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Here are some pics of a bait tank I am building. My local marina closed for the season. So now I have to drive around 55 miles to get minnows. I had a different design in mind but couldn't get it to work right. So here's what I ended up with. Still not finished. But here's a few pics.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps1bade3b4.jpg
Here is another one.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps56670be9.jpg
Here is a pic of it running. The right side will have my filter material.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4e989959.jpg
Here is a pic of the pump. Not originally not what I designed. But I think it will work. The only think that might be a pain is getting the minnows out from between the pipe. I bought the pump from Grayline.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc958da22.jpg
Here is a better pic of the filter.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3dab35d1.jpg
Does anybody know how many minnows you can keep in around 20 gallons of water? Thanks
Brian, with that filter and these cool temps I would say 8-10 dz should be no problem. Especially if your not keeping them for a long period of time. If your going to keep more than that get you some finner shiner or bait saver to add to the water. If you can't find that at least get some aquarium salt from wallyworld and add some it by directions.
Prolly keep more than that Cray, I still got a pound or so in my cooler from this weekend. Picked em up last Wednesday and had 3 pounds in there then, pushing 50 dozen no bigger than they were and it has about 10 gallons in it. Think we have thrown out 1 due to demise. Good looking tank and bet it will hold 5 pounds easy, if the filter wont keep up you will have to change the water more often tho.
Here is a few more pics. I didn't paint the top yet. Couldn't find the right kind of paint.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8a2549c4.jpg
I still have to install the drain valve on the bottoms change out the water.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps901948f1.jpg
Here it is on a test run with about 15 doz of minnows. I also added a 5in air stone with a 110v bubbler to it.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8777c732.jpg
I talked the the guy who supplies minnows to the area and he said the same thing you said. He said that I should be able to keep 5lbs of minnows with no problem as long as I changed the water at least once a week.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rees Guide
Get a bag of the lump charcoal, bust some of it up into small pieces like pea gravel, rinse the dust out of it, lay it on your filter mat, better than store bought aquarium charcoal. Charcoal briquets have a glue in them that might not be good for the minners, it might no be good for us.
Hose bibb for a drain, I use a 3/4" male thread one. Get a plastic one, they are hard to find. 2 home improvement centers and 3 hardware stores, only 1 has plastic ones near me. I used a 7/8" wood paddle bit to drill the hole. A 3/4" steel nipple to thread the hole. Silicone for aquariums to seal the threads. Same as I do with my rain barrels.
My barrel is on my back deck about 3 foot off of the ground. I connect a hose to the bibb and water container plants with it. Collect the extra water in buckets and water other plants in the flowerbeds.
I found this one online. I ordered it a few days ago.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps6285713c.jpg
i also get lump charcoal straight for where they make it. It's actually owned by Royal Oak. They allow the locals to come get a couple bags at a time for free. Thanks for the info.
Brass or any metal contamination isn't good for the minners. You want the tank to be metal free. Some of the plywood cover looks to be 2 layers thick. If you used screws or nails on the underside, put some silicone on the heads to cut the rust. The hinges need to be rubbed down with petroleum jelly to cut the flaking of metal into the tank when opening.
E. L. Bruce Co., Bruce, MS use to deal in a lot of oak lumber. The last time by the yard all I could see was pine logs. They made Royal Oak charcoal at one time. You could find pieces of flooring in the bag.
I guess I will have to make a few changes. ThanksQuote:
Originally Posted by canebreaker
I had to make changes to mine after my son and nephew looked at it. My son has 7 aquariums, 50 to 100 gallons. He does set ups for Petco customers in the Southaven area in his spare time. My nephew has a degree in marine biology from Baylor.
My minnows have been alive for a week or so. I have used half of them. I got my drain valve in and installed it. Here are a couple of pics.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps7b2c6f95.jpg
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf097fbc3.jpg
Here is my home made minnow strainer. To keep the minnows from getting caught in the drain when I change out the water.
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps64817d6e.jpg
Looking very good Brian.Im thinking you wouldnt have to change ALL the water out at one time.I keep a lot of shad and eels,I do a "partial" change out on the water.I know your tank is blue and sunlight wont get to it but my tanks are clear ?white tanks.Sunlight causes algea to grow...I called a guy today about some 15 gallon plastic barrels,,Im looking foreward to seeing it.
I've been thinking about trying to make something similar. Only difference being that I wanted to be able to run the pump off a battery, so I could haul the tank in my pickup. For weekend trips to places where I can't get the kind if bait I want. Have any of you guys done that?
Mine runs off of a rule 500gph dc pump. I have it running off of a battery charger right now.
I actually have it rigged up to hook up to my trailer light plug also. And you can run it off of a battery also
Thats a pretty slick looking tank! I have a similar setup myself, except I used a 20 gal trashcan and only run air, I held off on the sump and so far Ive been lucky. Even in the summer time I have had little deadloss. For home storage i use a $45, 500GPH powerhead pump, its 120 ac. For transport, I run a 120ac (via a inverter in my truck)air pump with a WOODEN AIRSTONE, it makes superfine bubbles. I havent had any loss while on the road, carrying 3-6 dozens minners at the time in a 5 gal bucket. Water change is 50% once a month.
good looking tank!
i use a plastic drum too. a tad more "hillbilly" than yours. lol mine just has a fountain pump run into a jug of filter matts. hung on the side and water falls back in the tank aerating it. keep gills for bait it year round. can keep 40-50 4-6"ers just fine(with partial water change every 2 weeks). cool and clean is all you need. enjoy your bait brotha:ThumbsUp
Heres a place on craigslist that sells them, but this guys from Arlington Tn ,,, But it sells for like $15.00 each depending on what size and all you buy,,,, These are old food type barrels,,, anyway,,, Tennessee and Mississippi guys,,, here's a deal you need.....>>>OPEN & CLOSED TOP PLASTIC FOOD GRADE DRUMS/BARRELS/TOTES,<<
That should work well
Very nice job think i will also build one