About Shipping

I know there has been a post recently about it (i bookmarked it, too lol) but I'm really nervous.

First off i just want to say im in the US and so i suppose any info about specifics of shipping in the US would be handy too =P

i plan on shipping my first fish out (a free one, just to someone i know, hopefully my sister in california or something to test out if this is gunna work) and I just want to make sure i have the basics. I probably wont be shipping soon due to temperature, but I'm awfully excited - i'd like to get this good and finally be able to ship elsewhere, instead of only locally.

Anyway... I have this:

I'd use a larger box, Insulated with sheets of styrafoam... heat packs (any recommendations on where to order those from or anything? or what watts? I've heard form a couple sources that 40 hour is good to use), I'd be double bagging them to protect against leaks, fasting them before bagging (how long would you recommend fasting them?) ... I think thats all.

Is there anything else I should know? I'm sure you can tell im really really nervous... But I definately cant work properly with only Rhode Island to sell to... It's just not worth it, yaknow? lol.


thanks for any info you can give me

I know many breeders say to use only 2 shot glasses full of water in each bag, tons of air, and pack them so that no matter what position they end up in they cannot get squished by the bag corners....

I think this would commonly be referred to as your "one-stop shop"

http/www.ibcbettas.org/ibc_sales.htm



Plastic Shipping Bags (4"x12")
100 count $ 4.25
1000 count $35.00



60 Hrs. Heat Packs
Single (1) $ 3.00
Pack of 10 $26.00



35 Hrs. Heat Packs
Single (1) $ 1.25
Pack of 10 $10.00



Yellow Shipping Labels Pack of 12 $ 3.00



Insulated Shipping Boxes (Sturdy cardboard w/foam inserts)

The shipping boxes are shipped knocked down flat direct from the manufacturer and fulfill postal requirements if a plastic bag is placed in the container before the fish. West Coast Shipping, $6.00 per bundle. Mountain or central Shipping $7.50 per bundle. East Coast Shipping $8.50 per bundle.

6x9x12 - 1/2" Foam, 8 Boxes $25.08
6x9x12 - 3/4" Foam, 5 Boxes $17.50
7x11x15 - 1/2" Foam, 5 boxes $19.80
7x11x15 - 3/4" Foam, 5 boxes $21.45
10x12x12 - 1/2" Foam, 15 Boxes $64.35
10x12x12 - 3/4" Foam, 8 Boxes $47.60

I fast them the day before.

I use the IBC shipping bags. Put in about 6 oz of water.. I don't even measure it anymore... just pour it in until it looks about right. Drop the fish in. Insert the air pump tubing and pump air into the bag until it's just below completely filled. You need to be able to push the bag in a bit with your fingers. I then twist the end of the bag and knot it. I pull the knot as tight as I can.. stop and then pull it tight again. At this point the bag should be 1/3 water and 2/3 air. I cut the end of the excess bag about 1 inch from the knot. I then invert the bag on clean paper towels and leave it for about 20 minutes to make sure it's not leaking. I then place that bag upside down in another bag and push it all the way to the bottom. I knot that bag.

Since I am shipping this Monday without a heat pack I will be taking each bag and wrapping it in newspaper to prevent too much heat loss. I then will be putting them in a styrofoam box inside of a plastic bag. The box will then be sealed and placed in another box.

I generally lay them flat as that way whichever way the box is tossed by the Post Office they will still have water which is away from any knots in the bags. It's only when the box is carried that the fish should come in contact with a knot. I also place the knotted end of the bag in one direction... towards the top of the box should you be reading the address label. Most people tend to carry a box so that they can read the label and hopefully the fish would be at the bottom of the bag rather than the top.

I can tell you now..shipping with no heat pack this time of year is not a good idea. Being outside, regardless of styrofoam, is going to be comparable to being in a refridgerator. And once they get cold the styrofoam will actually help keep them cold..as that's actually what styrofoam does best (retain cold)..not retain heat.

I would atleast go to walamart and buy some of those heat packs they have in teh hunting department...be better then nothing.

oh dont worry i definately plan on having a heat pack. I'm wayyy too emotional about losing fish, id take every precaution hehe.

Thanks a bunch for the info -bookmarks- thats everything i was looking for!