aqua magnum-mini

[korn_fish]

What's the word on these. I was able to pick one of their "magnum"'s up last winter for cheap during a store closing.

Last spring a few people mentioned them but hadn'r really had time to try them yet.

Any special tricks to use these?

When I first read about them, it almost sounded as if they could over oxygenate the water and kill the bait. But now when I read their web site, they say that this thing bassically turns it self on and off depending on the current oxygen diffusion amounts in the water. Did they change the oxygenator, or re-word their HSOforum after complaints?

[Rick]

I can tell you that bullheads and suckers died rapidly when using the Aqua Magnum as instructed.

I was initially impressed with the product, but after further testing and confirmation of problems with a number of anglers.

It may work in some situations, but it is not something I would use regularly. I'll use Frabill aerators anyday over the mini or magnum.

I believe some other cat guys can back this up.

[Dennis Steele]

Nope...didn't like it.
I liked it at first.Did a decent job keeping some baits alive as long as fresh water was added on a regular basis.When i tried it with bullheads it killed them within a half hour.I can't say what was killing the bullheads but it did it everytime.I even tested it against an unoxygenated bucket.Unoxygenated bucket worked much better.

[Dirk W]

I think the problem that's making these things not work as expected is Co2 buildup in the water. The guys I know all say you need to "agitate" the water to get the Co2 released. This means bait in a cooler = problems. Put one in a livewell with a recuirculator and they apparently work well. Anyway, I'm with the guys on this one. My chubs don't do well. I'd buy something else. I use (I think its called) a "Super Fish Saver" system in a cooler, hook it up to my battery, install a in-line on-off switch, and I'm good to go. There are probably better systems than this one also but it works for me.

[vern]

I use the Frabill Aqua-Life products for suckers & chubs & they work great. They have a few aerator options depending on the size of your cooler/bait tank etc. And for smaller bait I use the 5-gallon pail snap-on version. Vern

[korn_fish]

Thanks everyone. Any one want to get their hands on an oxygenator for cheap hehe

I currently use the super fish savor and don't have any problems with that. I was just hoping to lower the juice being drawn from my battery and also lower the sound being made by the aerator.

Guess I will have to stick with that and then using flow trolls for when I set up at night.

[Toad]

Overall, I have to admit to being disappointed as well. Killed every sucker, and nearly every redtail chub in my big stocktank last year. The Magnum did, however, keep wild golden shiners and gamefish in good shape-- species that require higher DO content. Even rejuvinated previously depleted crappies and walleyes. One possible problem, according to fisheries biologists I spoke to, might have been oxygen supersaturation, or even hypersaturation, which basically causes the same problems in fish as undersaturation (low oxygen). In other words-- "too much oxygen," which creates a lethal chemical imbalance in fish.

Eventually, I hope, someone will find a way to add and regulate "just the right amount" of oxygen into bait tanks or livewells, which for most fish means 3 to maybe 8 parts per million. (Maybe some manufacturer out there is listening ). When we tested my 100 gallon tank with an oxygen meter, the Oxygenator had raised DO levels to as much as 22 ppm.

-a friend called Toad

[Hubcat]

When I used it I notice when I touched the water it felt like I was getting a little shock like there was electricity running through the water.
Maybe that is what is killing the bait (Also could be my imagination)

[Dennis Steele]

Here's what funny.
I didn't notice anything wrong with it at first.Kept shiners in good shape and even the wild suckers that I caught in some of the creeks around.It wasn't untill I started keeping bait bought from your shop and bullheads,that I noticed any problems.I just though you had crappy bait.
After reading the information on this thread I think I believe the prblem is as Toad suggested,too much oxygen.It worked on a livewell full of fish,suckers and chubs from bubling creeks,and shiners.All fish that need lots of oxygen.Put in some bullheads and store bought suckers that don't require that much oxygen and they go belly up.

[169Sportsman]

Oh sure now it's my bait! I will have to give the one I own a try again some time in a livewell full of fish. I did sell a couple mini units that guys said they liked but not the magnums.

Tom