| Frag Trading 101 |
So we all know that the trading and private propagation of coral is
the key to saving the reefs as well as diversifying our collections.
With wild collection being more restricted by the day and specimen
selection at an all time low, it is time that we really took the task
seriously and found a better way. But how do you pack and ship a
coral so that it arrives safely, and just as importantly, how do you do it
in a cost effective manner?
With the help of td7gal I have been able to successfully ship a frag
of torch coral cross country. Using the lessons learned from this first
shipment, I have refined the method. I will share with you what I have
learned and how to replicate our success.
the key to saving the reefs as well as diversifying our collections.
With wild collection being more restricted by the day and specimen
selection at an all time low, it is time that we really took the task
seriously and found a better way. But how do you pack and ship a
coral so that it arrives safely, and just as importantly, how do you do it
in a cost effective manner?
With the help of td7gal I have been able to successfully ship a frag
of torch coral cross country. Using the lessons learned from this first
shipment, I have refined the method. I will share with you what I have
learned and how to replicate our success.
Step 1 - We need to start with a USPS
Flat Rate Box. This will allow us to
ship anywhere in the US for one flat
rate via Priority Mail which gives us
cross country service in 2-3 days.
There are to different sizes of Flat Rate
Box. I used the Small Box for this
project. Shipping cost for this size box
is currently $9.80.
Flat Rate Box. This will allow us to
ship anywhere in the US for one flat
rate via Priority Mail which gives us
cross country service in 2-3 days.
There are to different sizes of Flat Rate
Box. I used the Small Box for this
project. Shipping cost for this size box
is currently $9.80.
Step 2 - Cut a large piece of plastic
and cover the inside of the box with
it. Be sure to hug the sides of the
box tightly in preparation to fill it
with foam.
and cover the inside of the box with
it. Be sure to hug the sides of the
box tightly in preparation to fill it
with foam.
Step 3 - Select a nice thermos for
the project. I found this Thermos
brand thermos at Wal-mart for
about $15. It is one of the nicer
ones I found. Be sure to choose
one with a wide mouth for fitting
larger sized frags.
the project. I found this Thermos
brand thermos at Wal-mart for
about $15. It is one of the nicer
ones I found. Be sure to choose
one with a wide mouth for fitting
larger sized frags.
Step 4 - Get a few pair of rubber
gloves and use them to cover your
thermos to protect it from the foam
filling while making the mold.
gloves and use them to cover your
thermos to protect it from the foam
filling while making the mold.
Step 5 - This is the foam that I used
and recommend. I got it at Wal-mart
and it was about $3 per can. It took
2 cans to complete the job. I prefer
this to Great Stuff foam as it can be
used and reused without clogging
the straw. In the past I have used
Great Stuff for other projects and it
was pretty much a one use can even
if there was a bunch left.
and recommend. I got it at Wal-mart
and it was about $3 per can. It took
2 cans to complete the job. I prefer
this to Great Stuff foam as it can be
used and reused without clogging
the straw. In the past I have used
Great Stuff for other projects and it
was pretty much a one use can even
if there was a bunch left.
Step 6 - Begin to fill the box with
foam. This MUST be done in single
layers. Don't lay it on too thick or it
won't dry properly. Lay a single thin
layer and let it dry before adding
another. Once the bottom layer is
down, add the thermos and slowly
fill around it. This will take about 2-3
days to complete the first half of the
box.
foam. This MUST be done in single
layers. Don't lay it on too thick or it
won't dry properly. Lay a single thin
layer and let it dry before adding
another. Once the bottom layer is
down, add the thermos and slowly
fill around it. This will take about 2-3
days to complete the first half of the
box.
Step 7 - Once the first half of the box is filled and dry remove the entire thing
and take the plastic off. Put the foam back in the box and with the thermos in
place cover it with plastic again. This will give us a "clam shell" effect and keep
the top and bottom halves separate. After another few days this will be done.
Remember SINGLE layers! After everything is dry take the entire piece of foam
out of the box and look for air bubble holes. Go back and fill them individually.
Let it dry thoroughly. Don't worry about over filling the holes. When you are
done filling the holes the foam won't fit in the box. Take the whole thing
outside into the street and "sand" it back down to size. This takes a significant
amount of physical energy but it will give the foam a nice finished look and
make everything smooth. Don't get hit by a car during this step.
and take the plastic off. Put the foam back in the box and with the thermos in
place cover it with plastic again. This will give us a "clam shell" effect and keep
the top and bottom halves separate. After another few days this will be done.
Remember SINGLE layers! After everything is dry take the entire piece of foam
out of the box and look for air bubble holes. Go back and fill them individually.
Let it dry thoroughly. Don't worry about over filling the holes. When you are
done filling the holes the foam won't fit in the box. Take the whole thing
outside into the street and "sand" it back down to size. This takes a significant
amount of physical energy but it will give the foam a nice finished look and
make everything smooth. Don't get hit by a car during this step.
| The finished product. Pardon the crappy pics, I am not happy with the flash and not happy without it! |
Step 8 - Remember to cut some finger hold
holes so that when the foam is in the box you
can get it out! The hole thing is tight in the box
now and ready for use. I also cut a channel in
one side so that I can put small plastic pieces
to rattle. This masks the potential of the PO
Workers hearing water splashing. :-)
Remember to write "Rattle OK" on the outside
of the box. When they ask you if there is
anything "Hazardous, Perishable or Liquid" in
the box before shipping, just smile and tell
them no. It is a little white lie in the name of
saving the reefs!
holes so that when the foam is in the box you
can get it out! The hole thing is tight in the box
now and ready for use. I also cut a channel in
one side so that I can put small plastic pieces
to rattle. This masks the potential of the PO
Workers hearing water splashing. :-)
Remember to write "Rattle OK" on the outside
of the box. When they ask you if there is
anything "Hazardous, Perishable or Liquid" in
the box before shipping, just smile and tell
them no. It is a little white lie in the name of
saving the reefs!
| I hope you liked the Fragbox and find this useful for making your own. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me. Total cost for this project will be about $20. Frag trading will never be the same! |