| POLY BAGS Bags are bags, right? Not really. We have found that poly bags
normally used are not designed for the fish or pet industry but the use of them is an
afterthought and it works. Folks may sell a bag as one specifically designed for tropical fish, but in reality it's just a bag with a dimension that
works for an application...there are many bags which fit many applications. Of course
there are bag liners and some industry specific bags, but generally speaking the bags
which are used in the hobby end of the trade are made for some other use.
polyethylene: polymerized ethylene resin
Bag manufacturers really don't sell bags by "the
each," but rather sell them by weight. They have pretty sophisticated equipment that
can weigh a number of bags pretty effectively, but they don't count them per se. The cost
of the material in making bags is relatively inexpensive. Even during periods of high oil
prices, the prices of individual bags is more-or-less insignificant. The manufacturing
process is highly mechanized so labor is not a real daunting issue either. The shipping of
the bags is the most gloomy issue for bags and the issue that drives the prices of the
bags in the hobby.
We look for bags that are well sealed at the bottom
of the bag. We have run into some bags that were seamed along the sides also, but the
side-seams did not seem to be all that stable. They popped in shipping...not a good thing.
We have found that bags sealed across the bottom are the better choice.
The thickness of a bag has a lot to do with it's
suitability. We have used a variety of bags to give
us flexibility to deal with the range of fish we have worked with. Thin bags allow some
transfer of gases, giving some fish a healthier ride. Thin bags also can make for a better
"balloon" when double bagged. However,
a bag that is too thin (less than 1.5 mil in thickness) can create some rather interesting
problems...they can easily "ooze" water...something like a leak. Bags that are
thin are more easily punctured by the critter inside also. With some critters, thicker is
better for the puncture issue alone (Corydoras and Angelfish for example). But be careful
in evaluating bags...it's foolish to equate thickness with quality. A poorly made thick
bag could leak more frequently than a well made thin bag.
The size of a
bag can make a huge difference in the results of the shipping process. An undersized
bag is a very bad thing and an oversized bag has some definite challenges to consider.
There a some specific species related issues that
should be considered when choosing a bag. Shipping fish,
plants and "moist" critters all have
their separate issues to deal with.
Lots of folks recycle bags that they receive fish in.
Not a bad re-use of the product...please do if you can (we do). There are a couple of
issues you will want to think about with a recycled bag. Diseases transfer could occur
with a freshly recycle bag. Dry bags between usage and you should have no problems. Be
prepared for leaks. We have SuzieQ, The Hatchery Cat, to thank for unexpected punctures as
she plays with bags of fish (it's better the bags than the fish without the bags).
Also...and we know it sounds a little trite...we like to use new bags for sales, either
through the mail or through local club auctions. Fresh bags seem to make a better
presentation than some of the recycled bags. But please recycle when you can. |