winter... need frags.

[Anthonius]

so I am really wanting to buy some frags but scared that the temps here wont be very well for the frags... even with overnight. is there anyone that can tell me different?

I live in Sioux City, IA which tomorrows high is 19 *F and it doesnt look as if its going to be getting much warmer any time soon. Brrrrr... will the frags make it and what type of packing helps it?

 

[clownfreak]

Any decent company will package frags with heat packs and insulation. The low temp may still be an issue so I'd wait until somebody with more experience chimes in. The way I've always gotten livestock has been through my LFS and other local hobbists.

 

[meco65]

You might try to find some local reefers that sale frags and just go pick them up. Look up your local clubs.

 

[byrdman81]

I had some coral shipped overnight right after christmas time that were sent to me when our over night lows were 20-27 cant remember exactly. Coral arrived at my house at 130 pm and everything was fine. Heat pack were still warm.

 

[Whisperer]

They are usually shipped with heat packs but the water do get really cold. It is best to wait till the season changes. If the urge is too strong, DFS does a very good job in shipping livestock in this weather. A 14-day warranty is always a plus.

 

[Green_Reefer]

Any reputable supplier should properly package your corals for cold weather shipping. The biggest risk is how the shipping company handles and stores your package during transit. I've had airline freight show up well under 70 degrees (probably left outside on the ramp) and have had Fedex overnight show up quicker and almost at tank temp. You mileage may vary and there is a risk with weather delaying the shipping, but no real reason not to do it.

An arrive alive guarantee from your supplier is the best way to go.

 

[DustinB]

I think the biggest thing is going to be keeping an eye out for storms/icy conditions. The cold isn't a problem with a good shipper using 40+ hour heat packs. The problem comes from 2-3 day delays due to a storm or icy roads/runway.

 

[cjdevito]

so I am really wanting to buy some frags but scared that the temps here wont be very well for the frags... even with overnight. is there anyone that can tell me different?

I live in Sioux City, IA which tomorrows high is 19 *F and it doesnt look as if its going to be getting much warmer any time soon. Brrrrr... will the frags make it and what type of packing helps it?

I've had stuff shipped to me in bad weather quite often, usually without problems. Stuff does occasionally go wrong, though, and there are things you can do to minimize the chances of that happening....

1. Order from a seller where you can specify the ship date and the shipping method. You want to do this because there are companies out there that will ship when they get around to it (which could be weeks, and in any sort of weather) via the cheapest option they can find (usually USPS priority mail, a bad choice in inclement weather).
2. Order from a seller who offers a live arrival guarantee. Almost everybody does. Order from a seller who offers a stay alive guarantee. Not as many do this, but the ones who do you can guarantee pack their livestock quite well (in full sealed styrofoam coolers, with heat packs, multiply bagged, individual organism to a bag, with oxygen in the bag, and extra packing in the cooler to keep things from getting tossed around).
3. Look at the national weather forecasts for when you want your package shipped. It's not enough to have good weather where you and where the shipper is; if a major storm shuts down a transit hub between the two of you your packages may end up stuck on the ground for days. Figure out a window of reasonably good weather and ask for your package to be shipped then.
4. If temperatures on the ground near you are really, really low ask for the package to held at the nearest fedex/ups center for you to pick it up rather than having it delivered to your doorstep. Keeps them from sitting on a cold truck all day.

 

[Anthonius]

lately its been upper 20s and low 30s but can i expect that fish/frags should make it just fine? I was just thinking a couple chromis from DFS and a few pieces from the divers den.

 

[Basketstar]

LA wont disappoint. Also a 14 day guarantee.

 

[Anthonius]

LA wont disappoint. Also a 14 day guarantee.

I think I will try an order from DFS/LA and see what happens.

 

[Anthonius]

well friday and saturday are in the upper 30s and into the 40s. So being as reefhotspot.com has free shipping on all orders over 99.99 I ordered 3 fish and 2 frags and paid 12 bucks extra for the saturday delivery. What great timing! This should tide me over until spring time

 

[The Velvet Sea]

I've received several shipments this winter without issue. All of the vendors have used heat packs.

I was actually a bit disappointed with my last shipment from Liveaquaria though, and it was from the Divers Den no less. The box was huge, even though I only received 2 coals. There was so much space in the box taken up with just peanuts that the heat pack wasn't really helping. The water was very cold but both corals turned out fine so no harm no foul I guess.

 

[Eurobeaner]

ive been waiting on my coral shipment from mr coral for damn near a month now. they delayed the first one- ice storm on the east coast near them. potential shipping delay. then i delayed cause a snow storm, then i delayed again because of an ice storm near me. sucks. but, finally today its only 8 degrees and no snow. so shipping today and will get tomorrow! WOOHOOO!

id say they are doing heat packs and foam. might remember to update tomorrow with issues or success.

 

[Anthonius]

i sure would appreciate your update... my delivery is scheduled for saturday and I will update hopefully with some pics. i got fish and frags coming

 

[Anthonius]

Sooooo... Reefhotspot failed to give UPS my package on Friday and my package wasnt delivered yesterday. I paid extra for Saturday delivery so now I have to call and get that refunded. Good thing this week is looking like a few days in the 50s!!! crazy seeing as I live in Iowa its supposed to be freezing!

 

[Anthonius]

Turns out they actually cancelled my order... I didnt even get an e-mail headsup or anything... weird. maybe they can shed some light on Monday as to why they would cancel my order. I just logged into the rhs website and checked order status and it shows as cancelled with a tracking number.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

Most decent shippers won't ship if they can't guarantee delivery in cold weather. Not saying that's the reason, just that it's a common one.

Jeff

 

[Anthonius]

really odd because all this week is looking like its going to be in the 50s. and if its overnight shipping as long as they are using heat packs there shouldnt be too much of a concern. i will call them tomorrow and see what the deal is. maybe I can get the order replaced.

 

[Eurobeaner]

sorry. forgot to update. overnight delivery was scheduled for 10:30, didnt get them till 5:30. water was SUPER cold, it was 6 degrees outside.... so that didnt help. popped the bags in the tank. waited 20 min then put the frags on the rack. the SPS had PE the next morning, a few zoas opened that night, the rest the next morning. the only one thats looking bad is a monti, and i cant really tell if its dying, or just a crappy color. lol.

cold DOES kill red bugs though was a few bags with them in the bottom. thats like a built in plus/free dip! haha