Shipping Instructions

[WDLV]

Shipping Instructions

 

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I was asked by a member on another forum to start a thread with this topic. I don't know when I became the guru, but I'll give you what I've learned from my shipping experience.

 

BAGGING:

For overnight shipping via FedEx or similar carriers, you should start with bags large enough for the fish to easily swim in circles without touching the sides of the bag. About 50% or more of the air in the bag should be air or if you have the means, oxygen. Take care to insure that the fish still has at least an inch above and below it's body if the bag is laying on it's side 'cause God knows what happens in transit. Next twist and fold the top of the bag and tie it off with rubberbands in such a way that the bag is tight like a balloon, not floppy like a breast implant (sorry that's all I've got.) You can simply tie the bag if you're so inclined. Flip that bag upside down inside another bag of the same size and repeat the closure process. Use a sheet of newspaper to cover the perimeter of the outer bag and slide a third bag over the top of it. If you are shipping fish with spines this is particularly important and can be repeated for the top and bottom of the second bag.

 

BOXING:

If at all possible find a box that fits your shipment well. You can get styrofoam insulated boxes at the LFS or if they try to charge you for them you can often get them from the local pharmacist. They get insulin and other meds in refrigerated boxes that are sometimes better suited for the smaller shipments that hobbyists make.

I recommend getting the smallest box to fit your application. This will help to insure that your bag is not rattling around inside the box during shipment and will cost you less with the carrier. If your bag is smaller than the interrior of the box (vertically or horizontally) you should re-use (greener) packing peanuts or crumbled newspaper to fill the void.

 

SHIPPING:

IME all overnight shipping ranges from $100-$130 for a single box depending where it's going. The more you don't do yourself such as generating a shipping label, sealing the box, dropping off the box to the carrier, affixing the shipping label to the box, will cost you more. If you generate the label online then ask them to do additional services after the fact or your package is over weight, do not be surprised to see a higher bill on your credit card statement than what you were quoted.

When you ship give some thought to the weather. Most of the time it's fine not to add a hot pack or a cold pack to the box, but if you're shipping to Buffalo in January or El Paso in July, you might want to consider using them accordingly. On that matter you should always put a few layers of news paper between the bag and the heater or cold pack.

 

ALTERNATIVE SHIPPING:

If you're a cheapskate like me and/or have a buyer/seller who is willing to work with you you can opt for airport to airport shipping. This will get you a hundred pounds of shipping weight with as many boxes as you need shipped from one airport to the next. This is about half the cost and is great for reducing transit times and cost for bulk orders. Check with your local air freight company for pricing and availability. Plan ahead because this will take more time than the local FedEx clerk. Especially the first time.

For hardier corals like zoanthids, you can ship second day without harming the coral.

 

When shipping corals I have found that it is better to send unmounted frags. There is less damage to the bag, less damage to the frag and less chance of introducing someone else's hitchhikers to your system. As with all things, QUARRANTINE!!! Also when shipping corals and anemones, it is best to just barely cover them with water and add as much air/O2 as possible.

 

Happy shipping!

[dbartco]

Any experience with the "breathable" bags? (yeah, checking mofib as well... )

[WDLV]

Any experience with the "breathable" bags? (yeah, checking mofib as well... )

No. I haven't messed with those yet. I'm not sure I will. It seems pointless to change now. Nothing I've shipped has ever died in transit to date.