How many lbs???

[BuckeyeKdog]

Really depends on temperature as well as oxygen level. Clean aerated water is a must. The other thing to consider is feeding the minnows and keeping the water clean. I keep minnows in an 80 gallon aquarium with a power filter system and run a DE filter every couple days. My water stays 55 - 65 degrees. I buy 5# of minnows at a time, replensih when they get time consuming to net, Conservatively. I would guess I keep 3-7 thousand minnows year round.

As far as being too slick, the slime coating is needed to maintain optimal health. However, the chemicals you added may have been done to an extreme. I do not use chemicals as I am using well water that is filtered through a charcoal filter before adding to my tank. I do add 1 teaspoon of sea salt for every 10 gallons of water added.

Keeping water clean and fresh is the hardest part. changing 15 - 20 percent of the water weekly helps to remove toxins from waste decomposition. The nice filter system helps a whole lot but the gravel bed needs weekly maintenance simply siphon out all the waste and add fresh water. After several times you get very efficient and water additions are simple.

[BigRiverMarine]

I use a 100 gallon Rubbermaid watering trough. I keep 5-6 lbs easily if I change 75% of the water every week when it's cool out, or every 3-4 days in warmer weather. Might hold a few more lbs with regular water changes. I don't use chemicals, I use an RV filter from walmart to put water in the tank. I also took a 1" hole saw and drilled holes along the bottom of a battery box and hollow fill from a cheap pillow for a filter. I actually use an aerator pump in a hole I drilled near the bottom of the tank and ran a hose from that into the battery box. I bought a 120v to 12v cell phone charger from the truck stop to run the aerator pump. I also use a double pump for an aquarium and two big air stones and lines for oxygen.

[gonz]

I have a 55 gal minnow tank I just built in garage to use with well water, with filter attached to the bilge that pumps for oxygenation. Can you recommend a thermometer? Also, is anyone keeping the water cool by any other means beside more water on regular basis? Ice at lake I know,but it would be nice if we had a way to keep it cool when warm out!
Thanks!

Gonz

["D"]

How come no body is adding pictures?

[jigflinger]

Let's see if this works. Here's one of mine.

[canebreaker]

I use the floating type in my 55 gal. drum.
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[Bluesraider]

Just a quick update on how my first batch went. Finally had a complete die off from the 2lbs I bought. They lasted about a month and a half. Seems like a short time to me? This tank is in a basement and the weather has been very cold here during the time I had them. I probably changed out 75% of the water 3 times during that period. Had a few die here and there for a while and then that last week they were pretty much all gone water had a lot of bubbles on top and there were "clumps" of dead minnows that were caught around the filter intake. I am running one dual air stone that seems to be putting off quite a few bubbles and I have one of the large 40-60 gallon aquarium filters from Wally World. Will try to get a picture of my setup but wondering if there is something I need to do different to keep them alive longer?

[hays47]

Took a useless space that housed my sump pump. My house does not have basement. Laid down rubber flooring as room is damp most of time. Painted walls and added lighting all plastic fixtures to eliminate rust problems. Note filter in front of tank. Filter will greatly add to longevity of your minnows. Two biggest enemies of trying to keep minnows heat and ammonia. The filter helps to remove ammonia and bring beneath ground level helps on temperature. Cooler the water the more oxygen it can retain. Even with Ohio's extreme cold this winter the little room never fell below 52 F. With no heat being introduced.

Just started this fall so I can't report how they will do over the summer. I think the room will stay cool enough but can't say for sure. If it can maintain water temp around 70 F and below it should be ok. Tank is about 45 gallon and I kept between 1 and 2 pounds all winter. Minnows also must be fed if kept much more than a week. Purina makes a minnow chow but I use ground dry dog food. Overfeeding causes ammonia problems so feed on the caution side.

Filter set up ran me less than 70.00. Price was low compared to other filters but has worked fine all winter. Also added a little tying shelf so I can work on my custom jigs and pin min lures. Better than freezing in my unheated garage.

Forgot to add the filter cuts down greatly on water changes. Internet full of helpful advice.

[jigflinger]

Good looking set-up, hays47. At 70 degrees you should be able to keep at least 5#. At 65 degrees you should be able to hold 10# with ease.

[blackfish]

Don't change the water to often. Filter if possible. Most people kill their minnow s changing their water to often. JMO.