Medicinal netdipping

Question
Hi Karen,
       I have a some question concerning netdipping, last year my 55 gal tank went through a bout of that dreadful decease ICK. Because of my carelessness I lost five Bleeding Heart Tetras and a Clown Loach. As soon as I noticed the problem I increased the temp. gradually to 85,added aquarium salt, and administered Aquari-Sol copper safe. I was told by a petshop owner that it I had perform copper netdips on those infected they would have been saved. If that is true, how do you perform a netdip? How much copper to how much water? how long do you keep them in this netdip solution? Is this  procedure to stressful? What is your opinion? Lots of questions huh! you are great.
          Thank you,
         Tiboroncito  

Answer
Hello Tiboroncito!~I've just answered your first question about the little clown loach...

What a bad deal. Ick can be such a terrible illness. I've never preformed the net dip for ick treatment before. Especially with copper. This can be very stressful to the already stressed out sick fish. I have found that the best treatment is to simply treat the main aquarium or a hospital tank if possible. Now there is a very safe method for treating Ick known as the Heat and Salt therapy. This tends to be the better and a effective alternative to medication use. The temperature is raised up to 85F slowly and aquarium salt is added slowly as well. You must, however, insure all your fish in the aquarium are tolerant of salt and warmer temperatures before starting.

I've never tried the dips simply because I've felt it was far too stressful to the sick fish in mind. It seems the better alternative is the heat and salt treatment instead.

I really hope this helps and thank you for the nice comments!

Best wishes as always,
Karen~