how long in bag??

[hossfly]

went to another state to visit daughter. found a couple nice peices of coral i wanted and then since it was a holiday weekend and gonna be three days before we came home I asked about that. the girl said no way would they survive 3 days in a bag. I asked about oxygen and she said they just closed the bag but coral wouldn't last but 4 or 5 "HOURS" in a bag before dying. I know better than that, but I skipped the buy this trip. I regularly buy one day to bring home the next night and haven't ever had trouble, but I didn't want to chance 3 days.. what is the common opinion here? corals ? live rock? what is considered a normal safe time frame for most of you?

 

[Anonymous]

I think anything over 24 hours would be risky. I'm sure some things could last 2 or 3 days just by luck.

If you could put the coral in an insulated 5 gallon bucket about 1/2 to 3/4 full. And aireate with a battery airstone ocassionally. You could then probably keep it for 2 or 3 days. And of course, keep the temperature from fluctuating by keeping by keeping the bucket in conditioned air. :wink:

I'd be interested to hear how long others have kept things alive?

Louey

 

[camp6]

certainly the store would let you buy the coral and hold it for you until you are ready to travel home. as long as your trip isnt more than a days travel id think itd be ok. have them put it in a large as possible container, or cooler of some sort. my 02c

 

[Minh Nguyen]

Healthy frags can last 24 hrs if well pack. After 24 hrs, the death rate increase until almost 100% by 48 hrs or so.
Wild colonies the sucess rate is much less.
I would just buy it before you get on the plane to go home if you have this option, otherwise, forget it.

Minh

 

[hossfly]

the thing was this. she claimed the corals wouldn't survive for more than a few hours in a bag. I have for YEARS bought coral and rock on a saturday afternoon and didnt get home until sunday night and NEVER had any setbacks at all. this being a holiday weekend, i didn't want to chance a 3 day wait though. and i wasn';t flying, i was driving. I bring the double bagged and sytrofome boxed livestock inside the room untill I leave for home and it has always been fine. I just thought it was odd that she would think they only last 4 hours in a bag and was curious as to how long others have had to keep things in a bag before putting in a tank.

 

[danmhippo]

I know that I have bought corals and put them in a bag, placed in a dark location (car trunk) for up to 18 hours without much prob. I think the store lady is playing safe. Obviously, she doesn't want you come back to her store telling her "you said 24 hours is fine........Now I want refund....."

 

[ophiuroid]

I would say three days is out for corals...a day is within range though, without much trouble and certainly for tough things (assuming we are not talking Goniopora here). I reckon you could try taking them in a cooler and using a air pump, as suggested. Live rock is easier to deal with and not as risky.

Any respectable store should hold things for you overnight. I would ask the owner next time. The lady you spoke with is clearly wrong about them dying in a few hours. Heck, they travel more than a few hours in shipment from collection and at every point in between. There are ways to pack things for distance travel...obviously you weren't dealing with someone who felt comfortable with that. Try another employee/owner next time. Make sure you bring or they supply a styrofoam shipping box to keep temps stable.

 

[playfair]

I've shipped out several coolers of coral frags that got "held up" for 2 days usually without a problem.

Then there was the time I cut a M. digitata frag from my nano at work, bagged it up, and forgot to take it home. It sat on my desk, under NO flourescents, for 4 DAYS before I found the bag. The coral was happy as can be, even open, and the water was clear. I think the secret in this case was giving it enough light that it didn't use up all the O2, but instead, the zoo was manufacturing it.