Exposing SPS to cold air

[tmb22]

Could I run into issues exposing SPS to very cold air (lets say 20ºF or -7ºC) for a very brief period of time (maybe 15 seconds or so)?

Here's the context:
I'm moving from one apartment to another in Chicago, and I'm moving to the top of a 4 story building. I'm planning on moving my corals in a warm van in buckets and rubbermaid containers full of saltwater. But once I get to the apartment, it would be a pain to drag a 150lb rubbermaid container up 4 flights of stairs. So I was thinking of snatching the rock with encrusted SPS out of the container, and running it up to the apartment. I just don't want any losses.

Thoughts?

 

[stikhead]

Go to a local fish store and get a styofoam shipping container .if it is to big for that at least cover with wet newspaper/papertows I would be more afraid of drying out

 

[Tahiti]

Would the rock fit in a 5 gallon bucket?

 

[joekidwell]

I'd put them in a bag at least to keep the cold air from direct contact. Have you ever stepped out of the shower and it feels really cold, imagine you're house at 20° and stepping out of the shower. Just my opinion wouldn't want to cause any extra stress from the move.

 

[MIKE NY]

also depends on the acro..most have a slime coating which can give them some protection, but the smooth skin "deepwaters" don't and can't handle direct air or dipping as well...

 

[leveldrummer]

wet a clean towel, and wrap it around the rock/coral to keep it covered and wet. it should help keep the cold air off it to keep it alive.

 

[xtm]

Only 15 seconds? nah, you'll be fine. 30 minutes could be an issue, but 15 seconds or even 5 minutes would be ok. I recently re-aquascaped my tank and took some extra rocks (with some acros encrusted on them) outside. Granted it's not that cold, they did sit there for at least 24 hours and the temps dropped to about 45'F. I went to work the next day and continued re-aquascaping when I got home. I later decided I wanted to use some of the rocks again so I rinsed them and put em back in the display. The corals that are on the rocks are just fine like nothing happened. I think these SPS are tougher than what we give them credit for.

 

[tmb22]

Thanks all, for the responses.

Go to a local fish store and get a styofoam shipping container .if it is to big for that at least cover with wet newspaper/papertows I would be more afraid of drying out

I believe the pieces I want to move are unfortunately too big for the conventional Styrofoam box. But I think the damp paper towels idea could work. Thanks!

Would the rock fit in a 5 gallon bucket?

Some of the pieces would, and I plan on taking them up in those buckets; but a few of the bigger pieces are too large for the buckets. I'm scared of breaking off acro branches!

I'd put them in a bag at least to keep the cold air from direct contact. Have you ever stepped out of the shower and it feels really cold, imagine you're house at 20° and stepping out of the shower. Just my opinion wouldn't want to cause any extra stress from the move.

Nice analogy... I HATE getting out of the shower into a cold bathroom! Haha.

also depends on the acro..most have a slime coating which can give them some protection, but the smooth skin "deepwaters" don't and can't handle direct air or dipping as well...

Luckily I don't have any deep waters in my collection yet. I'm sure my acros will be plenty slimy after the trip to the new apartment.

wet a clean towel, and wrap it around the rock/coral to keep it covered and wet. it should help keep the cold air off it to keep it alive.

Thanks for the idea. Something damp to cover the acros seems to be a theme I'm seeing.

Only 15 seconds? nah, you'll be fine. 30 minutes could be an issue, but 15 seconds or even 5 minutes would be ok. I recently re-aquascaped my tank and took some extra rocks (with some acros encrusted on them) outside. Granted it's not that cold, they did sit there for at least 24 hours and the temps dropped to about 45'F. I went to work the next day and continued re-aquascaping when I got home. I later decided I wanted to use some of the rocks again so I rinsed them and put em back in the display. The corals that are on the rocks are just fine like nothing happened. I think these SPS are tougher than what we give them credit for.

WOW! That's really unbelievable to me! I think you're right that people underestimate how tough these acros can be. Thanks for sharing. Makes me a lot more confident that things will work out just fine.

 

[jfuka78]

Any building over three stories should have an elevator by code somewhere. I am in the burbs of Chicago

 

[tmb22]

Any building over three stories should have an elevator by code somewhere. I am in the burbs of Chicago

I wish! I think this building got away with it because technically the first floor is a "basement" event though it's above ground.

 

[nonstopfishies]

I wouldn't be concerned as long as the cold temps are short. The air should be fine. I have heard stories of people leaving an sps out of water for 12+ hours and having no issues when put back into the tank.

 

[xtm]

During low tide, these corals get exposed to scorching tropical sun for several hours each day. If they can stand that, I'm sure they can stand 15 seconds of cold

 

[nonstopfishies]

During low tide, these corals get exposed to scorching tropical sun for several hours each day. If they can stand that, I'm sure they can stand 15 seconds of cold

The wild is a bit different. They started growing in those conditions and continued to grow while developing the proper responses to withstand the elements. No one and no where is coral growing outside in the cold.