1. General questions on eSHa products
1. Where can I buy eSHa products?
eSHa products are available in specialist aquatic and pet retail stores across over 15 European countries. eSHa products are not sold direct via the Internet or mail order.
2. How do I open the lid on an eSHa bottle?
Hold the bottle and firmly and twist the lid clockwise.
3. How do I dose the product?
Hold the bottle completely upside down (not at an angle) and squeeze the pipette between the thumb and forefinger until the desired number of drops is achieved.
It is advisable to observe your aquarium after 1-2 hours after dosing. Therefor dose at a time when you have the possibility to do so.
4. How do I store eSHa products?
Store the eSHa bottle and leaflet in the original packaging out of the reach of children and pets. Average shelf life = 5 years*
*Aqua Quick Test = see best before date on tube - approx 2 years.
5. What general precautions should I take when using eSHa products?
Always read the product leaflet before use as instructions (such as dosage etc.) differ between products.
Watch your water quality, which should be acceptable before treatment, if in doubt carry out a water change.
You may continue to filter over non adsorbing materials such as filter wool, sand, gravel etc.
When using medicines or algae/snail treatments, always remove chemical 'active' filter media such as activated carbon, UV, oxidizers, resins etc. as these can have a negative influence on the action of eSHa products (and most similar products in general). Keep filters running day and night.
6. Can I use eSHa products with other treatments?
Never combine treatments unless the manufacturer specifically states that it safe to do so.
7. How long will the active components stay in my aquarium?
The active components break down gradually. Depending on the product this will take between 1 and 2 weeks.
8. Are eSHa products safe for filters and bacteria?
Under normal circumstances eSHa products pose no threat to filters or bacteria
9. Why don't eSHa make other ranges of products?
Simply because we believe in specializing in what we do best.
10. How do I use the eSHa Exit and eSHa Oodinex dropper with the childproof cap?
The tops on eSHa Exit and eSHa Oodinex have been changed due to legal requirements (child proof packaging) in the UK. Although we are looking for ways to return to using our stander top, it will not be soon before we have a solution for this.
For as long as we have to use these tops you can dose as follow:
Use a clean cup or spoon to drop the eSHa Exit on. The bottle is perhaps too full so the drops do not get out easy. Try to shake hard above a cup or sink to get some product out of the bottle. Be carefully because the product stains if spilt.
If there is some more air in the bottle the drops will come out easy, but still use a cup or spoon before adding the product into the aquarium.
Please note: do not try to pull the dropper out of the bottle and do not try to make the hole larger with a needle or other object.
2. Questions on disease treatments
1. My fish have been infected with whitespot, but I am not able to cure them, what can I do?
There are two causes for this problem. It is possible that your fish have been infected by a persistent strain of spot, such as importspot. This strain of spot develops more slowly than the regular whitespot and, therefore, it takes longer to treat it.
Secondly, chemically-active products such as water conditioners, adsorbing filter materials etc, may have influenced the effectiveness. (check also the Advice section, subjects "Water conditioners" and "Chemically active products").
In both cases the following approach proved to give positive results:
Day 1: 50% water change without water conditioner.
eSHa 2000®: 25 drops /100l
eSHa EXIT: 20 drops /100l
Day 2: 50% water change without water conditioner and start the regular treatment eSHa 2000® and eSHa EXIT.
eSHa 2000®: 25 drops /100l
eSHa EXIT: 20 drops /100l
Day 3, 4,....:
eSHa 2000®:12 drops /100l
eSHa EXIT: 10 drops /100l
Continue adding this dosage until the problem is solved, however results have to be achieved.
2. According to the leaflet eSHa 2000® and eSHa EXIT can be used together, must I halve the dosage?
No, in cases when it is necessary to combine eSHa 2000® with eSHa EXIT, the full standard dosage can be added.
3. What is the difference between eSHa OODINEX and eSHa TRIMARIN?
eSHa OODINEX and eSHa TRIMARIN are both wide-range disease treatments for marine aquariums. However eSHa OODINEX can be used in marine aquariums containing invertebrates (such as corals, etc.). When using eSHa TRIMARIN, invertebrates have to be removed. On the other hand, eSHa TRIMARIN has a wider action range than eSHa OODINEX (also read the Extended Product information of these products).
4. Can I combine eSHa 2000® with eSHa HEXAMITA?
No, depending on the disease and fish (eSHa HEXAMITA is especially developed for Discus and other soft water cichlids) either eSHa 2000® OR eSHa HEXAMITA has to be used.
eSHa 2000® and eSHa HEXAMITA both can be combined with eSHa EXIT (also read "General Questions on eSHa products")
3. Tolerance on eSHa products
1. Can I use eSHa products in an aquarium containing shrimps?
This depends on whether it is a fresh water or marine aquarium.
Fresh water:
All eSHa products for fresh water are suitable for use in fresh water aquaria containing fresh water shrimps. In the case of eSHa Protalon 707® it is important to monitor your water quality and to prevent your shrimps from eating too many dead algae (For more information check the Advice section, subject: Treating Algae).
Marine water:
All eSHa products for marine water are suitable for use in marine aquaria containing marine shrimps.
2. Can I use eSHa products in an aquarium containing catfish /algae-eating fish?
All eSHa products for fresh water are suitable for use in fresh water aquaria containing catfish /algae-eating fish.
In the case of eSHa PROTALON 707® it is important to monitor your water quality and to prevent your fish from eating too many dead algae (For more information check the Advice section, subject: Treating Algae).
3. Can I use eSHa products in an aquarium containing aquatic snails?
Nearly all eSHa products for fresh water are suitable for use in fresh water aquaria containing aquatic snails (for example: Zebra Nerite snail). eSHa PROTALON 707® and eSHa 2000® may kill aquatic snails. An anti snail treatment such as eSHa GASTROPEX is obviously not suitable for use in an aquarium containing aquatic snails (For more information check the "Extended Product information" on this website)
4. I have a marine aquarium containing inverts, which eSHa products can I use?
eSHa OODINEX (Disease treatment) as well as eSHa MINAROLL (Minerals, Vitamins and Trace elements) are suitable for use in marine aquaria containing inverts. eSHa TRIMARIN (Disease treatment) is not suitable for use in marine aquaria containing inverts. If you wish to treat your fish with eSHa TRIMARIN, you need to treat your fish in a separate tank or remove the inverts.
5. Can I use eSHa OODINEX when I filter over Live Rock?
If you filter your marine aquarium over Live Rock we advice to remove the Live Rock of your filter and keep the skimmer running. Live Rock can release the filtered substances.
Small amounts of Live Rock in your tank can stay in.
4. Insufficient or no results
1. I have used an eSHa product according to the instructions, but I do not see any results, how is this possible?
In this case multiple factors can play a part. The product used may not be the right one for the job or the dosage may be incorrect. The effectiveness can also be influenced by (excessive) use of water conditioners, adsorbing filter materials or, in the case of algae, the addition of CO2 and plant food.
Tip: Also ask your shopkeeper for advice.
- The right product, dosage and aquarium volume
First you need to convince yourself that you have chosen the right product to solve the problem. Also, it is important that you added the correct dosage and that you checked the calculation of the volume you wish to treat. (also check the Dosage Calculator on this website)
- Water conditioners (check also: advice):
Under normal circumstances and dosages water conditioners cause no problems. However when used excessively, because of their strong binding capacities, water conditioners (dechlorinators, heavy metal binders, etc.) can potentially decrease the effectiveness of products such as disease treatments, algae / snail treatments, etc. or even give rise to reactions.
For more information check the Advice section, subject "Water conditioners"
- Adsorbing filter materials (check also: advice)
Adsorbing filter materials such as active carbon and zeolite are used to remove harmful substances such as nitrite/nitrate from the aquarium. They are also used to remove the remaining active components of disease treatments and algae/snail treatments after use.
Because adsorbing filter materials also bind these active components, it is not advisable to use them during the treatment with disease treatments and algae/snail treatments.
For more information check the Advice section, subject "Chemically active substances".
- Use of other products before or during treatment (check also: advice)
If there are still active components of one or more other products present, then these components can decrease or oppose the effectiveness of a newly-added product.
Therefore, never use more than one product simultaneously unless advised by the manufacturer. The active components of eSHa products can be removed by filtering over fresh active carbon or by changing water.
- In case of algae: addition of CO2 or plant food? (check also: advice)
Algae are primitive species of plants and use the same nutrients as the plants in your aquarium. When you are fighting algae and continue to add CO2 and or plant food, it is possible that you will have no results. On the one hand you try to combat the algae, but on the other you continue to feed them.
For more information check the Advice section, subject "Chemically active substances" and "Treating algae".
2. I have used an eSHa product according to the instructions, but the problem is not completely solved, how is this possible?
Because several factors can play a part, it is not possible to give just one standard answer to this question. These factors are the same as with "No results". Among other things the effectiveness can be influenced by (excessive) use of water conditioners, adsorbing filter materials or, in the case of algae, addition of CO2 and or plant food.
Besides the factors mentioned earlier, other factors may be of importance: incorrect dosage, the degree of (disease) infection, quantities of algae / snails.
- Incorrect dosage
Although you have taken great care calculating the dosage, to err is human. It is possible that you overlooked something. For example, the volume/content of an external filter or large amounts of rocks or other decor material. When dosing less than advised there may not be sufficient active components present to be successful. Therefore, it is advisable to have your calculation checked, for example by a fellow aquarist, or check the Dosage Calculator
- Degree of infection
In case of a high degree of infection, it is possible that the standard dosage, as stated the instruction leaflet, is not sufficient to solve the problem completely. Depending on the situation, the dosage may be prolonged or increased. For more information check the "Extended Product information" on this website our ask your shopkeeper for advice.
- Algae / snail quantities
If your aquarium contains large quantities of algae or snails, it is possible that the standard dosage, as stated the instruction leaflet, is not sufficient to solve the problem completely.
For more information check the "Extended Product information" on this website. (check also the Advice section: subjects "Treating Algae" and "Treating Snails")
3. I have used an eSHa product according to the instructions, but the problem is not completely solved, can I continue dosing?
If you have convinced yourself that none of the factors mentioned has been of influence, the dosage of medications may be prolonged for a couple of days. For more information check the "Extended Product information" on this website. Prolonging the dosage is useful only if sufficient results have been achieved. If this is not the case, you need to look for the cause of the problem. Please ask you shopkeeper for advice.
4. How long must I wait before I can start a new treatment?
This depends on how well the first treatment worked and when the first treatment was added.
If the first treatment solved the major part of the problem, an extended dosage may be sufficient and it will not be necessary to start a complete new treatment.
eSHa products are biodegradable. Depending on the product, the added dosage and biological filter, this normally takes 1-2 weeks.
If you wish to add a new course of treatment or a different treatment straight after, we advise to filter over fresh active carbon or to change water (without water conditioner).
There are two very clear situations:
- the problem is not solved completely 1 -2 days straight after course of treatment: it is possible to continue dosing.
- 2-3 weeks after course of treatment is also clear: it is possible to start anew
However, the intermediate period is more difficult, for several things may not be correct: An insufficient dosage has been added or it is a matter of a structural mistake. It is also possible that a new infection has set in, which forces you to start again. In these cases we advise to change water (without water conditioner) and to start a new course of treatment or to choose a different product.
This situation does not occur very often, but it is very unpleasant. Under these circumstances it is generally best to ask your shopkeeper for advice.
5. Miscellaneous
1. What is the difference between eSHa Optima and eSHa Minaroll?
eSHa Optima is especially developed to have and keep fresh water fishes in top condition. When suffering from diseases and/or wounds your fishes' resistance is weakened, eSHa Optima speeds up the recovery of sick and injured fishes.
eSHa Minaroll is composition of vitamins with added trace elements and minerals. Also, eSHa Minaroll can be used with fresh water and marine fishes.
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