Hi Liz

[famtsberg]

I'd like to ask a couple questions if you don't mind. I value your knowledge. Anyone is more than welcome to offer their input also however.

1) where is a good place to buy shipping boxes? Grainger?

2) I have about 1000 assassin snails. Not small ones either, beautiful giant ones. Id like to sell some, but I don't know how to ship them. How do you ship a snail?

3) I have albino bristlenose that are starting to get to selling size. Ma and Pa are hard at work making more too. Next couple weeks I'd like to sell some. How do you keep them from cooking in the box? Out a freezer pack that's just been in the fridge?

I don't want to ship anything to their doom. I love all my fish and even the silly snails. I want to make sure I do it right.

Thanks
Fritz

[Disgirl]

When Liz sees this post she will help you, she knows all about shipping fish and even snails!
Barb

[Iminit]

Have you asked your local pet store if they’d be interested in them. I tried sending trumpet snail from the island into the city with plants. The plants were fine but all the snails died. It took 2 days for them to get there. So I’m guessing you’d have to send overnight. So the shipping price will go up. Liz and Tom (coralbandit) will have much more info on this.

[LizStreithorst]

OK. I've finally gotten up the intestinal fortitude to respond. It's too much pressure on me when someone expects too much of me. I will start with the box and how to insulate it because that, I know.

I use USPS Priority boxes. You can pick them up at your local post office or order them through USPS.com. Either way, they're free. Then you have to cut sheet insulation to reinforce the the integrity of the box as well as obviously adding insulation against extreme heat or cold. The Dow 5/8" 4'X8' insulation is the best because it has a backing that prevents bits from crumbling so there is less mess. I get it at Lowes. It's a big blue sheet. Lately I've been using smaller sheets that don't have a backing because my car is tiny and I don't have to cut those big sheets into 2'X4' strips at Lowes where I buy them. Here are links to the kind I'm using now. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Perma-R-Products-Common-0-75-in-x-1-13-ft-x-4-ft-Actual-0-75-in-x-1-13-ft-x-4-ft-1-R-2-9-Unfaced-Polystyrene-Garage-Door-Foam-Board-Insulation/3014185 It's 5 sheets for the $10.

Next you need to get the right bags. 4" 2 mil bags are what I use for shipping my Rams. You can get them on AB. I double bag them and tie them with zip ties, cutting off the excess Rubber bands are what most folks use but it's too much twisting and turning for my arthritic hands. Some folks just tie the bags in a knot but that looks so amateurish to me. I get my zip ties for $1. for a big bunch at the Dollar Store. Caputre air in the bag before you zip tie them. There should be about 1/3rd water to 2/3rds air. The water is just to keep the fish wet. The air releases O2 into the water which the fish need to live.

I use cellulose insulation to fill any gaps in the box with the bags of fish. News paper works well for that but it doesn't absorb leaks in the bags like the cellulose insulation will. I have never has a leaking bag using the zip ties, though.

I have never shipped my Mystery Snails and I have had many deaths of the ones I have gotten in. My best results have been buying egg clutches and hatching them myself. There is someone I can ask who ships them. She's the one I got my clutches from. I'll ask her and see what she says.

I have never shipped a BN either but I'm going to have to start. I've gotten some long finned albinos in from Brian. They were valuable fish so he shipped USPS Express only. Most folks ship regular Priority which lately has become more reliable. But since there is no money back guarantee with Priority you have to be prepared to refund the buyer's money if the USPS looses the box and it travels the world before it gets to where it is supposed to go. Brian shipped just 1 fish per bag but if the fish is small, soft bodied, and unlikely to puncture a bag I think you could go with 2 fish per bag. I put 2 sub adult Rams together in a 4" bag and they do just fine.

I hope this is somewhat helpful. I'll be making up a box tomorrow and will take pics of the process. That should help you more.

[Willie]

I purchased mystery snails recently. The buyer used a USPS Priority Box. The snails were wrapped in wet paper towels and stuffed in a styrofoam cup. The cup was wrapped with some bubble wrap and everything worked out fine. In fact, I had three different color mystery snails wrapped separately and stuffed into one cup. It looks rickety, but every snail made it with no harm.

[LizStreithorst]

That sounds like an excellent way to ship them, Willie. The ones I've ordered were shipped several to a bag and they got banged around a lot.

[LizStreithorst]

First the making of the box. I used a large Priority box. The ID is 12X12X8. OD and ID are written on the bottom of the box. I can fit 8 young adult or sub adult Rams in this size box. First pic is of the tools I use. I forgot to add the sharpie in the pic. The cheap beer might not be necessary for everybody.

[LizStreithorst]

I tape the bottom of the box first. Then, for this size box I cut 2 12X12 pieces for the top and bottom, 2 6X12 pieces for two sides and 2 6X10 1/2" pieces for the other 2 sides. Then I add cellulose insulation to the bottom.

[LizStreithorst]

The rest

[seanyuki]

Love yr dog grooming room.


First the making of the box. I used a large Priority box. The ID is 12X12X8. OD and ID are written on the bottom of the box. I can fit 8 young adult or sub adult Rams in this size box. First pic is of the tools I use. I forgot to add the sharpie in the pic. The cheap beer might not be necessary for everybody.

[LizStreithorst]

Thank you much, Francis. It used to be a dining room before my back forced me to close my shop. I got all my top quality stuff to fit, though. Thank God I bought an electric table and all my other tools and equipment when I was making money. I love my stand dryer, too. It's close to 40 years old and still going strong. It pays in the long run to buy the best tools and equipment if you can.

[Disgirl]

Excellent tutorial Liz! You have helped many people with this, thanks for taking the time to do it, with pics too! When I visit you, can you arrange to groom a dog so I can see how you do it?
Barb

[LizStreithorst]

Sure thing, Barb.

[famtsberg]

Thank you so much Liz this is so informative. Your help is so appreciated. I'm sorry for the late response but I stay away from the internet on weekend. My wife and I spend much more time together with this policy in place. Now if I could get her to quit Candy Crush..... lol

[famtsberg]

I purchased mystery snails recently. The buyer used a USPS Priority Box. The snails were wrapped in wet paper towels and stuffed in a styrofoam cup. The cup was wrapped with some bubble wrap and everything worked out fine. In fact, I had three different color mystery snails wrapped separately and stuffed into one cup. It looks rickety, but every snail made it with no harm.
what a great idea Willie.

[famtsberg]

Have you asked your local pet store if they’d be interested in them. I tried sending trumpet snail from the island into the city with plants. The plants were fine but all the snails died. It took 2 days for them to get there. So I’m guessing you’d have to send overnight. So the shipping price will go up. Liz and Tom (coralbandit) will have much more info on this.

There are only a couple non Petco/Petzone etc fish stores around here. Pollys Pets buys shrimp, assassin snails, and I just sold them 4 abn. (I have longfin blue eye, regular, and super red female.) I have been selling them shrimp and assassin snails for about a year. I produce shrimp at a good clip and they buy all of them. I have cherry $1 each, yellow, and orange $2 each. They buy 20 to 40 at a time. Assassin snails they buy 40 at a time $1 each, but they sell much more slowly. I also am wanting to to switch over to Mystery snails now that my pond snail infestation is ending.

[famtsberg]

Excellent tutorial Liz! You have helped many people with this, thanks for taking the time to do it, with pics too!
Barb

Amen sister. I feel like I can send some. :)

[LizStreithorst]

I need to take pics of the cool little tool I made to help you double your little 4" bags with ease. It will help you a lot. I'll do it tomorrow.

I'll be wanting to buy some of your Assassin snails when your ready to ship. Please send me a PM when you're ready to go. I have those horrid little flat snails as well as some MTS and pond snails in all my shrimp tanks. I'll just need to move my Mystery snails to tanks that aren't infested with pest snails before I get the Assassins.

[famtsberg]

I need to take pics of the cool little tool I made to help you double your little 4" bags with ease. It will help you a lot. I'll do it tomorrow.

I'll be wanting to buy some of your Assassin snails when your ready to ship. Please send me a PM when you're ready to go. I have those horrid little flat snails as well as some MTS and pond snails in all my shrimp tanks. I'll just need to move my Mystery snails to tanks that aren't infested with pest snails before I get the Assassins.

Yes maam I sure will. And thanks again.

[LizStreithorst]

Please don't call me ma'am. I know that I'm old but I'm still fond of "hey girl" when I'm being addressed.

[seanyuki]

We should start
referring to "Age" as "Levels",
because "I'm at level 64"
sounds more badass than just
being an old person.



Please don't call me ma'am. I know that I'm old but I'm still fond of "hey girl" when I'm being addressed.

[famtsberg]

Please don't call me ma'am. I know that I'm old but I'm still fond of "hey girl" when I'm being addressed.

sorry my mom is a southern girl. got my *** beat when I didnt say maam. Plus I live in Texas, and my mom lives with me. hahahaha

[LizStreithorst]

I totally understand. I've lived in Mississippi for most of my life. I can't seem to get over the fact that people I like call me that just because I have reached level of 70 while they're at a much lower level. ;)

[famtsberg]

I totally understand. I've lived in Mississippi for most of my life. I can't seem to get over the fact that people I like call me that just because I have reached level of 70 while they're at a much lower level. ;)

Im level 58, :) hehe

[famtsberg]

Hello Liz,
I just wanted to say that I shipped fish using your packaging method and a heat pack and all went great. Now for another question please. Who do you overnight ship with and how do you get the best price? Is there a method to the madness? I lost money, my fault and paying for an education makes you learn faster but jeez. Post office sucks, no 2nd day option. Anybody that can provide input it is appreciated.

[LizStreithorst]

Express has always been either overnight or 2. Buyer pays shipping. Some people add a few bucks for shipping supplies but I don't.

[famtsberg]

thanks. :)

[LizStreithorst]

What fish are you shipping Fritz? BN?

[famtsberg]

What fish are you shipping Fritz? BN?

yes, about 2 inches now. Sent 4 to New Jersey. Repeat snail customer ask what else I have.

[LizStreithorst]

Excellent. BN are pretty darned tough fish. 3 days is transit is fine, as long as the box doesn't get lost and the heat pack run out...