Shipping Corals - SPS, LPS and Softies

[ReefDiversity]

I'm shipping a few corals to someone in the same state as I live today. This is my first live shipment and I've read numerous articles on the best practices. One thing I find very inconsistent is using O2 - some do and some don't (Most don't even mention it). I was wondering if you use O2 for shipping or just trap some of the air. This of course will be over night and properly perpared in it's package.

Thank you!

 

[Anonymous]

I never have and never found any negative effects from my not using it. I use extra long bags though to keeep lots of air trapped vs water.

 

[ReefDiversity]

Thanks JP for your input on this. That's what I'm finding most reefers are doing - No O2 and little water. I've made it very clear with the guy I'm sending these three corals to - any problems and he gets his $ refunded for the first 24 hours. They may of course take a while to open (longer then 24 hrs) but I want to make sure they at least are not DOA.

 

[Anonymous]

What corals are you shipping?

 

[ReefDiversity]

Euphyllia sp (One Frogspawn and one Torch), I'm also throwing in a frag of Zoas as a freebie.

 

[Anonymous]

Ah well in that case what I would do is get two pieces of styro to rubberband on each side of the skeleton and then float those euphyllia upside down. You'll want enough water in the bags so that when it's sitting in the box the heads of the corals don't touch the bottom of the bag. The styro pieces should be wide enough that they keep the coral from bumping into the sides of the bag.

 

[ReefDiversity]

Thanks JP!

That is what I've seen and was thinking of doing, thanks for the reassurance. Note that I didn't mention the water in the above, I knew if I shipped with lots of water they most likely would get bounced around a bit. Thanks for the information in the amount of water - would about 1/2" space from the bottom be enough space? That's what I was going to do - but would like to hear from someone that has actually done it - LOL.

 

[Anonymous]

I would probably go a little more than that. Remember though that it has to be clear of the bottom even when the bag is sitting in the box which will compress it a little bit.

 

[ReefDiversity]

JP - thank you for all your help. It went out yesterday and should be delivered today. They didn't like the sides of the plastic touching them at all as they slimmed right up when it did (touched when I was putting them into the bag). It was really hard to get them perfectly centered within the bag - I just hope they make the trip and they open up within a few days after delivery.

Again, thanks for your help.

 

[Anonymous]

No problem. What company did you use to ship?

 

[ReefDiversity]

I used FedEx and they seem to be the best. I order a lot of my corals and all the other companies use FedEx.

It was strange though - I went to a drop off center with my package, they must have asked me a million questions. What was I shipping ( I just told them plant life), what type of plant, etc. Very strange and it was as if I was shipping drugs - if I were do they really think I would tell them - LOL.
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I just found out the box leaked . I've had shipment leak before and the corals were fine - but they were SPS's. He sent me the photos and on one of the bags someone put a rubber band - I didn't use rubber bands I tied all bags in a knot and then but them into another bag and sealed it. Something doesn't seem right???!!!!