Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Aurora, CO
Posts: 1,255
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Phase 3: Preparing the coral shipment.
a. For box sizes and how I package corals, here are approximate corals I can fit per box size.
-- You will figure out your own variance, since you may use different cups, or put more water, but you can get a rough order of magnitude.
ii. 8x8x9 Uline (1.5” wall) = 8-9 total corals
iii. 8x9x9 PT (¾” wall) = 11-12 corals
iv. 7x11x12 PT = (¾” wall) 18/19 corals
v. 12x12x9 Medical (1.5” wall) = 25 corals.
b. Larger corals inside the 3oz espresso cup or 4oz P cup take roughly the size of 1.5 of the 2oz cup.
Sealing with an impulse sealer. I usually ship corals with little to no air inside the bag. I asked in a few forums and never got a good answer, so after being uncomfortable the first 5-7 packages (all SPS) I am now comfortable shipping this way. I do however take the water near the output of my skimmer, since it’s really full of O2, but have no proof that it helps or hurts.
The specific impulse sealer I have,PFS-300, is set to #3 and that setting is perfect for both 3 and 4 mil bags. Lesson learned: Push flat on the bar, ensuring not to pull on the bag. A few times I’ve inadvertently pulled on the bag and the heat bar melted and stretches the bag right where the seal is. Often you can immediately reseal it farther down so it’s not an issue, just something I've noticed and dealt with.
I don’t put the bag down once picked up and water is added, but if needed, you can use a cup so it doesn’t fall over. Also, you can heat seal the ends so the bag stands up better but I still wouldn’t trust it not to topple over.
If you’re going to ship colonies, this method isn’t going to work. I only once shipped colonies and it really wasn’t ideal, actually nearly a disaster. If anyone has good advice on larger coral, I’m all ears. I assume the rubber band method is going to be used but also larger bags will be required.
Timing – Goal for me is to have the corals in the box for the least amount of time practical. I rarely ship more than one box on any given day so I can take my time to prepare a coral package in about an hour or less. My FedEx latest drop off time for next day Priority is 5:30pm and that is 4 blocks away - so my target is to get the package there between 5 and 5:15pm. Be prepared, know where other locations are with later drop off times. For me, other drop-off locations are for 6:30pm, and the Airport at 8:00pm so if a problem arises (old Murphy’s law) I can still finish and get the package out. Each one of those locations though is farther and further from my house, where the Airport is more than an hour round trip in driving time; that’s why I don’t just take them to the airport since I don’t want each package to be a 3-4 hour event.
Epilogue: For me everything is fair game to change. The carrier, materials, supplier, or anything else -- I’m open and flexible to make changes due to experience, someone’s advice, or feedback from a hobbyist buying my coral. I know there are other ways and methods, feel free to offer up any additional advice to help folks propagate coral resulting in less impact to natural reef resources. Reef on my friends and hope there is some value you found in this!
As an aside, I always go and pick up my coral packages from a FedEx/UPS facility. It’s available for pickup earlier, around 9am, so that cuts actual time the corals sit closed up in box (which is better for the corals). Second, loading the truck generally lends your coral through an additional round of being tossed around. When delivered to your home, the package sits on a metal shelf in the back of a delivery truck and is subjected to every pothole while driving all over the city or on rural roads (think back of sitting in the back of the long yellow bus to school). Third, I have personally had a lot of issues with my deliveries directly to my house, from leaving the package at the front door without ringing the door bell, to putting it on its side, and walking away. If you’ve searched youtube, shipping companies are not known to be careful with your package, no matter what is written on them. You will take much better care of putting the box in the front or back seat of your vehicle and driving straight home to start acclimation. When I sell coral, I mention this, but ultimately, I understand it is much more convenient to have it handed to you at your front door. Choice is up to you. Again, I go pick it up and feel it’s better.
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