All About Heat Packs

As temperatures drop and winter sets in, many of us look forward to cozying up with a blanket and a hot drink. But did you know your aquatic livestock might also need a little extra warmth when traveling? 🐟❄️

If you’ve recently received a package with live aquatic animals and found a heat pack tucked inside, you might have been left scratching your head. "What’s this thing? Is this for me or for my fish?" Well, don’t worry—we’re here to explain why those little warm packets are so important, and how they help keep your live aquatic products happy and healthy on their journey to you.

Why Do We Use Heat Packs?

When shipping live aquatic organisms like copepods, invertebrates, and phytoplankton, temperature control is an important factor in ensuring their health. These critters, while tough in their own right, are sensitive to drastic temperature changes. Just like setting your thermostat in your home, your aquatic friends need the right temperature to stay comfortable and healthy during shipping.

That’s where the heat pack comes in.

How Do Heat Packs Work?

Heat packs are activated when you break or shake them, causing a chemical reaction that generates heat for several hours (usually between 24-36 hours depending on the size). These heat packs help to keep your livestock warm during their journey, ensuring they don’t get too chilly as they travel through the cold winter weather.

Now, these heat packs aren’t meant to turn your shipping box into a sauna—just a cozy, stable temperature for your critters to stay comfy while en route. That's why a certain size heat pack is chosen depending on the size of the order and the ambient temperatures.

When Are Heat Packs Used

Heat packs are not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Their use depends on temperature conditions at both the shipping facility and the destination of the shipment. If it’s cold outside or the journey will take longer than expected, a heat pack can help ensure your livestock doesn’t get too chilly during transit. For example, if it’s below freezing where you are or along the route and or the package will be on the road for more than a day, heat packs make sure your critters aren’t shivering inside the box.

How to Handle the Heat Pack When You Receive Your Order

If you get a package with a heat pack inside, don’t be alarmed-it’s totally normal for this time of year and part of the shipping process. Here’s what you should know:

1. Don’t panic! Heat packs are perfectly safe and won’t cause harm to your livestock. They’re designed to warm the box without overheating.

2. Check the temperature. If the heat pack still feels warm, it’s doing its job! Even if the pack has cooled down by the time it reaches you, your critters are likely still just fine. The heat pack does its job by keeping the temperature steady, but it's possible for it to lose warmth by the time it reaches you.

3. Dispose of the heat pack properly. Once the heat pack is no longer warm, simply toss in the trash. These are generally not reusable, but they’re safe and eco-friendly.

Why Are Heat Packs So Important?

Heat packs aren’t just a “nice touch” to keep your shipment warm—they’re essential to preserving the health of your livestock. Aquatic organisms are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and shipping them without proper temperature control could result in stress, injury, or even death. The heat pack helps provide a consistent environment, reducing the risk of any temperature shock during transit.

This simple step is one of the many ways that companies ensure the health and safety of their products, especially during the colder months when temperature swings can be extreme.

In Conclusion

So, the next time you open a box with a heat pack inside, you’ll know exactly what it is and why it’s there. It’s not some weird mystery gift, it’s a tool designed to keep your aquatic life safe, happy, and healthy while it’s en route to you.

And remember: when you’re expecting a shipment of aquatic life this winter, that little heat pack inside the box is there to give your livestock the best possible start on their journey to you. Stay warm and happy reefing! 🐠❄️