aerators in the garage

[setterguy]

Has anyone used those plug in aerators and if so do they work in freezing environments, namely my unheated uninsulated garage? I think it might work just to keep the water moving just enough not to freeze. Any thoughts?

[vern]

I've been using a regular aquarium aerator in a foam minnow bucket & it still freezes up, especially with these temps. It will just take a couple days instead of a few hours. I've been alternating between the garage & the basement. When you get too much ice just bring them inside. It should be OK for a couple days. Vern

[kslipsinker]

I do the same as Vern. If I keep the bucket in the house for a week, the water turns cloudy and should be changed.

[Guest]

i use a coleman cooler,holds est 8 gallons or so,it will freeze over on top but plenty
of water to keep minnows alive,still have to bring it in every few days to thaw out

[Guest]

Keep you minnows in your basement with an Oxygenator http://fishingmn.com/oxygenator/
It keeps oxygen in the water, unlike a bubbler or aquarium pump, the bubbles hit the surface and you lose the oxygen.
Then just put your minnows in the garage a day before you go fishing to lower the water temp to avoid shock.

------------------
MILLE LACS AREA GUIDE SERVICE
651-271-5459 http://fishingminnesota.com/millelacsguide/
click here

[This message has been edited by D-man (edited 01-23-2003).]

[setterguy]

Thanks for the replies guys, I thought that it would be a little too warm (65-68) in the basement, will they be fine at that temp? I plow snow so every dollar has to stretch this year.

[vern]

Hey Setterguy, I've had some fatheads in the basement for almost 2 weeks and they still look good. Just keep the air on & change the water every couple days. Chlorinated tap water might kill them, so if you add water let it sit for a day or get some de-chlor drops from the petstore. Put them in the coolest spot you can find. By the way, I plowed snow for about 10 years. This is definately the worst year I can remember. Good luck, I hope we see some snow! Vern

[Valv]

I've been using a old bilge pump, with low gph so it won't spray too far, connected it to a livewell switch with timer and to a trolling battery, and dropped it into bucket. It goes on every minute and runs for 90seconds, I didn't have any problem all winter, I even keep shiners in same bucket, it will save a bundle from expensive minnows.

http://www.kvesurplus.com

[This message has been edited by D-man (edited 01-24-2003).]