Aquarium Plants - Shipping in Inclimate Weather

[Raithan Ellis]

Does anyone have any tips, suggestions on how to or reasons not to ship aquarium plants during the cold weather we are having up here in the North Eastern part of the US?

I'm trying to figure out how viable it is to ship ricca and java moss.

Thanks!

 

[Matak]

Wrap plant in damp (not soaked) paper towels or newspaper, then wrap in a plastic bag, preferably sealable. In a sturdy box, place plant bag and wrap in several layers of insulation. Bubble pak works good as an insulant and shock absorber. Ship express. Shipping in cold weather is not as good as in srping/fall, but better than the melting heat.

 

[beviking]

As long as the bag doesn't leak, crumpled newspaper works as a decent insulator also. I've been successful shipping via priority mail (just as Matak suggests) using heat packs. There is a risk but so far I've done well. Ship only on Monday or Tuesday helps. I won't ship anything from the 21st until into the new year. If you use heat packs, make sure there is paper and a few inches between it and your plants bag.
If you're really concerned, ask around (or go buy) for some styrofoam sheets and/or peanuts.
HTH

 

[Matak]

Most excellent, BK.

Where can we get these heatpacks? I guess they're not the ones you would use to warm your hands with.

I would go even farther and suggest that shipping be held off til the new year, JIC.

 

[beviking]

I ordered them from here....
http://www.superiorenterprise.com/
I found that link through applesnail.net and the poster said she used the 40hr packs with priority mail. Wanting to account for error, I ordered the 60hr packs. Orders over $50 get free shipping which is good since these things do have weight. I had used a couple 35+hr heatpacks and they were "a little warmer than room temperature" when the recipient received the package. I would go with at least the 40hr pack. The 60's are the same thing just more material which = more weight.