Kent Tech M vs Bryopsis

[M3P]

Tired of this stuff in my tank, so I will be documenting my success or failure using Kent Magnesium Tech M. Instructions state 1ml solution per gallon tank water to increase Mg by 18.4 ppm. I will use a syringe to apply the Tech M into the worst areas and then let it distribute throughout the tank from those spots.

Tank Details:
200 DT, 5250gph flow from 4 powerheads, mag18 return adds ~1000gph
55 sump/fuge (~40 gallons of water).

I will be using Salifert for Mg, KH/Alk, and Ca2+ and API for pH, nitrate, and nitrite.

Starting Point of tank
Mg - 1440-1470
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0

day 1
Added ~490 ml Tech M
pH - 8.2
Ca - 540
KH/Alk - 10.6

3 hours later
Mg - 1590* tested twice to make sure I didn't make a mistake. Let the bryopsis death begin :uzi:

 

[M3P]

Today Mg was 1500. Some patches of bryopsis looked a bit thinner, but nothing impressive. Added 750 ml of Kent Tech M directly to concentrated areas of bryopsis. Anyone used magnesium with any success? I have read 1550+ is where the die off really starts happening...crossing fingers.

 

[logiktest]

I was under the impression that it's not so much a specific number over 1500, but maintaining 1500 over a certain amount of time. Like you're supposed to be going for 1500+ for around four weeks, or something to that extent.

 

[zero26]

I heard with the Kent M it's a impurity in the solution that kills the algae.

 

[logiktest]

I heard with the Kent M it's a impurity in the solution that kills the algae.

Ah, that didn't even cross my mind. I was just trying to think of raising mag in general.

 

[M3P]

I think you're right. I will try to keep it high for an extended period of time as long as nothing else is negatively affected to kill off any remaining bryopsis that isn't visible to the eye. It will be like continuing antibiotics even after your symptoms are gone. I looked again tonight and it definitely looks like some areas are getting beat up by the magnesium or whatever else is in Tech M. There are posts of people using other magnesium products to fight bryopsis with no luck. Not sure if it is because of the type of bryopsis or if there really is something special about tech M. Either way, I will need a lot more of it.

 

[logiktest]

Will you be monitoring Alk and Ca during the whole treatment?

 

[M3P]

Tank is currently:
kh/alk - 8.6
Ca - 540
Mg - 650* I'm guessing this will drop to about 550-560 by tomorrow after it distributes throughout the tank more.

 

[zero26]

Heres a good thread on that,


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1532419

 

[inwall75]

You ought to add some Lettuce Leaf Sacoglossans too. Hit it with a 1 - 2 punch.

 

[M3P]

I tried one once...he was either eaten, went for a ride through a powerhead or is playing the worlds best hide and seek game. Anywhere local have them in right now?

 

[M3P]

Mg 650 today. The bryopsis is starting to look pretty sad and some patches have thinned out pretty well. I removed 45 gallons and added 250 ml Tech M let the display sit like that for an hour before filling the tank again. Waited to fill the tank so that the Mag could stay more concentrated for a while.

 

[M3P]

Haven't updated in a week, but most of the bryopsis has died. Still a few remaining small thinned out patches, but I'd say 12 days after starting Tech M treatment 75-80% of the bryopsis is gone/melted. Mg on Friday was 1740. I did another 40 gallon wc and added 360ml of tech M. Did another 40 gallon wc today and added 250 ml of tech M. Will check Mg level tomorrow. I plan on maintaining Mg levels between 1700-1800 for an additional 2 weeks after all of the bryopsis disappears.

From my results so far, I am happy with this approach to killing off bryopsis. The Mg doesn't seem to be affecting my corals or fish. The only thing I would recommend is either bumping up your GFO or upping the water changes during treatment. I am working my way out of a nice cyano bloom that I believe was the result from the massive die out of bryopsis. Water changes are nice because you can get rid of all that dead bryopsis and the cyano. If anyone else decides to do this, I would recommend monitoring Mg and Phosphates during treatment. All of the other values seemed to remain stable. Amm/Nitrite/Nitrates were 0 throughout treatment.

*note that the previous couple posts where I said Mg was 650 should have read '1650'

 

[inwall75]

It's a pretty effective treatment isn't it? I'm glad you had good results.

 

[Reeferhead]

Yeah, it works but you need to keep the Mg level high for at least a couple months post dieoff to prevent it from coming back... and every that's not a garantee that it won't. Bryopsis is ruthless.

 

[logiktest]

M3P,

How is your Bryopsis treatment working out for you? If you have managed to kill off all the bryopsis by now, are you still using the Kent Tech M Magnesium? How much of the product have you used in ounces total to date?

 

[M3P]

bryopsis eliminated, at least I don't see any. I have used a little over a gallon total. I still have about 32 ounces left. I've been dosing with water changes in case there is bryopsis that I can't see or spores floating around. I haven't checked Mg levels in a while.

Tech M :fun2: bryopsis

 

[stewartms]

Any updates? Have you seen any return?

 

[reefcat]

bump

 

[jbonez]

bryopsis

bryopsis

i have a 40gl frag tank 36x24x10 and a standard 20 gl sump i have small patch of bryopsis growing on corals and egg crate how much kent tech m should i dose ????