Bait tank

[HaywardBound]

I'd like to set up a fish tank for bait. I want to keep some bullheads and minnows alive for longer than a few days.

I'm wondering what kind of set-up you guys use, and what I would need to get started. If it gets too expensive I could settle with a 5 gal bucket with an aerator in it.

Jon

[HaywardBound]

I just noticed another post like this about minnows.

I'll keep this thread anyway, since it will be used for catfish bait. Suckers, bullheads, fatheads, and what ever else I can find.

[DTro]

Here's what I do:

I have a large rubbermaid container (maybe 40-50 gallons).

I fill it up and let the chlorine die off (at least 24 hours). I have a cheap aquarium air pump and change 25% of the water maybe once a week.

Now, if I could just find some bullheads

I tried my spots last night and all I could catch were crappies.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Dtro, I had the same problem last week. They don't seem to be in their normal spots yet Luckily, a friend found them, so I have a supply again.

Here's what I do. I've got a cooler (filled to the top, it holds about 12 gallons). Fill it up and put in dechlorinator drops (cheap at Walmart). Then, I've got a cheap aquarium pump on it to circulate water. You can use a pump and airstone, but I like a powerhead because it actually keeps the water moving. Change the water when it starts to get gross (it depends how many you have it there). Works pretty well. I plan on rigging up a "portable" one with a livewell pump sometime, but for now, I just throw them in a minnow bucket. Also, for when it gets warmer, I plan on having a couple of frozen milk jugs to toss in to keep it a little cooler.

[Random guy]

Have you guys tried any of the higher end filter/pumps to move the water that cleans it up as it goes through. I was thinking that would help to keep those small tanks cleaner longer? Changing water for me is the biggest hassle of all for me.

[Ralph Wiggum]

You know, it would be nice, but I haven't tried it. I wish I would have saved a filter off my old 55 before I got rid of it. You're still going to have to change water frequently because those bullheads are messy fish. A filter will help with any particles in the water, but you're still going to have to freshen up the water to deal with the ammonia and other toxins that they put out.

[AQUAJOE]

All the information in the Keeping minnows thread works for catfish bait. The over the back filter have cartridges in them that remove ammonia and nitrates. So the changing of water (50% works best because bait fish)needs to happen only every couple of weeks.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Yeah, the commercial filters will remove ammonia and nitrates if you get the filters with charcoal in them, but you'll have to keep replacing them to keep the charcoal fresh, and that'll get a bit expensive.

I used to keep Oscars, and with one 10" fish in a 55 gallon tank with filters pumping 900gph, I still changed ~25% of the water weekly. Bullheads are more hardy, but keep in mind that you'll be having more fish in less water (probably).

One thing I like about the cooler is that I can pop the plug and easily drain the water to change it.

[rushing]

Bullheads are extremely dirty fish and tend to puke up all contents of their stomachs so replacing the water very often is a must. I just keep about a dozen in a 5gal bucket and change the water everyday. I use a cheap fish tank pump with a bubble stone.

[HaywardBound]

So using tap water I should let it sit for 24 hours or use chlorine tabs?

I like the frozen milk jug idea. Are bullheads sensitive to water tempature changes like minnows?

Thanks for the help, now I also need to catch some. I went out yesterday, but no luck.

I used to hate catching bullheads as a kid, strange that I'm actually targeting them now.

[AQUAJOE]

All fish are sensitive to water temp changes.

Minnows and other bait fish are just the fish that we most often put in this situation, and see the most impact.(money)

The clorine tabs are ok. They are faster then just letting water sit for 48 to 72 hours.

Drops remove the chlorine immediatly. But drops are not all that cheap either.

[rushing]

Well I have well water and the bullies seem to think its some kind of steroid cuz they go banannas. Friends of mine use tap water for thier bullies with little ill effect. Bullheads are extremly durable you might be able to get away with doing very little. Other fish a different story.

[hanson]

Bait shop sucker minnows are a pain in the butt. In the summer, they are very water temp sensitive too.