Cross state transport

ATC · Sep 29, 2021

Ok so we are going to TX next week from nm and there are several really nice stores there and I wanted to pick up a couple corals or more if I can go to the store without the wife. but I’m not sure if they will survive the trip home. It’s a 10 hour drive and I will have to pick them up the night before we leave so they will most likely be in bag or bucket for well over 24 hours before I can get them home and in the tank I’m just wondering if it’s really feasible or not. And if it is what’s my best chance for success. We are taking our camper so if I need heater or air pumps I will be able to set up a mini life support if need be. If it matters they will most likely be zoas. Or soft corals. Thanks in advance.

Timfish · Sep 29, 2021

If you can keep the temperature stable 24 hours shouldn't be an issue. I'd definitely ask for a larger bag and extra water (seen some LFS employees get very good at keeping water in a bag to a minimum). Even if you use a bucket to hold them I'd keep the frags in bags so they don't physically touch each other or mix thier slime together. Floating the bags in a bucket of water the right temp certainly makes it easier to maintian temperature due to the added thermal mass.

ariellemermaid · Sep 29, 2021

Have you ever ordered a coral online? It sits in a bag in an insulated box (with heat packs) for at least 24 hours. In a camper you have a ton of options; many ways to skin that cat. Definitely want to try and control temperature by whatever means is most convenient to you.

MONTANTK · Sep 29, 2021

You should be fine! Softies and most zoas are super hardy. Often times they’re in bags for as long as 32 hours when they’re being shipped. Wouldn’t be surprised if sometimes it’s even longer. Keep the temp stable and you’ll be good to go!

Gtinnel · Sep 29, 2021

With you being able to keep the temp regulated, as already mentioned it shouldn't be a big deal.

ATC · Sep 29, 2021

Thank you all for the help From what I can tell if I bring my extra heater I should be good to go maybe I will just buy a couple gallons of pre made water from them and load up a 5 gallon bucket. should I add an air stone or just heater and send it.

Gtinnel · Sep 29, 2021

ATC said:
Thank you all for the help From what I can tell if I bring my extra heater I should be good to go maybe I will just buy a couple gallons of pre made water from them and load up a 5 gallon bucket. should I add an air stone or just heater and send it.

I would personally just keep the corals in their bags, so an airstone wouldn't be necessary. I'd float the bags in a bucket of water with a heater. Just make sure to use something to keep the plastic bag from touching the heater. I'd be afraid of the plastic melting (although I'm not sure if it would or not).

ATC · Oct 15, 2021

Thank you to all who helped I ended up with 2 colony’s 1 giant colony of palys and a medium sized colony of Zoas and 2 small zoa frags they ended up spending close to 48 hours in their bags we ran into some really crazy wind on the way back and had split the drive back into 2 days but every one got into the tank and opened up almost immediately. Here are some pictures of my haul for all’s enjoyment.