Does anyone use the Phase 22 gel packs for shipping in the summer months?

S

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
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1,285
Location
Alabama
I have been doing some of my own testing with the Phase 22 gel packs, and so far very impressed. Shipping in the summer time can be so stressful, and can be lethal for the geckos. I live in Florida. I did the following test:
1:00 PM Temps on screen porch was 98 degrees. Placed refrigerated Phase 22 in standard SYR box with no holes with deli cup and temp monitor with memory.
Box was left overnight. Our temps drop to 74 degrees at night.
11:00 AM Temps on screen porch was 92 degrees. Removed the deli cup with Temp monitor with memory.
Results:
Low temp was 75.4
High temp was 82.3
So, with these readings...can Leopard Geckos actually be safely shipped in the hot summer months? I know a lot of breeders refuse to ship over 90 degrees.
 
Robyn@SYR

Robyn@SYR

New Member
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91
Location
Denver, CO
We have done these kinds of hot and cold tests as well, I think a well insulated box is the biggest key to success here.

What would be most helpful and interesting is to do this test as a comparison, where you have one box with your heat pack/cold pack/phase 22 pack (as appropriate) and one box without, test them under the same conditions, and compare results.

Your results here sound very positive, but what would the temps have been without a phase 22 pack? That is the result I would be interested in comparing.
 
S

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
Robyn@SYR said:
We have done these kinds of hot and cold tests as well, I think a well insulated box is the biggest key to success here.

What would be most helpful and interesting is to do this test as a comparison, where you have one box with your heat pack/cold pack/phase 22 pack (as appropriate) and one box without, test them under the same conditions, and compare results.

Your results here sound very positive, but what would the temps have been without a phase 22 pack? That is the result I would be interested in comparing.
Click to expand...

That makes sense....yes, I will set up a box with and without phase 22 with a temp monitor and post results. Thanks for the suggestion.:main_thumbsup: Robyn, SYR states holes in the box. I am getting mixed advice. A lot of people do not punch holes, and geckos are fine. Why holes? I would think that would defeat the whole purpose of a well insulated box.
 
Robyn@SYR

Robyn@SYR

New Member
Messages
91
Location
Denver, CO
The box is not air tight if you tape in a typical manner. But there isn't a lot of fresh air flow without the holes either.

Heat packs use oxygen for the heat generating process, it is important to have some fresh air "flow" to allow for that process to happen, otherwise the heat pack may stop working and not be effective over a 24+ hour period.

Small air holes do allow for a small air exchange, and it doesn't seem to affect the insulating value of the box that much. Using a heat pack under winter conditions, I would def recommend adding 2 holes on 2 sides of the box. We usually use a small phillips head screwdriver.

You could take your testing a step further and add a segment for boxes with holes and without as well.

A min/max thermometer is super helpful for these kinds of tests, so you can see both the high and low temp point reached during the test.
 
S

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
Robyn@SYR said:
The box is not air tight if you tape in a typical manner. But there isn't a lot of fresh air flow without the holes either.

Heat packs use oxygen for the heat generating process, it is important to have some fresh air "flow" to allow for that process to happen, otherwise the heat pack may stop working and not be effective over a 24+ hour period.

Small air holes do allow for a small air exchange, and it doesn't seem to affect the insulating value of the box that much. Using a heat pack under winter conditions, I would def recommend adding 2 holes on 2 sides of the box. We usually use a small phillips head screwdriver.

You could take your testing a step further and add a segment for boxes with holes and without as well.

A min/max thermometer is super helpful for these kinds of tests, so you can see both the high and low temp point reached during the test.
Click to expand...
Thanks for explaining the holes. I am conducting the test now with the min/max thermometer...will post results later. Also good point with box with holes and without...will have to test that out...Thanks!!
 
S

scm133

GULFCOASTGECKOS
Messages
1,285
Location
Alabama
First test was done without Phase 22; in same box( no holes in box); same outside temps. Minimum was 76.7 compared to 75.4(phase22); and maximum was 88.9 compared to 82.3(phase 22). Still not finished, yet...will post with precise out side temps , and with holes in box tests to compare.
 
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