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ThomasCarpenter · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 10:20 am Post subject: Bait tank Cooler conversions

So we have a mens weekend down on PINS nxt month. Shrimp I can keep for 3-4 days with current aerator, Frozen water bottle rotation, and clean water rotation of about 3-5 gal a day.

With out buying one of the Expensive as hell O2 keep alive bait well combo systems. Is there any thing one the market such as additives, that will help keep Croaker alive? I was going to get one of the flow aeration systems that float. Keep the motor out of the water for heat reasons. Any suggestions?

This may a futile request but I wanted to see if you all have had any luck with anything in the past. I realize Volume of water to bait mass is very important. Was thinking of 4-6 dozen.
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nacskins · Horse Mullet Joined: 14 Aug 2015 Posts: 100

I have also wondered the best option for this myself. I made a DIY bait "jug" out of a left over cooler. I believe (and very possibly could be wrong) that the main reasons why bait fish / shrimp die is due to ammonia that builds up naturally in the container. Thats the main reason to do a water change is to flush out at least part of the ammonia. The second reason is heat which is easier to address IMO (frozen water bottle / Ice). I am considering trying a product i use in my home aquarium that is according to my research the best on the market. Seachem Prime is touted to work wonders for detoxifying ammonia along with other harmful chemicals. I would like to get others opinions on this also. A few drops per gallon should last several days.

http://www.seachem.com/prime.php

grasscutter · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 11:08 am Post subject:

I had a friend whose dad shrimped and sold bait. He said bait container sides should be round. I couldn't comment on how true it is or if it helps. Just that that's what he said.

nacskins · Horse Mullet Joined: 14 Aug 2015 Posts: 100

shallowsport · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 11:16 am Post subject:

Have also hear that a round container is better for keeping shrimp alive. Another tip that I have heard about is hanging some old netting along the sides for the shrimp to hang onto. This way they do not all settle to the bottom of the live well.
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ThomasCarpenter · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 12:02 pm Post subject:

Just the conversation I wanted to generate!!! Yes, I have heard the round tank for schooling fish which is also easier to generate a mild circular current for them to swim against is preferred.

I have heard croaker will "Corner Up" like cattle in a feed lot. Something about this ultimately kills them. So My idea is to split an 8" (for my application and cooler size) into 4 pcs and silicone them into the corner of the cooler creating rounded edges. Fixes the square corner problem. With a little shaping from a grinder with a 40-60 grit wheel. You can make the fit pretty tight.

Water flow/Aeration. The floating units with motor out of water will work. Im sure O2 addition helps leaps and bounds above this. Lets remember were broke working men who can afford a 600.00 live well kit and O2 system. Add a nice aerator with a good ceramic stone. Maybe that would be enough.

Shoot me your thoughts!!! Good Thread right here
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nacskins · Horse Mullet Joined: 14 Aug 2015 Posts: 100

Its my understanding that gasses are dissolved in the water column thru surface agitation. Enough surface agitation created by current and a no other additions (less mechanical failure) may be needed. That being said its also my understanding more gas can be dissolved in cold water than hot and the more o2 in the water the better.

Rebecca of Sunnybrookfarm · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 3974

you can get a kiddie pool and put it under your vehicle (shade and protection) and do water over-fills that way....or get a bait cage and stake it off in the surf....
becky
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rodandroll · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 12:45 pm Post subject:

I suggest you try the keep alive system. It works about as well as oxygen systems and really aerates the water. It has an air hose that pulls outside air into the pump for aeration. It works great in 5 gallon buckets. All you have additionally do is change out the water occasionally and keep it as cool as you can. Watch the video - massive aeration!

http://www.keepalive.net/
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ThomasCarpenter · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 12:47 pm Post subject:

"you can get a kiddie pool and put it under your vehicle (shade and protection) and do water over-fills that way"

It makes perfect sense. I just do not know if I could get me man card back being seen with a kiddie pool strapped to my camping trailer and no kids to be seen.

Bait cage!! Very good idea. lets talk dimensions and shapes? What would you use to hold it? Pc of Rebar and how long? What type of mesh?
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nacskins · Horse Mullet Joined: 14 Aug 2015 Posts: 100

"It makes perfect sense. I just do not know if I could get me man card back being seen with a kiddie pool strapped to my camping trailer and no kids to be seen."

LOL, you could earn it back with big fish!

Bait cage!! Very good idea. lets talk dimensions and shapes? What would you use to hold it? Pc of Rebar and how long? What type of mesh?[/quote]

Also think this is a great idea. What about the Kiddie pool with rebar to stake it down, maybe rebar all around it with a seine net around that to keep in?

ThomasCarpenter · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 1:02 pm Post subject:

R&R. I have seen these and I would be on board if I had the cash to blow on something that I get to use more than twice a year. I just cant part with the cash VS rate of use.
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BayFly · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 1:08 pm Post subject:

Although I have never done it, I have thought for some time the use of an orange igloo 10 gallon water jug would make a great bait tank. It's a little taller than wide, so one might need to secure it on one side to keep it from falling over in a boat.

ThomasCarpenter · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 1:19 pm Post subject:

R & R I see another issue with this system. If the exterior air is hot and it will be. This will bring up temp. The motor running submerged will also be another source for heat within the tank. I have coolers out the back door. I just do not know if I could haul enough frozen water bottles to last 4 days on the beach in July.

If I had a way to circulate the water with fresh water. I think that I could swing this. That means the tank would need to be mobile ( $$$ for a beach dolly that I don't have (but want) ). Or just toting fresh 5 gal 2-3 times a day. Depending of bait mass that I have in the tank.
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nacskins · Horse Mullet Joined: 14 Aug 2015 Posts: 100