what is the best way to ship corals?

[hernluis]

whats the best way to ship corals? how do you guys do it?
thanks

[handapanda]

It depends on the coral, how far you are shipping it, and the weather. Can you give us a bit more info?

[davidryder]

Put enough water to cover the coral in a bag (With as much air as water in the bag) and place it in a styrofoam container packed with newspaper. If the bag is going to roll around, pack empty bags of air around it to support it.

The type of coral shouldn't matter much... we received shipments at petland every week, and it was always the same.

[JokerGirl]

Davidryder has it about right.

As far as a shipping service, I have honestly gotten 10x better service from USPS when I've gotten a coral/fish delivered to me than I have through UPS or FedEx. They seem to be handled a bit more gently and overnights are usually delivered by a special van (in my town at least) and not in the back of one of those un-heated box trucks. Just my 2 cents though :)

[MrSpiffy]

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I've never had to ship corals, so this is only what I've read about. But it seems like excellent advice, nevertheless.

If you're shipping delicate species, especially Xenia, this might be the best way. Take your frag and attach its rock or plug to a piece of styrofoam so that it would float upside-down. Fill a plastic bag with water and drop the floating frag in, packing that inside of a styrofoam or other insulated box. This way it doesn't roll over itself and damage the frag. Like I said, I've heard this is excellent for shipping Xenia. You also might want to (if possible) fill the bag with pure oxygen instead of just air. It may help to keep it healthier over longer shipments.

Anyone else who's tried this, or knows more about it, feel free to chime in with anything I may have missed. :)

[DarthBaiter]

Go and get a cheap thermos(3-5 dollars) Keep warm water in it overnight to get the thermos up to the right temp. Put coral in and water to cover it. Put some empty plastic bags in it as cushion for the coral and close the thermos and put it in a box filled with packing material.

[DouglasTiede]

I hate to bring bad news, but I would say that none of them
handle our delicate packages with respect to the fact that they
are CLEARLY marked.
I use to work for the USPS and we sorted packages. not by gently
putting them into bags, but by tossing them into containers.
That is just how the USPS and UPS and FEDEX does it...

( just my 2 cents... )

Insure everything, and always get signature confirmation on the
deliverly, that way they can not burry it outside your back door in
10 degree weather and when you call to track the package they
say, it is delivered but they can't tell you where they put it.

That happened to me.. it was outside a week in winter here in wisconsin.

[DarthBaiter]

Had my FedEx guy walk off his truck with my pair of percs(clearly marked fragile and live fish) and as he handed it to me, he says"Here's your fishes" and gives it a spin and a roll as he passes it to me. I looked at him in bewilderment and told him that I didn't realize a roller coaster ride for them was part of the overnight deal. :rolleyes:
Still it's better than USPS loosing three of my packages in one month.

FedEX>DHL=UPS>USPS

JMHO

[JokerGirl]

I guess it's different strokes for different folks. I live in a small town on the outskirts of Indianapolis. Two shipments I received from FedEx were left outside in 30 degree weather to freeze even though they were supposed to be signed for. Another, that was sent through UPS, was lost somewhere along the lines. Two from DHL came fine, no problems, except the guy did the same thing as DarthBaiter's FedEx guy when my clam arrived.

The three packages I've gotten from USPS were clearly marked as being "Live Fish/Coral". The lady that dropped one off the very first time was amazed because she had never seen live fish being shipped before and said she made sure no one at the office man-handled it. She came in a small Astro-type van and the package was nice and warm. The other two times they came just as perfectly.

I know that heat-packs are placed in the boxes for a reason, but I still don't like the fact of them being in the backs of the un-heated FexEx/UPS/DHL in the middle of winter because by the time they are on their way the heatpack is usually on its last leg as it is. I find solice in knowing that my livestock is being kept warm for the last leg of its journey.

[davidryder]

I don't think we can really blame the delivering agencies... there is quite a risk in shipping live animals. If it were any other package we would be happy they left it at our door. Not everyone knows the care required to keep fish/corals alive.

[DarthBaiter]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9685385#post9685385 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davidryder
I don't think we can really blame the delivering agencies... there is quite a risk in shipping live animals. If it were any other package we would be happy they left it at our door. Not everyone knows the care required to keep fish/corals alive.
Maybe the big "fragile" and "live fish" stickers should tell em something...lol.
I do agree that this hobby would not be this readily available if it wasn't for the delivery guys.

[dendro982]

There is something like Greyhound Express Parcel service. If the seller is using it and willing communicate, you can pick up yourself at the cargo station, right after the package arrived. Mine was send at the late spring, though. Everybody is alive.

[hernluis]

is the fastest shipment always better? is two day shipment ok?

[davidryder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9692509#post9692509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hernluis
is the fastest shipment always better? is two day shipment ok?

With fish it should almost always be overnight. I mean, the longer they are in the bag the more oxygen they use and the more toxic the water becomes. Even when they are overnighted they don't normally arrive very perky or energetic.