What temp. was your water.

[nino78]

I want to try and master shipping corals in the winter. Although I ship in the winter with good results I think there is always room for improvement. What I would like you to do is this. I know people are getting shipments in every day. I would like to know what shipping company was used. How long package was in route. And most important how many heat packs were used and what temp. the water was when you received it. I would also like to know where the heat packs were located in the box and what the coral was packaged in. 2 bags 3 bags whatever. Please include as many details as you can come up with. I think we can all benefit from learning from others, but most of all we can learn how to care for our corals in the best way possible.

Thanks, Matt

 

[Reef Pets]

This will be a good thread with great information.
Just one thing to possibly add, if you dont mind, if the heat pack has a name brand on it then please list the name brand of the heat pack.

 

[nino78]

This will be a good thread with great information.
Just one thing to possibly add, if you dont mind, if the heat pack has a name brand on it then please list the name brand of the heat pack.

I actually meant to add that. Thanks. Yea I think it will be a cool experiment. I think we need to do the same thing when it gets warm with ice packs. We can never have to much information. Everyone that has corals coming in tomorrow make sure you have your thermometer ready.

 

[Ultimateaquariums]

I will say that most heat packs I get are cold when I get them. After a few minutes in the open they heat back up. IMO people are sealing up their boxes too tight. I was told they let them heat up prior to packing. I tried an experiment heating up a heat pack and putting it a ziplock bag to see how long it stayed hot, but I forgot to check it!!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hey nino ship me some coral and I will do a full out test for you!

 

[nino78]

Sure Rev what do want a Flame thrower.lol

 

[ahayes13]

im suppsed to be getting a fedex today, so i will let you know the details ....

 

[gioNVA]

I shipped out some palys to MA last week. Dropped off the package at USPS location in VA at around 3:30PM. My tank temp was 77.8F at that time. Arrived in MA the next day, around noon. The recipient said that the water temp was about 66F. I used one 60hour heat pack. Box was about 10x10x10 and has a styro containter inside (not just lined with styro). The heat pack was taped on the inside of the styro cover. Got my heat pack from kensfish, brand is Uniheat. The corals were double bagged and then all of them were then put into one big bag (so you can say triple bagged).

 

[MikeB]

Depending on the brand some need to be left out to heat up. The ones I use don't need to be left out. After being opened, put int he package and then 30 minutes later it heats up. I use 30 hour heat packs in the Winter.

I will say that most heat packs I get are cold when I get them. After a few minutes in the open they heat back up. IMO people are sealing up their boxes too tight. I was told they let them heat up prior to packing. I tried an experiment heating up a heat pack and putting it a ziplock bag to see how long it stayed hot, but I forgot to check it!!

 

[nino78]

I shipped out some palys to MA last week. Dropped off the package at USPS location in VA at around 3:30PM. My tank temp was 77.8F at that time. Arrived in MA the next day, around noon. The recipient said that the water temp was about 66F. I used one 60hour heat pack. Box was about 10x10x10 and has a styro containter inside (not just lined with styro). The heat pack was taped on the inside of the styro cover. Got my heat pack from kensfish, brand is Uniheat. The corals were double bagged and then all of them were then put into one big bag (so you can say triple bagged).

So what kind of condition where they in at 66 degrees. Do you think maybe 2 heat packs would of been better than 1.

 

[gioNVA]

I think 2 heat packs would've been better. I haven't heard back from the buyer so I assume that the frags made it without problems.

 

[nino78]

I think 2 heat packs would've been better. I haven't heard back from the buyer so I assume that the frags made it without problems.

Thanks for sharing. Anyone else get any shipments today please share any information that you have.

 

[mpoletti]

I think water volume is very underated when shipping corals. It may cost a tad bit more, but when shipping high dollar items, I try to include just a little more water. I had a terrible experiece yesterday when I was shipped two chalice frags in those small thin bags where the frag disc barley fits. Needless to say, One was brown jelly and the other had already started to peel. The water was too warm due to not enough water

 

[nino78]

The water was to warm. How many heat packs were included and where were they located in the box. I couldn't agree with you more about the water volume. Yes it does cost a little more to ship but it's a lot cheaper than replacing a coral.

 

[ksc]

I think 2 heat packs would've been better. I haven't heard back from the buyer so I assume that the frags made it without problems.

Well, you're hearing now:bigsmile:. Everything was in good condition. The box was warm and I was suprised at the temp. I think that it was in a cold location for a period of time (outside temps were in the 20's) before being delivered. The next morning...

 

[Ultimateaquariums]

I'd like to know if everybodies heat packs were still warm to the touch and if the styrofoam box was taped all the way around. I'm wanting to know if a box is packed full of plastic, then taped all the way tight, if these things run out of air and cool off. I'm going to try an experiment with two pre heated heat packs and see if the sealed one keeps the same temp as non sealed. Also checking time they stay hot. I think it's possible we are not leaving enough air in the package for these to work. I have no idea how they work, but I'm guessing that since air starts the process, lack of air may stop it too.

 

[coralfarm123]

I'd like to know if everybodies heat packs were still warm to the touch and if the styrofoam box was taped all the way around. I'm wanting to know if a box is packed full of plastic, then taped all the way tight, if these things run out of air and cool off. I'm going to try an experiment with two pre heated heat packs and see if the sealed one keeps the same temp as non sealed. Also checking time they stay hot. I think it's possible we are not leaving enough air in the package for these to work. I have no idea how they work, but I'm guessing that since air starts the process, lack of air may stop it too.

Yes, it does make difference. You must have oxygen for the heat packs to work and they will run out if the package it too tightly sealed. I put very small vent holes in sealed styrofoam boxes. Enough to let air in, but not enough to chill the contents. I also use 2x60 hour heatpacks in the winter for most shipments.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Sure Rev what do want a Flame thrower.lol

Yea that will do ok for the experiment. Go ahead and send 2 frags with different conditions so I can do a better assessment.

 

[Ultimateaquariums]

I think 90% of the packages I get are taped all the way shut and stuffed with foam and peanuts. No wonder the heat packs are always cold.

 

[Spiderwoman]

I received a large box from Vivid on Tuesday. The styro box was taped around, it had 6 or 7 heat packs in there and they were still warm to touch. Also the box was full of peanuts. The shipment basically traveled through the whole country... from CA to NC... was shipped around 6pm ET and arrived to me 1pm ET next day, so under 24 hours of travel time.

I'm expecting 3 shipments next week and will take better notes.