hydrodmg
Members
I need some advice on fish shipping. I want to try aqua bid once to see how I like it. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Depending on the size of the fish I either use poly bags and O2 or breather bags. Larger/spinier fish get 2-3 heavy poly bagsm smaller fish go in breathers. You'll need to insulate the shipping box with styrofoam. I buy it at Lowe's in sheets and cut to size to line the inside of the boxes. Heat packs are also necessary if the low temps are below 50, might want to use 2 if it's really cold. The 60 or 72 hour packs are good for Priority Mail, mostly what people choose since it's less expensive. (They work fine for overnight too.) I buy all my shipping supplies from kensfish.com, best prices I've found all around.
Some shippers use new conditioned water to ship the fish instead of the water from the tank they where in.
Ok, so I started shipping a few months back. I have had enough fish shipped to me over the years that I realize what works and what does not.
I have shipped Africans, no larger than 2", ABN's and Shrimp.
Box.
Get a box that the bag will fit it, and fit in as tightly as possible. You will want to line the inside of the box with an insulator...I have been using sheets of white insulation from Lowe's as I have found they hold the heat in and are the most inexpensive. Cut the sheets so that they are air tight, this prevents the cold of Winter getting in.
Don't do what I did and buy 24 hour heat packs because they are cheaper...get the 60 hour packs. Tape the heat pack to either the side or the top on the insulation (inside the box of course) and tape the pack so it does not move around the box. Be careful that the heat pack does not touch the bag of fish as the pack could get up to 110f.
When closing the top of the box make sure that there is no air between the the top of the insulation and the lid of the box...it should be a tight fit.
When placing the filled bag into the box place put it in there so there is no way the bag can wiggle around. If there is a loose fit then add something like bubblewrap or newspaper around the bag to get the bag "stuck" in really good.
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Also you may want to put a small hole in the lid behind where you tape the heat pack. These work on O2 so if its packed air tight the heaters will only work until the O2 runs out.
Got this from Discus Hans. He cuts a small hole in the lid and then covers the hole with the heat pack and tapes into place.
Good info Bill. You're starting to give me a little confidence about shipping myself...