Daily use minnow bucket/ aerator?

As bad as I hate to, it looks like I may have to start considering using minnows again a few times a month or many times, depending on client load. I built my own previous minnow container with a D-cell pump motor and aquarium bubbler. It worked OK for a few dozen minnows but wasn't well suited for keeping several dozen alive for a day or 2.

I'm wondering what size and brand some of container you guides and tournament types are using? Are you using oxygen set-ups? What kinds of additives? Any special tips for cleaning that will help keep them kicking?

Thanks. It's been a dozen or more years since I used minnows to any extent. Trip here/day there.

The Engel live bait cooler seems to be what most serious minnow fishermen use these days. Believe they run 70-100 just depending on the size


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Doug, get you a cheap cooler the size you need. Drill a hole in top edge below lid, get you a marine metals dual outlet 12 volt air pump. About 45.00 and a round disc type stone. Run one of the tubes through the hole for the stone. Just leave the other port open if you don't need it. On the open port put a short piece of tubing and one of those little check valves in it to keep trash out. Add a little of that blue bait saver to your water. I run 2 minnow buckets at the same time off one leg and live well off other leg.

I made a drain plug adapter and put the air thru there. Works on any cooler with a hose type screw drain plug. No holes to drill and remove adapter to drain. I had the 12v aerator bolted in a hidden hole on the boat so it was out of the way. Also used a check valve on air feed line.

I save and use my and Brenda's IV tubing for refreshing the air hose. ha

I will take a picture of plug if U interested. Simple to make.

Like Cray said and that is what I use also.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Marine-Me...-B-15/20753300
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sure-Life...-Bait/36052639

https://ll-us-i5.wal.co/asr/2a016d7e...0&odnBg=FFFFFF
https://ll-us-i5.wal.co/asr/c9ac0d2d...0&odnBg=FFFFFF

I would get an invertor and run a high volume aquarium pump.

Same here Cray. Both products.

Mino-mizer in your favorite cooler.
Mino-Mizer™ | HyPark Specialty

I routinely buy my minnows on Friday night for a Saturday tournament. When I camp for the tournament weekend I buy them Thursday night and use them all weekend. I have kept minnows alive for a week in the summer, had to add ice during the day. Remember to exchange water in the cooler several times a day. If not, they will poison themselves to death.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

I would get an invertor and run a high volume aquarium pump.

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Power bubbles is as good as an aquarium pump in my opinion

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I also used the Power bubbles. Work's good for me.
LittleJohn

I use the same products as Cray & scrat.

Power inverter so that aeration doesn't run on my batteries while its sitting in the garage ...

2 regular 120v aquarium aerators - 1 aerator provides aeration to the bulk tank/ 1 aerator provides aeration to the smaller minnow bucket on the front deck with me ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...f/IMG_2558.jpg

I also use the Better Bait product listed above ... and I change the water when the poop in the water starts to looks like someone sprinkled pepper in the bulk tank ...

Rickie

^^^^This!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

Power inverter so that aeration doesn't run on my batteries while its sitting in the garage ...

2 regular 120v aquarium aerators - 1 aerator provides aeration to the bulk tank/ 1 aerator provides aeration to the smaller minnow bucket on the front deck with me ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...f/IMG_2558.jpg

I also use the Better Bait product listed above ... and I change the water when the poop in the water starts to looks like someone sprinkled pepper in the bulk tank ...

Rickie

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I run the power bubbles in the boat and in the garage at home I have a big aquarium pump soneone gave me mounted on the wall for when I'm home[emoji2]

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At home I have two-100 gallon minnow tanks and use one of these in each tank. These 3-in-1 power filter performs three functions at the same time: water filtration, water circulation and aeration and for the price you can't beat it. I keep the same water and just take out 5 gallons a week and replace that with 5 gallons of fresh water using the Better Bait this also helps when you use water that has chlorine in it like city water. I catch my own minnows in a family catfish pond with a 5' castnet with 1/4" mesh. And it sure saves money on bait and I have minnows on hand when I need them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-Internal-Powerhead-Filter-Multi-Function-Pump-100-Gal-Fish-Tank-420-GPH-/281554962612

http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225...Qx4l494XRA.jpg

Power bubles and an ocasional frozen bottle of water on days like today. Kept a 1/2 pd happy!!!

I use the Engel bait cooler with a marine metals hush bubbles aerator. Really nice cooler with latches so you don't slosch water on your clients.

I made one with the same pump scrat posted and small cooler. I will keep em going!
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