Picking up live rock

[wynagain]

Looking for an insight on what to expect when picking up some live rock at an airport in Eugene oregon for the first time. Anything to help me be more prepared would be appreciated. Its through delta cargo and I've never set foot in this airport. Should i plan on being there when the plane lands? How much is involved getting the paperwork straightened out and the boxes picked up. Should i bring an aerator along as i am 2 1/2 hrs away. So nervous about this ordeal.

 

[fishface NJ]

I would get to the airport before the arrival. It will give you time to find out where to go and relax. Can't help with the airport. No need for aerator. Your live rocks will be in shipping box(es). You'll transport them home in the closed box(es).

 

[danreef55]

I am not familiar with the Eugene airport particulars.
Here is the normal process:

• Track the cargo to assure it is on the flight
• Freight charges MUST be paid prior to pickup (if not ppd)
• Go to the cargo department
• Government issued ID

The freight should be available within an hour of arrival.
The rock will normally be in waxed cardboard boxes covered in damp paper towels or similar. There is no reason to rush but you should have a container of preheated saltwater prepared at home.
Exactly how to proceed and the time depends.
Is the tank cycled or will you be using the rock to cycle?

If your tank is uncycled then rinse with fresh salt water and get to aquascaping:)

If your tank is already cycled.....
Place the rock in the container with a robust powerhead. Leave it there without light for about a week and check for odor. If you smell die off let sit for another few days.
Rinse and inspect for unwanted hitch hikers.

Finally, ENJOY!

 

[Jamie814]

Looking for an insight on what to expect when picking up some live rock at an airport in Eugene oregon for the first time. Anything to help me be more prepared would be appreciated. Its through delta cargo and I've never set foot in this airport. Should i plan on being there when the plane lands? How much is involved getting the paperwork straightened out and the boxes picked up. Should i bring an aerator along as i am 2 1/2 hrs away. So nervous about this ordeal.

The shipper should provide the flight number as soon as it’s available. You can then track the flight in real time on sites like FlightAware to see its ETA.
Once it lands allow an additional 20 minutes to an hour for unloading and making it ready for pickup.

Search for the terminal’s Delta air cargo customer cargo pickup address and give them a call for their specific pickup instructions.

Don’t bring an air pump—it’s unnecessary and could actually be harmful, as increasing the oxygen content can raise the pH and make any ammonia present more toxic.

 

[Fish Fan]

I have no idea about the Oregon airport, but for me and I believe the majority of airports, the air cargo pickup area is not in the airport proper. You don't have to go to the main gates and deal with any of the security. For me, my air cargo pickup was a small building adjacent to the airport. Overall, it was a bit challenging to find the building, but once I did it was very easy from there. I just showed an ID for the package, and started to load the boxes in the car.

I hope your experience goes smoothly too!

 

[danreef55]

P.S. If you need more assistance dont hesitate to ask

 

[Freenow54]

How far are you from the Airport? I would consider totes full of Salt Water for the trip home to keep it alive

 

[Fish Fan]

Looking for an insight on what to expect when picking up some live rock at an airport in Eugene oregon for the first time. Anything to help me be more prepared would be appreciated. Its through delta cargo and I've never set foot in this airport. Should i plan on being there when the plane lands? How much is involved getting the paperwork straightened out and the boxes picked up. Should i bring an aerator along as i am 2 1/2 hrs away. So nervous about this ordeal.

Who did you order from? I used Tampa Bay Saltwater and everything comes packed in an insulated box submerged in water. You won't need bubbler, just take the package home and open it there. TBS has detailed instructions on how to unpack and acclimate everything. If you purchased from somewhere else, they will likely have their own instructions, which I think you should follow.

Here's a great post about what it's like ordering from TBS including the airport pickup and getting the boxes unpacked and in the aquarium:

The Tampa Bay Saltwater Experience

I've been a Tampa Bay Saltwater customer for more than a decade now and have started at least half a dozen saltwater reef aquariums using their rock, sand, and clean-up crew. TBS is an amazing asset and resource for hobbyists in the USA. In this article, I hope to offer some insight into their...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[KrisReef]

https://www.deltacargo.com/Cargo/

 

[wynagain]

Thank you all for the replies. It will be about 2 1/2 hour drive to get home where i will have the tank ready. It is a brand new set up and will have saltwater going for 2-3 days beforehand. Im sure I'm panicking myself more than necessary and over thinking things as i normally do. Then when i get home with the rock and sand i can really freak out.

Oh, it's coming from Tampa Bay and the have been great with all my questions. They will be sending it in two batches 3 weeks apart.

 

[hatfielj]

Looking for an insight on what to expect when picking up some live rock at an airport in Eugene oregon for the first time. Anything to help me be more prepared would be appreciated. Its through delta cargo and I've never set foot in this airport. Should i plan on being there when the plane lands? How much is involved getting the paperwork straightened out and the boxes picked up. Should i bring an aerator along as i am 2 1/2 hrs away. So nervous about this ordeal.

I would actually encourage you not to leave your house until you get notice that the package is ready for pickup. If you get there too early and there's a delay, you could be sitting around waiting for hours.
Usually you won't be going in the airport itself. The cargo terminals are typically near the airport in an industrial area. Check the address they send you for pick up.
Otherwise, you just pick it up, pay, and drive it home. No, you don't need to bring any equipment. But, once you get it home wear gloves when putting the rock in the tank. There will be all sort of junk on it like dead sponges, bristle worms, and all sorts of other possibilities.

 

[kevgib67]

I was just given the cargo address separate from the main terminal. I bought from TBS , one hour drive and in my display it went. Kept the buckets for water changes and such.

 

[wynagain]

Looking for an insight on what to expect when picking up some live rock at an airport in Eugene oregon for the first time. Anything to help me be more prepared would be appreciated. Its through delta cargo and I've never set foot in this airport. Should i plan on being there when the plane lands? How much is involved getting the paperwork straightened out and the boxes picked up. Should i bring an aerator along as i am 2 1/2 hrs away. So nervous about this ordeal.

I would actually encourage you not to leave your house until you get notice that the package is ready for pickup. If you get there too early and there's a delay, you could be sitting around waiting for hours.
Usually you won't be going in the airport itself. The cargo terminals are typically near the airport in an industrial area. Check the address they send you for pick up.
Otherwise, you just pick it up, pay, and drive it home. No, you don't need to bring any equipment. But, once you get it home wear gloves when putting the rock in the tank. There will be all sort of junk on it like dead sponges, bristle worms, and all sorts of other possibilities.

Thank you good information.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you all for the replies. It will be about 2 1/2 hour drive to get home where i will have the tank ready. It is a brand new set up and will have saltwater going for 2-3 days beforehand. Im sure I'm panicking myself more than necessary and over thinking things as i normally do. Then when i get home with the rock and sand i can really freak out.

Oh, it's coming from Tampa Bay and the have been great with all my questions. They will be sending it in two batches 3 weeks apart.

The ladies at TBS will not let you down!

The box made it 12 hours or so on a plane, it can make it another couple hours in your car

I'd follow all the instructions from TBS, and reach out both here and to them directly if you have any concerns.

It can be a stressful thing, as far as adding the rock and sand to your tank (not the pickup, that's easy). Did you have the base rock coming now, and the premium rock coming later?

Here's my personal thread from a few years ago, I'm almost embarrassed to share At the time, it had been a few years since my last tank, and I though I had a lot of aquarium experience, I ran into some issues, and absolutely FREAKED OUT lol!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/please-help-new-tanks-are-crashing-right-off-the-bat.1019209/#post-11928092

 

[wynagain]

Thank you all for the replies. It will be about 2 1/2 hour drive to get home where i will have the tank ready. It is a brand new set up and will have saltwater going for 2-3 days beforehand. Im sure I'm panicking myself more than necessary and over thinking things as i normally do. Then when i get home with the rock and sand i can really freak out.

Oh, it's coming from Tampa Bay and the have been great with all my questions. They will be sending it in two batches 3 weeks apart.

The ladies at TBS will not let you down!

The box made it 12 hours or so on a plane, it can make it another couple hours in your car

I'd follow all the instructions from TBS, and reach out both here and to them directly if you have any concerns.

It can be a stressful thing, as far as adding the rock and sand to your tank (not the pickup, that's easy). Did you have the base rock coming now, and the premium rock coming later?

Here's my personal thread from a few years ago, I'm almost embarrassed to share At the time, it had been a few years since my last tank, and I though I had a lot of aquarium experience, I ran into some issues, and absolutely FREAKED OUT lol!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/please-help-new-tanks-are-crashing-right-off-the-bat.1019209/#post-11928092

Yes sand and base rock first then premium on 2nd shipment

How do you tell people that I'm making a 5hr round trip to pick up a box of rocks and sand? They say what? Yup bunch of rocks. How much that cost ? Changes subject real fast. Specially the kids look at me like should we commit papa before he dumps all our inheritance.

 

[Fish Fan]

Yes sand and base rock first then premium on 2nd shipment

How do you tell people that I'm making a 5hr round trip to pick up a box of rocks and sand? They say what? Yup bunch of rocks. How much that cost ? Changes subject real fast. Specially the kids look at me like should we commit papa before he dumps all our inheritance.

Doing it in two shipments is the best way to go

 

[wynagain]

Looking for an insight on what to expect when picking up some live rock at an airport in Eugene oregon for the first time. Anything to help me be more prepared would be appreciated. Its through delta cargo and I've never set foot in this airport. Should i plan on being there when the plane lands? How much is involved getting the paperwork straightened out and the boxes picked up. Should i bring an aerator along as i am 2 1/2 hrs away. So nervous about this ordeal.

Who did you order from? I used Tampa Bay Saltwater and everything comes packed in an insulated box submerged in water. You won't need bubbler, just take the package home and open it there. TBS has detailed instructions on how to unpack and acclimate everything. If you purchased from somewhere else, they will likely have their own instructions, which I think you should follow.

Here's a great post about what it's like ordering from TBS including the airport pickup and getting the boxes unpacked and in the aquarium:

The Tampa Bay Saltwater Experience

I've been a Tampa Bay Saltwater customer for more than a decade now and have started at least half a dozen saltwater reef aquariums using their rock, sand, and clean-up crew. TBS is an amazing asset and resource for hobbyists in the USA. In this article, I hope to offer some insight into their...

www.reef2reef.com

Excellent thread about tampa bay rock, finally had time to read the full context thank you

 

[Fish Fan]

Excellent thread about tampa bay rock, finally had time to read the full context thank you

Yep! That pretty much sums it up

If you have any issues post back here at R2R and definitely reach out the the good ladies at TBS, I know they will help you

@LiverockRocks

Good luck!