need help shipping coral!

One Reefing Boi · May 10, 2023

I shipped coral before and it has gone okay, but this time of year I struggle a bit. It’s about 70 where I live but if someone from a warmer state (Florida/Texas etc..) where it’s upper 70s-mid 80s - do I include a cooler pack? Would a cooler pack be too cold for where I am (70 deg) and cause it to drop too low?

also, where do people get insulated boxes? I got mine from uline but they’re like $50/box for a small 8x6x6 and shipping on that small of a box is between $40-$90 for overnight.
Thanks!

The_Paradox · May 10, 2023

I usually throw a few grains of carbon in the bag before sealing them, then wrap the bag in several layers of butcher paper. Then place the bags in the cooler with a cool pack. As for the coolers, if you don’t have any check with your local fish store. They usually throw/give them away by the dozens.

Jason_MrFrags · May 10, 2023

Buy cardboard boxes and then Sheets of rigid insulation foam from lowes/home depot. Cut to build your own inside the box.

One Reefing Boi · May 10, 2023

Yeah, that can deff be a cheaper alternative. Curious if I should be using a cooler pack or not though given the temperature diffemrces

The_Paradox · May 10, 2023

If it’s going somewhere in the 80s I usually do. If you’re shipping priority overnight it’s probably fine without as it should be delivered before noon.

Not woodyarmadillo · May 10, 2023

As someone in Texas, I am new to this (started in February) but I have only received stuff with little heat packs in it so far. Again it hasn’t been higher than about 85 though so far when I’ve received them. I’ve ordered from several different vendors and of the probably 7 packages I’ve received with coral, they all seem to have a good styrofoam cooler, good plastic bags with some peanuts to fill in spaces, and sometimes a little paper with a small heat pack on top. I don’t have any experience in the warmer weather yet though. I haven’t received any dead coral.