Inside the Box: Everything You need to Know About Heat Packs 🔥
As
temperatures drop and winter settles in, many of us look forward to cozying up
indoors. But while we’re bundling up, your aquatic livestock might also need a
little extra warmth when traveling. If you’ve ever received a package with live
aquatic animals and found a heat pack tucked inside, you may have wondered what
it’s for. Is it meant for you or for your fish? The answer is simple: it’s
there to protect your aquatic critters during their journey.
When
shipping live organisms like copepods, invertebrates, and phytoplankton,
temperature control is a key factor in maintaining their health. These animals
may be resilient, but they’re still sensitive to sudden temperature changes.
Just like you adjust the thermostat at home to stay comfortable, your aquatic
friends need stable conditions to arrive safely.
Heat
packs are the solution. They’re activated by shaking or breaking, which
triggers a chemical reaction that produces warmth for several hours, typically
between 24 to 36 hours depending on the size. These packs help maintain a
stable temperature inside the box, preventing your livestock from getting too
cold during transit. They’re not designed to turn the box into a sauna, but
rather to create a cozy environment that keeps your shipment safe.
Not
every shipment requires a heat pack. Their use depends on the weather at both
the shipping facility and the destination. If it’s cold outside or the package
will be in transit for more than a day, a heat pack can make all the
difference. For example, if temperatures are below freezing along the route,
the pack helps ensure your aquatic animals aren’t exposed to harmful cold.
When
you receive a package with a heat pack, there’s no need to worry. It’s a normal
part of the shipping process during colder months. If the pack still feels
warm, it’s doing its job. Even if it has cooled down by the time it arrives,
your livestock likely benefited from its warmth earlier in the journey. Once
the pack is no longer warm, you can simply dispose of it in the trash. These
packs aren’t reusable, but they’re safe and environmentally friendly.
Heat
packs aren’t just a thoughtful addition, they’re essential for protecting
aquatic life during shipping. Without proper temperature control, these
organisms can experience stress, injury, or worse. By helping maintain a
consistent environment, heat packs reduce the risk of temperature shock and support
the health of your shipment.
So,
the next time you open a box and find a heat pack inside, you’ll know exactly
why it’s there. It’s not a mystery item or an extra perk, it’s a vital tool
that helps ensure your aquatic life arrives safe, healthy, and ready to thrive.
When you’re expecting a shipment this winter, that little heat pack is working
behind the scenes to give your livestock the best possible start.
Related Articles
Inside the Box: Everything You Need to Know About Heat Packs
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 ...Summer Shipping in the Aquarium Hobby
Summer’s scorching heat isn’t just tough on people, it can make shipping livestock like corals, fish, and other aquatic essentials a real challenge. When temperatures soar, ensuring the safety and health of delicate aquarium inhabitants during ...Summer Heat & Reef Tanks: How to Keep Cool When Temperatures Rise
As temperatures climb outside, reef tanks can start to feel the heat too—and not in a good way. Unlike the open ocean, aquariums are closed ecosystems that depend on stable conditions. Even a few degrees of fluctuation during summer months can create ...Water Parameters 101: Everything You Need to Know for Your Saltwater Aquarium
Water Parameters 101: Everything You Need to Know for Your Saltwater Aquarium When it comes to saltwater aquariums, maintaining the right water parameters is crucial to the health and well-being of the tank's inhabitants. Water parameters include ...Top 10 Aquarium Myths Debunked
Top 10 Aquarium Myths Debunked There’s a lot of misinformation floating around when it comes to reef keeping. Whether passed down through word-of-mouth or outdated advice, some myths have been widely accepted as fact, leading many aquarists down ...