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Re: NFC: shipping fishes

Those are good points and the article is in need of some updating...will
add em..


On Tue, 07 Nov 2000 09:02:16 -0800 Wright Huntley <huntley1 at home_com>
writes:
> Great article, Robert.
> 
> I would add a couple of things that I have found to be vital for 
> success
> (having not done them right, in the past).
> 
> Starve the fish for at least 24 hours before bagging, so they can 
> eliminate
> most of the ammonia they produce, and not contaminate that small dab 
> of
> water. Empty gut = cleaner water.
> 
> Use a triple-strength dose of "Amquel" in *fresh* shipping water, to 
> absorb
> any remaining ammonia. ("Prime," "Ammo-lock 2," etc. will work, 
> too.)
> [Never, ever use tank water for shipping, BTW. It is almost certain 
> disaster
> for higher metabolism rate fish]
> 
> These first two suggestions are the vital ones. I consider them a 
> "must do"
> for repeated success. Other things I find helpful are as follows.
> 
> I always double-bag in 1.5mil fish bags. They actually breathe a 
> bit, and
> freezer bags are specifically designed *not* to breathe (that's how 
> they
> prevent freezer burn). If not available locally, my local packaging 
> supplier
> can provide 4X18" and 6X18" long bags in 1.5 mil poly. 
> [1-800-750-PACK] Two
> 4s fit perfectly in one 6, for shipping pairs or using only three 
> bags to
> double-bag any 2 fish.
> 
> The Packaging Store also has medical shippers (fitted styros in 
> cardboard
> boxes in various sizes, wine shippers, and lots of other neat 
> stuff). The
> name is unfortunate as they are *not* a "Packaging Store," the chain 
> of
> local UPS shippers that will wrap your package for you.
> 
> Using long skinny bags lets you tie a knot in the end, rather than 
> risk
> breaking rubber bands. Way safer, IMHO. If you *must* use rubber 
> bands, at
> least double them by putting a second right on top of the first. 
> Lowered air
> pressure, aloft, seems to pop them long before it will burst a good 
> fish
> bag.
> 
> Extra insurance: I always line the styro box with a thin kitchen 
> garbage
> bag, and put any fillers like popcorn, newspaper, etc. *outside* 
> that liner
> bag. If a fish bag leaks, it will keep some water if laying in a 
> puddle. If
> there's a wick to draw water away, it will empty, for sure.
> 
> Never ship plants in the same bag with fish. In the dark, plants 
> switch to
> respiration rather than photosynthesis, and eat oxygen fast while 
> emitting
> CO2.
> 
> I realize you were trying to use the KISS principle in your note, 
> but
> suggest adding at least the first two of my suggestions to it in 
> some
> fashion. Ammonia kills more fish in transit than either cold or 
> heat, IME.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Wright
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679  huntleyone at home 
> dot com
> 
>          "Ignorance creates a fertile climate for demagogues;
>          maybe that's why politicians give so much support to
>                 the public education establishment."
>                                               Walter Williams
>                 *** http://www.libertarian.org/ ***
> 


Robert Rice
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http://www.nativefish.org
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