Kraylen was asking me how I wanted some stuff shipped and I spouted my opinion on some shipping methods and I thought I'd open it up to a larger discussion.
I see these main methods of shipping coral.
Bag
The coral is placed in a poly bag with water and some air. The bag is then "sealed" via many methods of rubber bands, knots, staples, etc..
Bag with frag in corner of baggie
The coral is placed in the cut off corner of a sandwich bag and then placed in a poly bag with water and some air. The bag is then "sealed" via many methods of rubber bands, knots, staples, etc.. The thought process is that the baggie helps the frag from getting knocked around
Bag with frag attached to foam with a rubberband
The coral is secured to a piece of foam and then floated inside the poly bag. The bag is then "sealed" via many methods of rubber bands, knots, staples, etc.. The thought process is that the foam keeps the frag from hitting the sides of the bag.
Cup (Urine cup or other)
The frag is placed in a plastic specimen cup, filled with water and then sealed off with it's cap. This is one of the newer methods of shipping frags.
Cup with frag in corner of baggie
The frag is placed the corner of a cut off sandwich baggie and then placed in a plastic specimen cup, filled with water and then sealed off with it's cap.
Cup with frag glued to lid
The frag is glued to the lid of the cup. The cup is filled with water and then closed. The cup is then shipped upside down.
I'd like to discuss what everyone thinks the pros and cons to each method are.
I don't like the methods that put the frag inside the corner of a baggie. When corals are shipped they expel waste, toxins, slime, etc.. You're essentially locking the frag away from the little water it has and leaving it to sit in it's waste.
I prefer two methods from above. First, the simple frag in a ploy bag with water. The twist is I have been experimenting with adding a pinch of carbon to each bag. The carbon must be rinsed very well so that it doesn't leach dust to the water. The carbon in theory should help pull out the toxins in the water. Second is the specimen cup with the frag glued to the lid. The frag is well protected with the harder cup and won't bounce around being glued. The problem with specimen cups is they are limited by size.
Thoughts?
I see these main methods of shipping coral.
Bag
The coral is placed in a poly bag with water and some air. The bag is then "sealed" via many methods of rubber bands, knots, staples, etc..
Bag with frag in corner of baggie
The coral is placed in the cut off corner of a sandwich bag and then placed in a poly bag with water and some air. The bag is then "sealed" via many methods of rubber bands, knots, staples, etc.. The thought process is that the baggie helps the frag from getting knocked around
Bag with frag attached to foam with a rubberband
The coral is secured to a piece of foam and then floated inside the poly bag. The bag is then "sealed" via many methods of rubber bands, knots, staples, etc.. The thought process is that the foam keeps the frag from hitting the sides of the bag.
Cup (Urine cup or other)
The frag is placed in a plastic specimen cup, filled with water and then sealed off with it's cap. This is one of the newer methods of shipping frags.
Cup with frag in corner of baggie
The frag is placed the corner of a cut off sandwich baggie and then placed in a plastic specimen cup, filled with water and then sealed off with it's cap.
Cup with frag glued to lid
The frag is glued to the lid of the cup. The cup is filled with water and then closed. The cup is then shipped upside down.
I'd like to discuss what everyone thinks the pros and cons to each method are.
I don't like the methods that put the frag inside the corner of a baggie. When corals are shipped they expel waste, toxins, slime, etc.. You're essentially locking the frag away from the little water it has and leaving it to sit in it's waste.
I prefer two methods from above. First, the simple frag in a ploy bag with water. The twist is I have been experimenting with adding a pinch of carbon to each bag. The carbon must be rinsed very well so that it doesn't leach dust to the water. The carbon in theory should help pull out the toxins in the water. Second is the specimen cup with the frag glued to the lid. The frag is well protected with the harder cup and won't bounce around being glued. The problem with specimen cups is they are limited by size.
Thoughts?