To ship or not to ship- That is the question!

[lyquidphyre]

I would like to ship some of my guppies to a fellow aquarium advice guru but considering the temperatures here are in the 30's and the temperatures in Ohio are in the 10's, im scared the poor fish will freeze themselves to death.
This is the planned set up-

2 day shipping (shipping on a Monday).
Insulate the box with styrafoam and newspaper
Use a heat pack of some sort.
If possible I will wrap the bags of fish in a cloth or something
And buy an insulated box as well.

What do you think? to ship or not to ship?
I figure if the fish stores can do it, so can I!

 

[BrianNY]

I agree, you can ship by that method. Starve your fish for a day or two before shipping. You don't want them producing waste and poisoning themselves being they are confined to a small space without filtration.
HTH

 

[TankGirl]

I know that many online fish dealers have a lengthy disclaimer when it comes to shipping fish in the deep winter months, as well as in the midsummer months, but like you say, the LFS receive new fish all the time, so it must be possible!

 

[Dino]

I ship year round.
What you have planned should work just fine.
Since, I work closely with The Fish Store, Tn, I have all the shipping boxes I need.
The very same boxes that shop gets it's fish in from the farms.
When shipping out, I place a heat pack taped to the lid and punch a hole thru the stryofoam using a pecil so that the pack continues to get fresh O2, so that it keeps heating. Inside the stryofoam box, I add enough newspaper so that there is newspaper betwwen the sides, top, and bottom, and the fish. This adds an extra layer of insulation.

Best,
dino

 

[scuba_steve]

imo i go next day myself be fair about it imo !! like you being in a box for 2 days ya know !! also look into going to a local welding or car shop they can blast pure o2 in the bags which will help imo !! and or ive got shipments with some macros which help water quality !!

 

[lyquidphyre]

the only reason i am doing two day as opposed to overnight/next day is well... 2 day costs $9, overnight costs oh say $27 =o)

I didn't like being cramed into a bus for 19 hours traveling to Colorado with obnoxious choir people- but I did it =o) hehe, im sure the fish consider it an adventure

 

[scuba_steve]

if it was spring or fall 2 day might be ok but for $27 to make sure it fast and painless i hope !!! why not !!! ohhh hehehe this is fresh isnt it !!! didnt even look !! hard to sell a $2 fish and ship for 27 gottcha hehehe