Small bait tank size?

[mainbutter]

I've been thinking of starting up a bait tank, partly to have live bait available and partly because it'd be neat to have a few native fish (even if it's just bullheads) in a tank.

I've got a few spaces available on some iron rod stands to add a glass tank or two (probably in the 30 gallon size range). I was wondering what size would be appropriate for what number of creek chubs and/or bullheads.

Also, for you guys who do the bait tank thing, do you feed your bullheads anything?

[SteveD]

I've been thinking of starting up a bait tank, partly to have live bait available and partly because it'd be neat to have a few native fish (even if it's just bullheads) in a tank.

I've got a few spaces available on some iron rod stands to add a glass tank or two (probably in the 30 gallon size range). I was wondering what size would be appropriate for what number of creek chubs and/or bullheads.

Also, for you guys who do the bait tank thing, do you feed your bullheads anything?

I don't feed mine. They just [PoorWordUsage] and dirty up the tank. They are easy to replace so I don't worry about feeding them.

I have a 100 gallon tank and I keep from 50 to 75 bullies at a time. I do about a 75% water change every 3 days. I don't keep Creek Chubs but if you do you will want to cover your tank because they will jump out.

Was wondering why you want to use a glass tank? Are you wanting them to fish with or just for an aquarium? Are you planning on keeping it in the house? Mine is outside - later in the summer when the water gets warm it does create some smell. If you just have a couple of fish it may not be a problem for you but if you are into cats you will go through a lot of bullies so you will end up stocking more and more as you fish. They do require some work and like I said they can smell.

If you are looking for just a bait tank you can get a variety of different size stock tanks at Fleet Farm that you won't have to worry about breaking for just a few bucks. I would worry about breaking a tank when doing water changes which you will have to do a lot of with a small glass tank.

One thing to remember - the smaller the tank, the less fish it will hold and the more often you will need to do water changes to keep them healthy. I go through a lot of bullies so I have a big tank plus I spend a fair amount of time tending to them.

[mainbutter]

I figured as long as I was going to have a bait tank, I might as well have it be a pretty glass aquarium. The only place I have space for one is on the bottom of my two tier aquarium stand. Living in an apartment sucks sometimes, I just never have enough space.

[SteveD]

I don't mean to discourage you - an aquarium would work. From your initial description of what you wanted I just had this sight picture of your bait tank as holding a dozen or more bullies.

Some things to think about:

#1. You will be changing water from it fairly frequently to keep the bullies healthy so something a little more rugged like a large cooler might work better.

#2. If space is an issue you might consider one of those coolers on wheels. They are rugged, portable, and easy to access for water changes. You could just haul it into the bathroom to change water quickly. Water changes can get messy if you are dipping the water out into a bucket and hauling that into the bathroom.

#3. I would recommend running an aquarium power filter sized for about twice the amount of water you are using in your tank if possible. Run it 24/7. The power filter alone should provide enough oxygen for the fish. See if your power filter will take an ammonia remover cartridge. If you have trouble with your fish that might help.

#4. I would recommend keeping about a dozen bullies. I don't know how many you use on each fishing trip but a dozen should last you a couple to three trips for yourself. Replace the bullies as you use them.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I have a 20 gallon Rubbermaid tote that I use in the summer and keep no more than 24 in there at a time. No filter, just an aerator.

They seem to stay alive a while, but that water gets dirty very fast. Also when one gets the crud they all go down.

[Borch]

I have a 30 gallon with a 3 stage external canister water filtration/aeration system. I'm using an old freezer which I'll run on a timer to keep the water temp around 60 degrees give or take. I'm also hooking a valve into the system to easily drain out water with the pump for quick water changes.

[rushing]

I picked up one of these last season. They come in 10, 20gal sizes. Super sturdy.

[nsnutter]

Rushing are you running any sort of aereation/filter in that or are they just gulping ... looks like an amazing bait tank - very very economical. Would be nice to house more than the dozen or so I can safely house now ...

[rushing]

I have a double output aerator. I have the stuff to rig up a filter deal but I haven't rigged up anything yet. If you set them in a 5gal pails for a day or two to puke themselves out then put them in the bigger tank, you can get by with a partial water change every few days.

[nsnutter]

Sounds like a much, much better setup then what I'm running now ... how many do you tend to run in that garbage can? Seems like you could get by with quite a few ...