Those who sell frags online Please Read!

[marie]

Originally Posted by Myka

As far as dry shipping goes...would it be beneficial or detrimental to ship with just enough water to cover the frag? I always ship with lots of water and use styrofoam on anything I can attach to it like Candy Cane, Duncan, Euphyllias, etc. Not gonna work for the Brains though...

I believe the theory is (and I could be wrong) that when a coral is packed in water there is a build of of waste and coral slime which can pollute the water.
So if your going to pack in water, more water is better.
I have sent montiporas (which can slime up really bad) wrapped in papertowel and sealed in bag plastic with no ill effect and that was 20hrs in transit

[Snappy]

I appreciate the suggestion of dry shipping but as a vendor I offer a guarantee so I can only ship with a proven method that I feel comfortable with to make such a guarantee. I don't think many of the more sensitive acros would be in very good shape when reaching their destination with the dry shipping, especially if there is a delay by the shipping company. That said if someone wants to pay for the shipping I will send them a couple of sps frags free as an experiment.

[fencer]

Hey Coral Master
I'd pay for greyhound shipping for some free frags and try dry shipping.
PM me LMO

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Snappy

That said if someone wants to pay for the shipping I will send them a couple of sps frags free as an experiment.

I could try that out. If you want to do Greyhound. Would be interesting as it would be an 18 hour trip for them I think. I'd prefer LPS though I don't think you sell LPS...? If not, digis would be nice.

[Snappy]

Originally Posted by Myka

I could try that out. If you want to do Greyhound. Would be interesting as it would be an 18 hour trip for them I think. I'd prefer LPS though I don't think you sell LPS...? If not, digis would be nice.

Sorry I don't ship greyhound unless there is no other means. It takes an extra 90 minutes out my day I don't have to travel across town and fight traffic. I prefer to use a courier that provides door to door service. Better for everyone that way.

fencerHey Coral Master
I'd pay for greyhound shipping for some free frags and try dry shipping.
PM me LMO

Please see above.

[Reefer Rob]

LOL don't try shipping Seriatapora dry, that experiment's already been done! The replacement coral I promptly received from the Vendor is doing well.

[rocketlily]

I just thought I would share my experience with dealing with an online vendor. This was my first online purchase, and the package just arrived (sitting in my office right now). Each frag is in it's own little bag. All bags were packed in a styrofoam box, nice and tight, no leaking. The vendor even packed a couple of presents with the order.

I know I can't mention names, but I will be being buying again from him.

Thank you Dave.

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by Snappy

I appreciate the suggestion of dry shipping but as a vendor I offer a guarantee so I can only ship with a proven method that I feel comfortable with to make such a guarantee. I don't think many of the more sensitive acros would be in very good shape when reaching their destination with the dry shipping, especially if there is a delay by the shipping company. That said if someone wants to pay for the shipping I will send them a couple of sps frags free as an experiment.

It's a pretty well understood method that never really caught on for some reason. You can wrap in wet paper towel strips of plastic to reduce jostling with an ounce or so of water to maintain humidity. The idea is that when the shipping water starts to foul the problem quickly compounds itself as the nasty water causes more tissue loss. Things encrusted on the plugs that die off can cause problems too, less of an issue if shipped dry.

I move pretty much everything this way but some LPS. I found that some things like euphyllia and xenia didn't take to well to it, they lived but took a while to recover, I raft those. Anemones do really well damp as well. I've tried packing like this at the store a bit but people usually look at me like I'm insane so I stopped.

Greg Sean B and I were thinking of ordering some stuff from you soon. Shoot me a PM and I'll give you some tips, then we can try it.

[wickedfrags]

I would guess that the reason that it did not catch on is because the overall success rate was not that high. Also, when shipping different species/varieties of coral, you may need to ship with water anyway so the potential savings in shipping would be reduced significantly.

It is interesting though, because some feel that the best way to acclimatise your new corals is to get them out of that "contaminated" shipping water ASAP, while others recommend floating, dripping ect. over an extended period.

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

It's a pretty well understood method that never really caught on for some reason. You can wrap in wet paper towel strips of plastic to reduce jostling with an ounce or so of water to maintain humidity. The idea is that when the shipping water starts to foul the problem quickly compounds itself as the nasty water causes more tissue loss. Things encrusted on the plugs that die off can cause problems too, less of an issue if shipped dry.

I move pretty much everything this way but some LPS. I found that some things like euphyllia and xenia didn't take to well to it, they lived but took a while to recover, I raft those. Anemones do really well damp as well. I've tried packing like this at the store a bit but people usually look at me like I'm insane so I stopped.

Greg Sean B and I were thinking of ordering some stuff from you soon. Shoot me a PM and I'll give you some tips, then we can try it.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by wickedfrags.com

I would guess that the reason that it did not catch on is because the overall success rate was not that high. Also, when shipping different species/varieties of coral, you may need to ship with water anyway so the potential savings in shipping would be reduced significantly.

It is interesting though, because some feel that the best way to acclimatise your new corals is to get them out of that "contaminated" shipping water ASAP, while others recommend floating, dripping ect. over an extended period.

We've got Anthony Calfo to refer to again. He's about the most authoratative voice I listen to. For sure, his opinion is fish and corals (generalizing) get out of the bag double-quick. Inverts, maybe not. Regarding dry-shipping anemones, probably yes.

I imagine that the reson dry-shipping didn't take off was fairly simple: the average punter can't see it as a good idea -- initially it seems cruel, irrational, or cut-corner cheap. Too much effort is required to explain it, so people get what they expect.