Dealing with Bryopsis

[Sean Duggan]

Hi everyone in my DT tank and frag tank I’ve noticed some Bryopsis growth. I want to nip this in the bud before it gets out of control as it’s only on a few rocks and frags right now. Based on the reading I’ve done I need to use 200 mg of fluconazole for every 10 gallons. Do a water change before treatment. Treat for 2-3 weeks, remove carbon and skimmer cup, and wait for results. This treatment should have no affect on my corals or my fish based on the research I’ve done. Just want to know if anyone else has done this or if there is something I am missing. Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[RJ F.]

I just did a reeflux (fluconazole) treatment on my tank. I absolutely am blown away with the results. My instructions said to remove skimmer and carbon for 72 hrs. I used it for GHA. It takes about 7-10 days to see the results. I did a water change after 14 days and redosed just to make sure it was all gone. I've never seen my tank so clean. However I lost my emerald crab and a few snails due to there not being algae anymore.

As far as corals go. I never noticed any bad effects. They were open everyday. I couldnt even tell I added anything until the algae started disappearing. I think the stuff I used was Reef RX. I highly recommend.

Beware of your nitrate and phosphate levels as they may rise since the algae isnt consuming it anymore. Good luck!

Just a quick edit: I followed the instructions on the box. I even did a low dose to start. Then after the water change did a full dose. It comes with a 25gallon spoon and a 5 gallon spoon. I can take pics if you'd like

 

[motortrendz]

I've used it a few times. It is a wonder drug for filamentous algaes. I've never removed my skimmer during treatments, only the carbon. Depending on the amount of algae you are trying to beat you may notice a rise in po4, as the algae dies off. I've had to dose lanthanum chloride to remove the released phosphates.

 

[RJ F.]

I've used it a few times. It is a wonder drug for filamentous algaes. I've never removed my skimmer during treatments, only the carbon. Depending on the amount of algae you are trying to beat you may notice a rise in po4, as the algae dies off. I've had to dose lanthanum chloride to remove the released phosphates.

Good call. Another thing that helps is if you have a refugium. Remove some cheato and store it. Then in a couple weeks throw it back in to help with nutrients released during the treatment. I had such a large amount of cheato that I just left it in during the treatment.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My quickest and best luck is Liquid Vibrant. Just be sure to place Chaeto in a bucket if you have Chaeto. It will have effect on chaeto

 

[Sean Duggan]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. My refugium is full of Chaeto and ulva so not too worried about an increase in nitrates and from what I read fluconazole won’t really affect macro algae. Did anyone notice a big depletion on their macro? And where is the best place to purchase this? Anyone have a link?

 

[RJ F.]

My quickest and best luck is Liquid Vibrant. Just be sure to place Chaeto in a bucket if you have Chaeto. It will have effect on chaeto

I wanted to try vibrant but was so worried about the mixed reviews. I was very hesitant to even try fluconazole but a local reefer said she would beat me up if I didnt try it ( that was a joke by the way lol). But I am very happy she suggested it

 

[motortrendz]

My quickest and best luck is Liquid Vibrant. Just be sure to place Chaeto in a bucket if you have Chaeto. It will have effect on chaeto

I've used vibrant and have had my sps fade each time. They never died, but the colors would turn very dull, even at half dose. So for me I will never use it again. It takes weeks to get back to where the colors are bright again. I've never seen one negative effect on my tank from using the reflux. Maybe bc I carbon dose so the vibrant doesnt react well in my system. I'm not sure. But that's just been my experience and my opinion.

I gave the bottle of vibrant to a buddy and he said it worked wonders in his tank... so maybe that's the difference.

 

[RJ F.]

Flux RX up to 100g (2000 mg) Fluconazole - Blue Life USA

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

This is what I used

 

[motortrendz]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. My refugium is full of Chaeto and ulva so not too worried about an increase in nitrates and from what I read fluconazole won’t really affect macro algae. Did anyone notice a big depletion on their macro? And where is the best place to purchase this? Anyone have a link?

You can get reflux on amazon, or brs..

I buy the 7000mg and just use what I need and keep the rest on hand for redosing or adding to water change water if needed.

 

[RJ F.]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. My refugium is full of Chaeto and ulva so not too worried about an increase in nitrates and from what I read fluconazole won’t really affect macro algae. Did anyone notice a big depletion on their macro? And where is the best place to purchase this? Anyone have a link?

I def had some die off but nothing crazy. If you have a good bit you should be fine

 

[dduby]

Used reeflux with great success. I tried Vibrant and it didn't touch it at recommended doses. I've read about people doing large doses (well beyond rec. doses) of Vibrant and having success, They are braver folks than myself.

Between both of the above it pretty much wiped out my chaeto. I didn't have a abundance of it though.

 

[RJ F.]

It's also recommended to use filter socks on your sump inlets to catch all the stuff coming out the display. I did this the first time but not the second. Its suggested so I would do it. I'm just lazy

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've used vibrant and have had my sps fade each time. They never died, but the colors would turn very dull, even at half dose. So for me I will never use it again. It takes weeks to get back to where the colors are bright again. I've never seen one negative effect on my tank from using the reflux. Maybe bc I carbon dose so the vibrant doesnt react well in my system. I'm not sure. But that's just been my experience and my opinion.

I gave the bottle of vibrant to a buddy and he said it worked wonders in his tank... so maybe that's the difference.

I run at 80%. Issue is, if you have lets say a 60 gallon tank...… and it of course will have reef/live rock. In essense you have 48 useable gallons- Not 60 gallons. So if you dose for 60 gallons, in essense you are overdosing. Keep this in mind when dosing anything !

 

[motortrendz]

I run at 80%. Issue is, if you have lets say a 60 gallon tank...… and it of course will have reef/live rock. In essense you have 48 useable gallons- Not 60 gallons. So if you dose for 60 gallons, in essense you are overdosing. Keep this in mind when dosing anything !

Yea that's never been my issue. Been doing this a long time and know how to account for displacement. I honestly think it has something to do with the carbon dosing and the addition of vibrant casuing the acros to fade. Probably comes down to an "overdose" type of situation bc of the vodka and the vibrant which is a carbon source and a bacteria... again just a theory.

 

[Sean Duggan]

Just an update for anyone I started my treatment today and will continue to update. Did a water change earlier today and just added the fluconazole. I have removed my carbon, added brand new filter floss to my filter cups, and removed the collection cup for the skimmer but skimmer will still run. Will update in about a week to let people know how well this is working

 

[RJ F.]

Just an update for anyone I started my treatment today and will continue to update. Did a water change earlier today and just added the fluconazole. I have removed my carbon, added brand new filter floss to my filter cups, and removed the collection cup for the skimmer but skimmer will still run. Will update in about a week to let people know how well this is working

Good deal. I think you'll love the results. With bryopsis it might take 2 treatments. Also it can take up to 10-14 days to really see any progress. It will happen though. Last if you have bryopsis left over even a small bit after 3 weeks. Do a waterchange and run another dose. You can put your skimmer and carbon back online after 5-7 days. Good luck!

 

[Hermie]

Just an update for anyone I started my treatment today and will continue to update. Did a water change earlier today and just added the fluconazole. I have removed my carbon, added brand new filter floss to my filter cups, and removed the collection cup for the skimmer but skimmer will still run. Will update in about a week to let people know how well this is working

I dosed it about 1 week ago (or 2, can't remember); but I have so much algae that I think I need to do another dose. I removed my chaeto for the first 5 days but put it back in and it's doing fine. That said, I had great results so far, but I think since I turned on the skimmer, or something has reduced the medication in the tank and I'm not seeing the algae die off at the same rate as the first week. Basically, I don't know if you should start the skimmer back in the first 3 days, it might be worth it to wait longer, like a week, but I'm not sure if that skimmer downtime would more negatively affect the tank. Anyway, good luck! It works.

 

[Sean Duggan]

I plan on leaving my skimmer off for about a week. I will add the collection cup back next weekend after I do my weekly feeding of reef roids. Will hopefully be able to do a water change in about 2 weeks since I don't have that much Bryopsis actually in my system.

 

[Sean Duggan]

So on day 4 I’ve noticed no side affects to any coral or fish. All corals are nice and open and happy, same with fish. Some of the smaller pt he’s of Bryopsis have defiantly been dying off. And the larger ones are thinning. Happy with results so far and can’t wait to see days10-14. Also have noticed no decrease in my macro algae.