An ice pack is a gel cooling pack included in your shipment box to buffer against heat during transit. Ice packs are rated for 48 hours and rated for 48 hours and most effective for overnight and 2-day shipping. Beyond two days in transit the pack will be fully thawed and no longer providing meaningful cooling, so for 3-day or standard ground shipments in hot weather we recommend selecting a faster shipping option rather than relying on an ice pack alone. Shrimp, snails, and aquatic plants are sensitive to temperature spikes during shipping, and warm-season deliveries travelling through hot distribution centres and delivery vehicles can expose packages to temperatures well above what live animals can safely tolerate. Adding an ice pack to an overnight or 2-day order provides a thermal buffer that helps keep the interior of the box within a safer temperature range from the time the package leaves our facility to the time it reaches your door.
When to Add One
Do You Need an Ice Pack?
Add an ice pack if daytime highs along your delivery route are expected to exceed 80°F. This includes the temperatures at your destination and along the route, not just at your door. Packages travel through sorting facilities and delivery vehicles that are not climate controlled and can reach significantly higher temperatures than outdoor air. A package sitting in a hot delivery vehicle or on a sunny doorstep for even a short period can spike internal box temperatures to lethal levels for shrimp and snails without a cooling buffer.
Check the forecast for your delivery window, not just today's weather. If your order ships Monday for Wednesday delivery, check Wednesday's high at your location. A cool day at time of order does not guarantee cool conditions at time of delivery, particularly during late spring, summer, and early fall.
Caridina shrimp are more temperature-sensitive than Neocaridina. If your order contains Crystal Red, Crystal Black, or other Caridina species, err on the side of adding an ice pack at lower temperature thresholds. Caridina tolerate a narrower temperature range and recover less reliably from heat stress than Neocaridina.
An ice pack does not eliminate heat risk entirely. It reduces it. For extreme heat conditions (sustained highs above 95°F), consider whether to delay your order until temperatures drop or to select expedited shipping to minimise time in transit. We will always pack your order with the best available materials, but the ice pack is a tool, not a guarantee.
How It Works
What to Expect
The gel pack is rated for 48 hours, making it most effective for overnight and 2-day shipments. It is included inside the insulated box alongside your livestock. It will arrive partially or fully thawed depending on transit time and ambient conditions. A thawed pack that kept the interior of the box cool throughout transit has done its job correctly. For shipments beyond two days in transit the pack will be fully thawed well before delivery and will not provide meaningful cooling for the final leg of the journey. It will arrive partially or fully thawed depending on transit time and ambient conditions. A thawed pack that kept the interior of the box cool throughout transit has done its job correctly. For shipments beyond two days in transit the pack will be fully thawed well before delivery and will not provide meaningful cooling for the final leg of the journey.
One ice pack is appropriate for most standard orders. Very large orders or orders travelling to particularly hot destinations may benefit from two packs. If you have concerns about your specific order or location, include a note at checkout and we will advise.
Shipping TipSchedule your delivery for a day when someone will be home to receive the package promptly, or request a delivery hold at your local facility for pickup. A package left on a doorstep in direct sun for several hours after arrival can still experience significant heat exposure even with an ice pack inside. The faster the box gets into a cool environment after delivery, the better the outcome for your animals regardless of season.
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Review our shipping practicesLearn how we pack live orders, our DOA policy, and what to do when your shipment arrives. Read our Shipping Info page.
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