using oxogen for shipping

[mikedelgado]

I was wondering if anyone has any insight on this subject. I havent had any problems shipping coral in the past but I was thinking this might help ease some of the stress to the coral. Also I think it would make it easier to bag them up. the man at air gas told me that industrial oxogen comes from the same tank as medical grade and that I should not worry about using industrial o2.

[Jonthefishguy]

You dont need to oxygenate the bags for coral as you do with fish. You can if you want to, but it wont make a difference as they dont use oxygen as fish do.

[mikedelgado]

Thats good to know. Thanks

[SoLiD]

So, will any oxygen bottle will work or does it have to be something like a medical grade oxygen bottle? Just wondering...

[JimD]

You dont want to do that because of the effect the O2 has on the Ph in such a small ammount of water and can actualy be a source of stress.

[SoLiD]

Then how are fish and inverts shipped? There has to be something in there keeping them from dying. I am more interested in shipping small mysis shrimp more than anything. I remember the first time I received some fish from saltwaterfish.com. I was amazed how small the bags were.

[Jonthefishguy]

I practice the same shipping methods as many of the collectors and wholesalers do. In fact, while out in florida last month, I took a refresher course on the subject just to confirm I was doing it right.

When shipping fish and inverts, the bags are filled with water 1 inch of water above the top fin and the remaining space is just air, of that space,1/5 oxygen is added. Additive is also added to bag to help keep ammonia and stress levels low. Then the bags are stapled closed. Pure compressed oxygen contains five times the oxygen content as regular air does. Following this measure will help ensure that your fish/inverts will arrive to their destination alive. The pH will always be effected regardless whether you add oxygen or not. This is why drip acclimatiion is important as well. For those that work in a retail shop, testing the pH when a shipment arrives will confirm this. Some people get away with adding "fish buddies". I think thats the name. Regardless, it is a tablet that assists with the oxygen level.

[SoLiD]

Thanks. I was talking to a friend a couple of days ago who lives in La Porte, TX which was in Hurricane Ike's path. Well, after 2 weeks without power he lost almost everything. I plan on fragging everything I have and shipping it to him when he gets his tank up and running again. So many people in the Houston area have lost a ton of their livestock. I just figured I do my part and donate frags of all my corals to a friend who in turn will do the same when his corals double in polyps or size.

[Mr Cob]

I have successfully used "bag buddies" for shipping fish.

I have never shipped inverts but use to ship rare cichlids for several years to northern states and never had any DOA's.

[johnmaloney @ Reef Cleaners]

great thread, good info.