Purigen and Fluconazole

[muddydan]

I've been reading the forums and decided to run a round of fluconazole to see if it can help with my algae problem. I did remove charcoal as recommended and it makes sense to do so. My question is for any other biochemistry nerds out there only because i dont know the mechanism of action of purigen. I know how nitrates and nitrites differ from azoles but should inhave removed my purigen as well?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Fluconazole is a neutral organic molecule at tank pH. It is very different from nitrate and nitrite (inorganic ions) which do not bind appreciably to Purigen in seawater.

That said, I expect some will bind but I am not sure to what extent in a reef tank. But I'd remove the Purigen while you want the fluconazole to be active.

 

[GoVols]

Randy,
What kinds of algae does fluconazole deal with?
I've seen people say they use it for Bryopsis.
I've never used fluconazole and would like your incite :)

Regards, GoVols

 

[bevo5]

Hey vols - big thread that's usually on the main page about it. Check it out - people have been reporting good success with Fluconazole vs. bryopsis.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy,
What kinds of algae does fluconazole deal with?
I've seen people say they use it for Bryopsis.
I've never used fluconazole and would like your incite :)

Regards, GoVols

I've never used it, but folks seem to find it works for at least some types of bryopsis. I'm not sure if it is effective against any others.

 

[GoVols]

Hey vols - big thread that's usually on the main page about it. Check it out - people have been reporting good success with Fluconazole vs. bryopsis.

Thanks bevo5, :)

I'll have to give it a read.

I've got a friend in the UK that's using it right now for bryopsis but he just started treatment.
I've always got my mag up to about 2100 and held for about six weeks but I have not had to deal with it in a long time... "Knock on Wood" :D

 

[lawnerd]

Purigen is supposed to remove nitrogenous organic compounds. Fluconazole has two nitrogen containing rings. This suggests that purigen will bind fluconazole. Also, reefrx recommends the use of purigen to remove fluconazole in cases of tank overdose.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Purigen is supposed to remove nitrogenous organic compounds. Fluconazole has two nitrogen containing rings. This suggests that purigen will bind fluconazole. Also, reefrx recommends the use of purigen to remove fluconazole in cases of tank overdose.

This thread is very old, but I stand by what I said years ago. I’m going to add the follow up below because I don’t want readers to be confused about what such a polymer can do.

I think your assertion may be reading more into what a polymer can do that is real from a chemical standpoint. That vagueness is probably why they word it the way they do, to make users think it is more special and more focussed on a thing that sounds like it should be removed than it really is.

I’m not aware of a functional group that could be attached to a polymer that will specifically bind to the nitrogen atoms in fluconazole from a seawater matrix. If you believe there are, I’m super happy to have a detailed chemistry discussion about it. But if you are just getting the idea from the manufacturer claim, then I would not assume it can bind fluconazole in that way.

As I said years ago, I expect it can bind some, just as it will bind many types of organic molecules.