Transporting Coral

[Reef Mongoose]

I am going to be in Miami for vacation over the next week, while I am down there I am going to be purchasing a coral from another reefer. How do I go about bringing it home with me. I called Jetblue (the airline I am using obviously) and was told that I could box it up and check it as an animal (like you would a dog). I want opinions on whether I should check it or if I should just overnight ship it the day I leave so it is there the next morning or if I should do something else entirely. I have never transported coral this far so I have no idea how I should do this, help would be appreciated. thanks

 

[Reef Mongoose]

come on, a little help here guys

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

check it as animals will receive better care such as the box will not be tossed around. Just that picking it up from another terminal is a hassle.

 

[Sean]

What kind of coral?
Do you have a styro box and heat packs?
How large is the coral?
how many pieces?

 

[Reef Mongoose]

well the guy might have sold this from under me, which would really suck, but it is a branching hammer with about 40 heads, around 9" in diameter. I do not have a styrofoam box or heat packs right now but I will just buy them in miami if I do get the coral. I figure CVS or something like that would have that stuff.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

Why would taking this box as a carry-on be a problem? Because of that oh so dangerous liquid (aka saltwater)?

 

[Sean]

You'd need
a styro box
extra styro so you can float the hammer upside down.
extra bags as filler to cushion the hammer so it doesn't get thrown around in the box.
a couple of heat packs 2 or 3 depending on size of box.
tape
and I would check it as a live animal.

keep in mind that it may break into a couple of pieces by the time you get home.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

heat packs in miami may be a little harder to find than you think. Not exactly a big seller. I would overnight it to yourself. Whoever you spoke to may not realize what was going on and with a volume of water required for the coral you might run into problems as far as it getting on board. Safest way I would say is to overnight and avoid any potential problems ahead of time.

 

[Reef Mongoose]

ok i understood everything except the floating it upside down, how does that work/help? and any suggestions on where to get everything?

 

[Sean]

found an article for you
It loks like it covers floating coral
I haven't read it but here you go

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/short.htm

 

[lfsmarineguy]

pieces of styro rubber banded to it's base. Only problem is that at that size and weight it's probably going to need a very large bag and a crap load of styro to keep it afloat.

 

[Reef Mongoose]

what is the benefit of floating it rather than just sitting it on the bottom?

 

[rookie07]

when it floats...it doesnt rattle around the bottom of the bag...b/c of styro it will be suppended in "mid water"...kinda protecting it from damage(in theory only)...


Is that right sean?
great article by the way....

 

[Reef Mongoose]

gotcha, thanks

 

[Sean]

I'm impressed Rookie. You're going to have to change your name soon.

Reading is fundamental:knockedou