Cooler/livewell

[Guest]

Does anyone know the best way to make a cooler into a livewell?
I have an aerator pump built into the boat, but the livewell tank and cabinet have been removed. I like the idea of using a large cooler as a livewell. Can I use the existing aerator pump? Whats the best way to handle drainage/overflow?
Thanks in advance!

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Happy fishin'
Fitchwolf

[Fisher Dave]

Yes a cooler will work with the existing livewell pump.

You will need a proper valve for the water intake (spray bar, etc)... something that will aerate(sp?) the water. For an overflow you will need a valve at least 1" in diameter.. anything less the pump will fill the tank faster than it will drain.. or in other words, forget your pump on and you will start to fill the boat before long.

I would highly recommend draining the cooler outside the boat after having fish in it. The odor of the fish water will keep you quite popular with the bee's on future outings. It is best if you rig a drain to drain directly to the rear of the transom(boat out of water, and plug out), or a thru-hull drain to the outside of the boat is even better; with this type of drain you can drain your livewell at any time... on or off the water.

You can get all the fittings you may need at different retailers .. Cabela's, Gander, etc... I would check with Valv on the forum here.. he may have everything you need including good advice... and I would guess he has better use for a dollar than Gander..

A few fittings, some hose, and a little work and you'll be set.

Good Luck

[Steve Bakken]

Check out the archives for this forum. There's a great thread from a couple of months ago where we walked a guy through almost the same thing. Lots of good info.

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Steve @ Bakken's Boat Shop www.bakkensboatshop.com

[rockhardinmn]

Personally for myself i just use a Cooler. I like to put the fish i decide to keep right on ice. Nothing worse i feel than getting some fish and to have them get nasty in a live well. Surface temps are alot warmer than the water that the fish was caught in to start with.