Ideas For Aerated Bait Buckets

[bloodnguts]

I was contemplating buying a five gallon aerated bait bucket, either one of the Cool Bubbles, Frabill, or Aerobait brands, which range anywhere from 50 to 80 bucks. Something just keeps me from buying one, however, when I see the aerators they're putting on those things are mostly less than 25 bucks on their own, meaning these stupid buckets are costing another 25 to 50 bucks, just for the bucket with a cheap styrofoam liner. While in Walmart tonight, I found the Marine Metals "Hush Bubbles" aerators selling for 16 bucks, while they are 22 bucks in the catalogs. Then I found Walmart had a bunch of Igloo brand, insulated 5 gallon circular water coolers, with pop off, removeable lids (with a good tight seal), on clearance for 17 bucks. I got to thinking, for 33 bucks I could put together a far superior, insulated 5 gallon bait bucket, and save myself a nice chunk of money. Do you guys see any reason this shouldn't work, like for instance, do you have to have a styrofoam liner for some reason, or is a well insulated, plastic cooler just as good? Any ideas?

[toolboy]

I have used a regular cooler with a simple aerator attatched for years and it has worked fine. I came across a great deal on a twenty gallon tank with a 12 volt aerator to try this year. The cooler works with 3-5 dozen minnows, but when you are taking 10-20 dozen or more, it's a little tougher to keep them alive.

[rebs]

I use a plain 5 gallon bucket with an oxygenator in it to transport minnows to the lake, then I put them in my live well for the day, adding fresh lake water every so often. I also have an oxygenator in my live well. After fishing I leave them right in the live well for the ride home and then put whats left back in my 100 gallon bait tank in my garage til the next time. I generally keep a pound or two of minnows in the bait tank in my garage maybe three pounds at times so I am ready to go without a trip to the bait shop.

[ffishman]

Some time ago, I went the same route you are now going through. I wanted to find a way to save minnows till I needed them the next day. Everything I tried worked just ok. I then broke down and bought the Frabil. One big advantage I see it the aerator. If needed it will run off two or one D cell battery. In my boat I hook it up to my 12v battery. And for overnite use I use a small transformer plugged into the wall and keep it running all nite. A couple of cubes, and in the morning very few if any dead minnows.

[cspierings]

I have the Frabill. My wife bought it for me Father's day 2009. I am on my third one already. My experience has been that they don't hold up over time. The first one died after about 4 hours of use. I took that back to Gander Mountain where my wife bought it and they replaced it. The second one died that September after being used on about 3 outings maybe a total of 20 hours of run time. Frabil stood behind that one, I sent in the top which contains the aerator and they sent me a new top.

The problem is now that the aerator seems to be running over speed when I plug it in to the cigarette lighter outlet in the boat. I have queried Frabil twice via email about it and gotten no response. Called once was told I should have sent in the top and the plug and when I said I would be happy to do so I was told not to bother because I wouldn't have another failure.

I hope that call doesn't haunt me if this thing fails some time this spring. I have to admit it is a very handy outfit to have but for the price paid I don't think the failure rate is acceptable and the second time around the response on the phone was lackluster at best. Time will tell.

[ffishman]

Not sure what is happening to yours, but mine is now going to be 5 years old, and still works perfectly.

[klungses]

In my experience any well insulated bucket or cooler will work out well. The most important part is a quality aerator and just as important is keeping the water at a cool temperature. No matter how good of an aerator - if water temp gets to high it is not going to matter.

I use a insulated 5-gallon bucket with a aerator - srry don't remember brand off the top of my head. In a great moment of clarity!!!!! - I figured out to put the hole for the hose slightly down from the lid on the side of the bucket instead of through the top this way I can still use the bucket as a chair if I am ice-fishing or in the boat or have the ability to use the bucket as a lure table in the boat.

[OldDawg]

I use a 5 gallon drinking water bucket which is fiber glass and insulated with a "Mino-Mizer" in it. Works great and has been in use for the last 5 years.

Google Mino-Mizer I think they cost about $40.

[Seedtree]

A 5 gallon bucket of water is 40 lbs to pack around on shore and on your boat.

I've used a lunch-sized cooler that I rigged with a Frabill aerator for many years. Works on the ice and on the boat during the heat of summer.

I would spend money on a quality aerator. Save money on the bucket.

My .02s.

[Pooch]

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=16&pictureid=2820

Pump is from a pet store for aquariums. Left the cooler on the porch with minnows in it for four days and didn't loose a one. It was hot so we added a SMALL piece of ice a couple times a day. Not big enough to rapidly change the water temp and shock (kill) the minnows. Quick temperature change is a minnow killer.

Will do it again this year.

Pooch

[AllenW]

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=16&pictureid=2820

Pump is from a pet store for aquariums. Left the cooler on the porch with minnows in it for four days and didn't loose a one. It was hot so we added a SMALL piece of ice a couple times a day. Not big enough to rapidly change the water temp and shock (kill) the minnows. Quick temperature change is a minnow killer.

Will do it again this year.

Pooch

I think temp change is probably as or more important as aerating.

I've found a insulated cooler with a bit of ice from time to time has kept minnows longer than just an aerator, especially the warmer it is out.

Al

[fisher_i_am]

I have done similar to most of you with insulated 5gal bucket and an aerator. Works well.

My issue is dirty water after 4-5 days... I usually have another bucket of tap water that I put out a day in advance of changing water out...Anyone have a better idea how to keep fresh/clean water for the minnow. Maybe I have too many minnows for a 5gal bucket for extended time?

[Pooch]

Size matters..... With just average sized minnows the water stays fairly clean for a few days. Throw in a couple big sucker minnows and overnight the water is cloudy and needs changed. They sure must poop a bunch. Now I keep them separate if possible.

Pooch

[Backwater Eddy]

I have the Frabill. My wife bought it for me Father's day 2009. I am on my third one already. My experience has been that they don't hold up over time. The first one died after about 4 hours of use. I took that back to Gander Mountain where my wife bought it and they replaced it. The second one died that September after being used on about 3 outings maybe a total of 20 hours of run time. Frabil stood behind that one, I sent in the top which contains the aerator and they sent me a new top.

The problem is now that the aerator seems to be running over speed when I plug it in to the cigarette lighter outlet in the boat. I have queried Frabil twice via email about it and gotten no response. Called once was told I should have sent in the top and the plug and when I said I would be happy to do so I was told not to bother because I wouldn't have another failure.

I hope that call doesn't haunt me if this thing fails some time this spring. I have to admit it is a very handy outfit to have but for the price paid I don't think the failure rate is acceptable and the second time around the response on the phone was lackluster at best. Time will tell.

Be sure your using the 12v step down voltage plug on the Frabill bait buckets, if you use one that is fully 12V...it will sound like it is a car in 1st gear going 50 mpr...but not too long, it will burn them out eventually. They step them down to a lower voltage, so only use the approve converter plugs from Frabill in the boat.

[Mike7759]

Cool water is best because it can hold more desolved oxygen.
Respiriation from fish produces ammonias that will kill fish in a few days no matter what type of aerator you have.
Almost all aerators are just a vibrationg motor against a rubber diaphram out a one way valve.
The bubbles are not what puts O2 into the water. Its the surface agitation and current they create in the water. Surface agitation is where your gas exchange occurs.

[fishguyd]

not sure where your from , but in some states its illegal to transport live fish or minnows in anykind of non-certified water. but if thats not your worry all you need is about $15. a free 5 gallong bucket from a resturant/factory, a $6 foam minnow bucket to insert into the bucket and a pet store fish tank bubbler--done, until the water gets to warm, need power in the car/boat?, then use the power transformer you probably already own for running the air pump off you car/boat battery, good luck, Capt. Josh

[Dan oh]

Just to let you guys know, that Oxygenator is coming out with an Portable Oxygenator that you can use on anything from small 3 gallon buckets up to 100 gallons. If you are trying to keep minnows alive at home or larger bait tanks or tournament tanks for fish, this unit will work.
The unit has 3 settings for low, medium and high. It works on a timer for the amount of run time on each setting. It can be connected to your boat battery or a wall outlet. If you want more info visit the website at www.KeepFishAlive.com
I think the unit will be out in a couple months.

Dan

[muskyhunter34]

my frabill is so necessary to my fishing needs... I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY that the cooler the water, the most chance you have to keep ALL of your minnows...therefore add ice; preferrably small pieces or shavings to the bucket during the day and then ALITTLE more at night....the most expensive frabill has all the bells and whistles....buy and enjoy it...$$, but worth it...:rock-on:

[REW]

Take any standard cooler of the size you desire. More minnows - larger cooler.
One aquarium pump.

Plug in and you are good to go. Keep in a cool place, or if necessary add ice as needed to keep the water cool.

If you use typical city water which has chlorine added to it, be sure to add antichlorine pills to the water before putting in the cooler, unless you let the water stand in an open container for a few days before use which will allow the chlorine to dissipate from the water. To be sure, test the water with a chlorine test kit - for aquariums to be sure that you don't have chlorine in the water which will kill the minnows.

Many rural areas that have minnows either use well water or creek or river water for their tanks, so have no issues with chlorine. But, if you have chlorinated water coming to your home, address the issue or you will end up only with dead minnows.

By the way, a nice cooler is much sturdier than a Styrofoam bucker and or liner. Also, the coolers typically have good latches, so if transporting, it is easy to latch the cover securely. Then, during stationary use, be sure to prop the cover open a bit to allow for easy air exchange. i.e. you don't want the cooler to be air tight, which most coolers are to a large extent when latched.

Take care

REW