Too cold to ship?

[Callatya]

Is it warm enough to ship (fastway) without heatpacks yet? I'm in A/C and it is hard to judge. Where is the easiest place to purchase heatpacks? EDIT: i was thinking of buying the smaller heatpack things from camping stores etc, would these work? too hot? too short of a lifespan?

[Chuckie]

I got mine from Jodi-Lea. Don't know anything about the other types, sorry! I personally would still ship with a heatpack ATM.

[najrick]

I'd also still use a heat pack especially south of QLD. It's getting warmer up here but the nights are still coolish and the last thing you need is a cold snap which could still happen. We get ours from someone too and they last 40 hours which is plenty even for Fastways. The camping store heat packs usually don't go for more than 24 hours so a two day trip is out of the question. Pat.

[Callatya]

Have you tried the camping store ones? I'm thinking it might be ok for posting to Sydney (blue sticker parcels or next day post) but i don't want to end up sending boiled fish.

[Bettabegood]

I'd also recommend using heatpacks at this time of year, because of the cooler night time temperatures. Heat packs are an easy, cost effective way to reduce stress during transport by ensuring the fish remain at a suitable temperature. someone sends me all my fish with a heatpack, and trust me, one heatpack will NOT produce enough heat to boil a fish! Sue

[najrick]

Have you tried the camping store ones?

I am unfamiliar with the camping store ones. Though the ones we get from someone also say they can be used for camping so maybe they are the same thing

Najina

[edie]

I've got my heatpacks from J too, so I never tried the camping ones (hey...gotta check that out later) Most heatpacks, as far as I know, works by burning the oxygen in the box. So, if you have lots of oxygen there, then the heatpack probably will last for the max lifespan stated and will not get too hot (cause otherwise it will burn the skin), but if you don't have air there then it won't do any good at all LMAO. I still remembered when I experiemented with it and put no air in the box, open the box in the morning and found that the water is just as cold as outside temp.

[Fishchick]

On small boxes I punch a hole through the top of the box, and then tape the heat pack over it. The air coming in from outside keeps the heat pack running, but doesn't allow for much heat to escape. Cheers, J

[Chuckie]

what a fantastic idea!

[Najoha]

How do they work? Like do you heat them in a microwave to get them started? Can u reuse them ? How much are they? Thanks

[Fishchick]

the heat packs start working once they are exposed to the air. they contain iron which reacts with oxygen to produce an exothermic reaction - that is, one that releases heat. So to start just tear open the packet and shake. I have the 40 hour packs available at the moment for $5each. Am waiting for a new shipment that hopefully will be a bit cheaper, but depends on customs, taxes, exchange rates etc Cheers, J

[Najoha]

Thanks may have to get some to have on hand. And not reuseable I gather.

[Chuckie]

sadly, no ;)

[Callatya]

Well, i found 6hr ones today, and I have found some 20 hr ones online.

I'll put in an order for 40's next time we get a shipment down, but maybe the 20's will be good for blue-tagged Fastway things.

Now, i read you can kill off a heatpack and reactivate it if you do it before the 40 hrs are up. I think you just remove the oxygen, but not sure. Does anyone know?

20hr pack

Reusable Heat Pack (unsure how long it lasts)

[Robbies Betta]

how bout freezing it? :lol:

[splendidbetta]

but if they work by reacting with oxygen, the heat pack woiuld be working overtime in the freezer. unless it was wrapped up in a plastic bag........

[Fishchick]

have been told that if you seal them in an airtight container you can get a second use out of them (if it was only a 24hr journey and you were using a 40hr heat pack) Cheers, J