Fresh water dip for clownfish with black ich?

[ANNIESREEF]

My clownfish has black ich. I have read in several threads that a fw dip will get rid of it. My questions is does it keep it from coming back? I have had this clown for a year now. I re-aquascaped my tank a week ago and maybe it stressed out. I have qt set-up but no meds and would have to order which puts it maybe Tuesday getting here.
Right now he is acting normal...

 

[leebca]

Generally, a freshwater dip has been an option for this disease, but it doesn't always work, nor work well. The problem is that the disease is a mixture of organisms and unless you know the exact organism, you can't say for sure if the fresh water dip will do the job.

On the other hand, a formalin dip eradicates all the different organisms that cause Black Ich. Some believe that a formalin dip is less stressful on the fish than a freshwater dip, but I believe they are in a minority. Nonetheless, the formalin dip/bath is a sure thing.

The formalin dip should follow from this short article on Black Ich:

http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/blackich.html

Formalin dip/baths are discussed in Terry's article:
http://www.marineaquariumadvice.com/formaldehyde_friend_or_foe.html

If you follow the dip guidelines, the disease won't come back. Since dipping the fish no less than 3 times is required, it would be best if the fish was moved to a hospital tank for ease of catching and observation.

Good luck!

 

[ANNIESREEF]

Thanks Lee. My son was in Pensacola yesterday and picked up something (???) for black ich. He is bringing it to me today. I have aQT set up but it has a bio-wheel. I am going to have to come up with something else to use-a bucket maybe. I have extra heater and bubble make along with a maxi jet.