Can anyone tell me how I can ship coral and fish?

dulim · 04/11/2006, 09:28 PM

I need to sell everything in my reef tank. I was wondering if there is a step by step thread on shipping corals and fish. Thanks.

Konadog · 04/11/2006, 09:32 PM

What type of coral, there are many different ways and it depends on what type. SPS, LPS, softies, etc...

dulim · 04/11/2006, 09:35 PM

LPS mostly. Rose anenome, mushrooms, xenia, leather coral, and some small fish.

Konadog · 04/11/2006, 09:47 PM

Xenia is a bad shipper. It usually ends up being a bag of yuck! Mushrooms and leathers are great shippers, just bag with enough water to keep them covered at all times and pack tight. Double bagging is a must, and if the rock that has the coral attached is sharp, place an empty bag inside the shipping bag for padding. LPS, depending on type can be done the same way, but like to have consistent water temp. Check on where you are shipping to, and add heat/cold packs as needed. Don't place them directly on the bags, but in the box with the corals. Again, some LPS are very sharp, so you should wrap them in an extra bag and place them in the shipping bag. Anemones ship best if not attached to a rock, it tends to damage them.

dulim · 04/11/2006, 10:45 PM

Thanks Konadog. Should I place it in a styrofoam box? How close to the coral should I place the heat/cold packs? What is the safest way to get the anemone off the rock?

Konadog · 04/11/2006, 11:40 PM

A Styrofoam box will help keep the bags insulated from outside air temp changes. It should also be placed in a cardboard box for shipping. If you pack newspaper between the bags, the heat/cold packs can go there if enough room, or on the inside of the lid. Remember, things leak, so seal the bags, Styrofoam box, cardboard box as good as possible.

For anemone removal, you can try any of the following:
Try moving the rock it's on, it may move on its own, point a powerhead at it (gently) and it may move, use an ice cube on the foot and see if it starts to lift, you may be able to peal it off that way. In any of these methods, be very careful, and give the anemone time to recover some before shipping.

04/11/2006, 09:28 PM	#1
dulim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Davis, Ca Posts: 208	Can anyone tell me how I can ship coral and fish? I need to sell everything in my reef tank. I was wondering if there is a step by step thread on shipping corals and fish. Thanks. __________________ It seems as though I have a strong dislike for money. Everytime I get some, I want to get rid of it. Current Tank Info: 50 gal with 40 gal sump . Hang on refugium. LPS and fat fish. Layers of Green Algae.

04/11/2006, 09:32 PM	#2
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	What type of coral, there are many different ways and it depends on what type. SPS, LPS, softies, etc... __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

04/11/2006, 09:35 PM	#3
dulim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Davis, Ca Posts: 208	LPS mostly. Rose anenome, mushrooms, xenia, leather coral, and some small fish. __________________ It seems as though I have a strong dislike for money. Everytime I get some, I want to get rid of it. Current Tank Info: 50 gal with 40 gal sump . Hang on refugium. LPS and fat fish. Layers of Green Algae.

04/11/2006, 09:47 PM	#4
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	Xenia is a bad shipper. It usually ends up being a bag of yuck! Mushrooms and leathers are great shippers, just bag with enough water to keep them covered at all times and pack tight. Double bagging is a must, and if the rock that has the coral attached is sharp, place an empty bag inside the shipping bag for padding. LPS, depending on type can be done the same way, but like to have consistent water temp. Check on where you are shipping to, and add heat/cold packs as needed. Don't place them directly on the bags, but in the box with the corals. Again, some LPS are very sharp, so you should wrap them in an extra bag and place them in the shipping bag. Anemones ship best if not attached to a rock, it tends to damage them. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

04/11/2006, 10:45 PM	#5
dulim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Davis, Ca Posts: 208	Thanks Konadog. Should I place it in a styrofoam box? How close to the coral should I place the heat/cold packs? What is the safest way to get the anemone off the rock? __________________ It seems as though I have a strong dislike for money. Everytime I get some, I want to get rid of it. Current Tank Info: 50 gal with 40 gal sump . Hang on refugium. LPS and fat fish. Layers of Green Algae.

04/11/2006, 11:40 PM	#6
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	A Styrofoam box will help keep the bags insulated from outside air temp changes. It should also be placed in a cardboard box for shipping. If you pack newspaper between the bags, the heat/cold packs can go there if enough room, or on the inside of the lid. Remember, things leak, so seal the bags, Styrofoam box, cardboard box as good as possible. For anemone removal, you can try any of the following: Try moving the rock it's on, it may move on its own, point a powerhead at it (gently) and it may move, use an ice cube on the foot and see if it starts to lift, you may be able to peal it off that way. In any of these methods, be very careful, and give the anemone time to recover some before shipping. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!