I will not run the skimmer at all until I'm sure the tank is 100% clear. Another reason for making sure the tank is as clean as I can get it before treatment.

Yeah if you can still see roots I would definitely keep an eye on them. They may still turn white and die off well into 18-21 days. There were some tanks that took that long for it to completely die. I honestly don't see any harm in running another treatment though just to makes sure. I keep reminding everyone that we could dose the amount that we are using every day for ten days straight and it still be considered "safe" for fish. This doesn't cover corals or inverts though and most of the algae dying off with one dose kept the treatment for us at one dose.

 

[prsnlty]

Yeah if you can still see roots I would definitely keep an eye on them. They may still turn white and die off well into 18-21 days. There were some tanks that took that long for it to completely die. I honestly don't see any harm in running another treatment though just to makes sure. I keep reminding everyone that we could dose the amount that we are using every day for ten days straight and it still be considered "safe" for fish. This doesn't cover corals or inverts though and most of the algae dying off with one dose kept the treatment for us at one dose.

Very true. And if I can do a few 27g wc before a second treatment I feel that it might make the 2nd dose safer for Coral etc. I may only do a 1/2 dose due to very little remaining. I need to also dose a 29g in my house. Mainly because I tend to play musical coral or rock between them. I already did the 45g

I do have 2 new algaes in the 180. Not sure if it was caused by the vibrant or what. I have what appears to be red turf and spirulina. The fish and inverts won't touch it but if I scrape the green they chase me down and devour it. In any case I doubt the fluconazole caused it. No telling what did at this point.

I am ever so grateful for you posting this thread as I am sure many, many others are also!

 

[uclaray]

I wonder who all had their skimmers running or turned them back on during treatment that their algae was not 100% gone by the end of treatment. Chime in if you're one of them please?

I put my skimmer cup back on day 7, after day 14, it looks like bryopsis is gone but still have hair algae. I'm going to do a couple of wc a few days apart and get my parameters in line and run another dose leaving my skimmer cup off the whole time.

 

[Muttley]

Yeah that's why we just left it as remove your skimmer cup or turn it down for the first few days if not the entire treatment. There are always going to be exceptions to the rules. I'm wondering if the ones who skimmed the entire time and still had success, if they only had a few spots of bryopsis or a tank full.

I'm wondering as well. We really need a controlled environment lol. Other things to consider is if low flow areas and caked up detritus can affect the transport of the medication; Furthermore, if high flow ulns tanks could transport the medication quick enough to allow full time skimming. Lots of factors, my head is spinning.

 

[bawalitt]

Awesome that is what I wanted to hear. I was wondering if you some some post on another forum that I may of missed. I am going to experiment with GFO online. I will let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for the info NCRG!

When I did my treatment I turned off the skimmer for 72 hours, carbon was off line but I kept gfo going. Actually I added fresh gfo to take care of any phosphates being released into the tank. My tank was bryopsis free in 8 days. I did get cyano but it had already started appearing before I started my treatment and I believe it's because I was also using vibrant.

I have not dosed vibrant since I started the treatment.

 

[prsnlty]

I'm wondering as well. We really need a controlled environment lol. Other things to consider is if low flow areas and caked up detritus can affect the transport of the medication; Furthermore, if high flow ulns tanks could transport the medication quick enough to allow full time skimming. Lots of factors, my head is spinning.

Yeah I know that feeling. I might have known about uln if I had not o'd my system on stump remover trying to have "some" no3 right before treatment lol!

I did find that high constant flow areas took longer than most locations. The top of the overflows and top of my far end return column did white out first but there is still some there while other areas in random flow areas have cleared. Also pulling it after dosing hampers the treatment in that location. The areas with the highest light will also be first to go it seems. What remains in my tank are constant high flow, low light and areas I pulled.

 

[Muttley]

Yeah I know that feeling. I might have known about uln if I had not o'd my system on stump remover trying to have "some" no3 right before treatment lol!

I did find that high constant flow areas took longer than most locations. The top of the overflows and top of my far end return column did white out first but there is still some there while other areas in random flow areas have cleared. Also pulling it after dosing hampers the treatment in that location. The areas with the highest light will also be first to go it seems. What remains in my tank are constant high flow, low light and areas I pulled.

Yeesh I've been down that route with no3... not fun. Gotta love the Redfield ratio... Lots of good info, thanks! Seems like the high flow areas act as an ATS..

 

[Muttley]

When I did my treatment I turned off the skimmer for 72 hours, carbon was off line but I kept gfo going. Actually I added fresh gfo to take care of any phosphates being released into the tank. My tank was bryopsis free in 8 days. I did get cyano but it had already started appearing before I started my treatment and I believe it's because I was also using vibrant.

I have not dosed vibrant since I started the treatment.

Awesome, this is helpful data! Glad it worked!

 

[Reefinny Verified Sponsor]

I kept my Skimmer on I wanted the o2 exchange but I had the overflow going back into tank through a filter sock first 4 or 5 days. Now it's draining but a very dry skim.

 

[stevo01]

Yeah he said it was a bit out of the ordinary but agreed that it isn't feasible for him to see the tank. Still had to jump through a few hoops though.

He had me bring in photos of the algae and research showing why I had identified it as Derbesia as well as describe what I had already tried to remove the algae from the system. But really it was the first post in this thread (the FAQ and progress pics) that sold it. A hard copy of that first post is now in their files for reference haha the pills had a sticker on them saying something like "to be dosed into fish tank as per instructions on internet post"

So big thanks to you for putting together such a well written FAQ!

Right on

Im glad for us all and glad I could help the team.

 

[DracoKat]

I'd say my Bryposis is 97% gone, a few tuffs!

My rock nem is NOT happy. he's been tightly closed and moving around his rock constantly. I don't have a proper QT for nems (meaning, poor lighting, and I don't want to spend 100's for lighting at this time). I am itching to do a WC, but it's only 1 week into the treatment, too soon. I am torn, what should I do?

 

[Milkmanskid]

I wonder who all had their skimmers running or turned them back on during treatment that their algae was not 100% gone by the end of treatment. Chime in if you're one of them please?

Soooo...I had my skimmer cup off for 24 hours before it was replaced and almost all of the bryopsis died off. It was a huge amount. What's left is sprigs and I'm on day 20 without a water change. I actually seen more growth on the sprigs and a little more die off of my gha. To be fair I started carbon dosing just before this treatment so that may have an effect on the gha. I'm going to do a water change and one more round of flucanazole to get rid of it for sure. This time I'll be letting the skimmer overflow itself for about 4 days or so. There's no way I can not skim my water for 14 days

 

[edosan]

Hi Guys, a friend just made the fluconazole treatment (100% success killing BR), but he report euphyllias dying 3 days after treatment (1 case does do not say anything but wondering...). Anyone with euphyllias issues?

 

[DracoKat]

As of this morning - 7 days into treatment (and will have to take an updated photo), my Bryoposis is about 97% gone!

Day 1:

Day 3: It's starting to weaken and showing signs of disgineration

Day 5:

 

[KenO]

I'd say my Bryposis is 97% gone, a few tuffs!

My rock nem is NOT happy. he's been tightly closed and moving around his rock constantly. I don't have a proper QT for nems (meaning, poor lighting, and I don't want to spend 100's for lighting at this time). I am itching to do a WC, but it's only 1 week into the treatment, too soon. I am torn, what should I do?

I have 3 RFA and my treatment didn't affect them at all. In fact I fed all three during the treatment and all 3 after the treatment seem happy.