Minnow Bucket Aerator

[bloc004]

I received a new portable aerator for Christmas. It takes a D battery and says it runs for 84 hours on that. Does anyone use these? How often do you run it/ need to run it to keep bait alive?

[timbo147]

I use one that clips onto the side of a minnow bucket. I usually just use it at home. I don't let it run continuously, just an hour here and there. I still change the water every other day though and have had minnows last up to three weeks and some have died after only a few days regardless of what I do.

[FrontenacPike]

When i am at LOW and staying in a sleeper on the ice i keep mine running the whole time. It keeps the bait much more active. If left on constat you will get right around 24 hours out of it. The only experience i have are with raovac batteries. I'm not sure how long you would get if you used a better battery. Typically Menards has raovacs on sale this time of the year so i load up for my fishing trips.

[shnelson]

I've been able to run mine up to 24 hours on cheap batteries, much longer on duracell.

I typically don't have to run it during the day while I'm fishing, just let it rip overnight to keep them all kicking strong.

I also got tired of using up batteries at home, so I modified an old cell phone charger last night and threw some alligator clips on it (threw some diodes inline to bring the voltage down from 5v to 3v). Ran all night just fine, and I didn't burn the house down!

[Mainehazmt]

I run mine from the time I take them from the bait tank till I dump them back in doesnt hurt and makes them stronger

[wplatehunter]

24 hours is about what I get out of mine.

[pulleye16]

I love mine as well and they do seem to last a long time, though have never timed it but will keep mine running for the weekend and has never let me down yet. Very nice for keeping light northern alive for ice fishing and very usefull in the summer time trying to keep those stupis shiners alive long enough to use one. Its a great gift that you got and you'll love it.

p.s. Either make a new carring handle that attatches to the side of the unit or reinforce the lid with an extra latch. The carring handle on mine is on the lid and if it fails...goodbye minnows. I went to local hardware store and bought a simple window latch and screwed it on and have never lost anymore bait.

p.p.s If you need a new filter or bubble check out a local pet shop for lower prices...

[CrappieNut]

i use mine mostly to keep the bait from freezing, another tip i have is to go out to the nearest pet shop and pick up a cheap arreator to plug into the wall, for when your bait is at home. over the course of winter you'll save alot of $$ on batteries. i think i found one for $6.99 and have used it for 3 seasons now