airplanes and corals

[outerbank]

I am going to send some sps frags, frogspawn frags, button polyps, candycane, and xenia home with my dad to give to my brother. What is the best way to package these for carry on? They should be in his tank within 4-5 hours.

Thanks!! Scott

 

[texman]

I would pack the coral frags inside a clean ziplock bag which is filled with water, leaving the top open. Then place the whole, open bag, into another ziplock with more water in it. Close the second bag tightly and place the second bag into a 3rd, 4th bag, both of which are closed. Then pack the bags into a small cooler (either plastic or styrofoam) and securely close and tape the cooler. Should be OK to check the cooler in as long as there is enough water in the bags to stay reasonably warm and that there is not much empty space to allow the bags to jossle around.

 

[Ken2001]

One thing to keep in mind is that the regulations governing carry-on have gotten pretty tight lately. Flying out of Boston recently, I wasn't allowed to carry on a flask of bourbon. The reason given by the security checkpoint is that no liquids are allowed to be carried aboard. I've also not been allowed to bring cups of coffee past the security checkpoints. However, it's no problem to take a cup of coffee, bottle of water, etc. that has been bought at a store/kiosk after the security checkpoint. With that in mind, your father may want to consider checking the frags with his other baggage, rather then taking it as carry on. Of course, then you have to figure out how to keep it warm in a potentially unheated cargo hold. Probably the best thing to do is call the airport and ask whether there will be any problems with taking this as carry-on.

Best regards,

Ken

 

[Expos Forever]

I agree that you will most likely not be able to carry on a sytrofoam box. Even if you get through security, it must be able to fit under your seat so you might be forced to check it in at the gate anyways. My advice to you is to clearly indicate "LIVE TROPICAL FISH" and "PLEASE KEEP WARM" on all sides in case it does have to be checked in. I've seen live fish shipped as cargo put in the freezer in my airline experience. (He didn't want the fish to spoil).Never underestimate the stupidity of some baggage handlers.I have also unfortunately seen dogs frozen stiff on long flights after having been placed in the wrong compartment. If you do have to check it in make sure your dad informs anyone that these are in fact live creatures. BTW many bigger jets (boeings for example) have one heated compartment (the forward) for live animals and the like and one unheated compartment (the aft) for perishables. Tell the airline staff to treat your frags like they would a live dog and you should be ok... Hedge your bets and place a heat pack or two and you're good to go.

 

[outerbank]

Thanks for the responses so far!!

I was wondering if anyone has sent sps frags wrapped in a paper towel soaked with saltwater and if they have done the same with button polyps. I was thinking of trying this with the carryon and then I would only have to put the frogspawn frags in a couple of bags and a 1 gallon thermous.

Any other ideas? Will the above work?

Thanks, Scott

 

[texman]

I would not try wrapping sps in moist paper towels, but I would not worry about checking in a cooler of small bags as long as the flight is only 4 hrs. I once took a brought a juvenile french angel from Panama to Toronto in a half gallon of water, inside a small cooler, which was checked in, in the winter and it survived fine.

 

[Ken2001]

Button polyps are often introduced to tanks on live rock that has been shipped in boxes minus water. So obviously, some small button polyps can make it if only wrapped in moist towels. The question is how many survive this treatment, and whether some varieties are better able to do this then others. I would also bet that some SPS can make it if transported this way as well (after all, porities are also introduced on live rock, and many acros are briefly exposed to the air and hot sun for a couple of hours on the reef during extreme low tides). However, the changes in temp, and the general rough treatment may mean you'll get some die off, and can probably expect to see some bleaching in the SPS. I'd say this method will be a crapshoot and would second the suggestion that you put them in water, in ziplocks, and in a cooler, and check it. Get some of those chemical handwarmer packs from your local hardware store to keep the cooler warm, and you'll probably be ok, particularly for a short flight.

Regards,

Ken

 

[esmithiii]

Some species of zoanthids (button polyps) are exposed for hours under baking sun at low tide. I have personally witnessed this. The polyps close but open again when the water returns.

Ernie

 

[Anonymous]

i thought i'd see some responses from at least one person who's worked in the trade. guess at this point i'm the only one. someone at another board told me i should write this stuff up and publish it. i thought lots of folks knew how stuff gets from here to there.

in any event, here goes...

first: do not use ziplocs, they will not be able to withstand the drop in pressure and very likely will burst.
*get fishbags and bands from the local, you shouldn't require O2 for these guys.
*before you do any bagging you need to "prep" the bags - take two bags and a piece of newsprint (folded so it goes all the way around and meets at the bottom) sandwiched in between.
*be sure that the bags allow a "buffer zone", about 2"-3" (i use that as a minimum) around to prevent bumping in transit. fill with no more than 2/3 - 1/2 water (in the shipping biz lbs=$$).
*depending on the species, you can tie the frags to a piece of styro - some use rubberbands others like old stockings - so they will always be submerged in the water.
*then, trap as much air as possible in the bag and twist tightly the top 4"-6" of the bag.
(this is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of packing for ship!)
then loop the band tightly at the base of the twist, using about 1/3 - 1/2 the band.
now, keeping tightly twisted, you must bring the end of the bag down so that you've created a loop, much like tying a one-armed bow. ideally you'll have about 1"-2" hanging off the end of this loop once you've finished tying off with the rubberband, looping each loop tightly and securely.*

second: for anything you think can be shipped "dry", use newsprint and shredded sponge to keep moist.

third:use chemical heat pax to keep your specimens warm. these are just the same thing as what skiers use, you ought to be able to find them at any sports supply.

fourth: always use styros! they've got the best combination of insulation and softness. you should always box styros inside a carboard box, but if you can carry this stuff on you might be able to get past this.

fifth: use bags of air to cushion and to fill in any empty spaces around the bagged specimens.

hope this helps, it's basically the same method used by every shipper i've worked for.

 

[Anonymous]

Depending on the size of the frags, empty film canisters work well also. Just tape up the cap and you are good to go. It may be easier to carry them on this way as well.