Shipping corals
- Thread starter ilovereef
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Acrokeeper3729
Premium member
Get a styro lined box or better yet a small cooler add a good heat pack. If you have not shipped frags before then do a search on shipping corals on this or some of the other sites. Lots of good info out there. USPS is cheapest but Fed Ex is best in my opinion. UPS is good too.
Braves Fan
Valuable Member
I work for the Postal Service, and I would normaly tell you to use Fed Ex, you can't beat that 8:30am delivery. But in your case, only shipping from NY to Pa, use the Post Office Express mail. Will save you a few $$$.
mr_X
Active Member
ups ground is overnight within a few hours drive. call the ups store or hub and ask them.
that said i've shipped hundreds of boxes and have had similar luck with all of the major carriers. i use usps mostly, because it's the cheapest.
2 heatpacks in this weather, and definitely a styrofoam lined box packed tightly with peanuts. triple bag the corals. they must do this to most of the boxes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slk6zeM4Of8
that said i've shipped hundreds of boxes and have had similar luck with all of the major carriers. i use usps mostly, because it's the cheapest.
2 heatpacks in this weather, and definitely a styrofoam lined box packed tightly with peanuts. triple bag the corals. they must do this to most of the boxes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slk6zeM4Of8
Last edited:
mr_X
Active Member
not sure if you are supposed to or not but I have used the usps small boxes many times. They are the perfect size because not only do carriers charge you for actuall weight but they also charge dimensional weight so the larger the box the more money. It depends on the number of frags you are shipping but they have a box that is around 12x10x6tall. I cut my 3/4 inch styrophome to fit the box. I use 3x10 4 mill shipping bags and I have been able to fit up to 15 frags with bubble wrap in one box and keep the weight at around 4 lbs. I have always shipped fed ex and they have never said anything to me about using usps boxes but I dont know for sure. I also tape a 20+hour uni-heat heat pack to the top of the package. Ohh yeah double and even tripple bag if you have to. Like I said I use 4 mill bags and I still double and tripple bag. Good luck
mfinn
likes zoanthids
Looks like some good shipping info so far.
One other thing, the heat packs are activated by O2. If you completely seal the styrobox and cardboard box, the heat pack could run out of O2 and go out.
If you leave a hole or crack in the tape, your chances are better for a happy customer.
One other thing, the heat packs are activated by O2. If you completely seal the styrobox and cardboard box, the heat pack could run out of O2 and go out.
If you leave a hole or crack in the tape, your chances are better for a happy customer.
mfinn
likes zoanthids
Tape it to the inside of the lid.
cay85
Active Member
i recently had something shipped usps from 2 1/2 hours away. it took 5 days and looked like it was dragged all the way here behind the truck. it was supposed to be overnight. i will never ship usps again.
This has happened with every shipping company out there... I've actually had better luck through USPS than I have with others, but with overnight and corals the lack of a guarantee is scary with USPS.
Braves Fan
Valuable Member
USPS has an over nite guarantee, dosn't arrive, its free, but I guess thats the same with all of the companies. If it were me, I would use Fed Ex, cost twice as much but it will be there by 8:30AM.
