shipping sps colonies across country

[javisaman]

I read the shipping/packaging coral sticky but all of the pictures seem to be removed and most of the info seems somewhat outdated (or unverified).

I'm looking to ship SPS colonies from my tank in MD to my new tank in CA. Most of the colonies are in the ball park of 3" x 3" x 3", though some are bigger in some dimensions. What is the absolute safest way to ship them?

This is what I have planned (based on the info I've gathered from numerous threads):

1) Buy a bunch of tall tupperware containers.

2) cut colony from live rock, hopefully leaving a bit of the live rock where it encrusted.

3) place base of colony on styrofoam cut out (approximately the size of of the opening of the tupperware container).

4) fill tupperware with tank water enough to submerge colony

5) place colony upside down into tupperware container, hopefully leaving some air above the styrofoam.

6) cover all tupperware with plastic aquarium bags

7) place all tupperware containers into fitted styrofoam box

8) fill gaps with packaging peanuts

9) tape appropriate coldpack to lid

10) place in accompanying box and ship overnight via FedEx

 

Is it worth wrapping the colonies in paper towels? I've never had corals shipped that way. Though I will do anything to boost chances of surviving. Should I remove acro crabs and ship them separately?