keeping minnows in a tank

[Guest]

Bogeyjoker,Blackjack and Fishead,I recieved an e-mail from Rick at the site saying you replied to my topic but I'm having trouble finding it in the forum. Any hints on where to find your response? Thanks, Bob.

[BLACKJACK]

Couldn't find it either, even after using the search. I can't even remember what the question was. Thats one of the problems with a Forum, once a topic is inactive, and if its on a Forum that you don't go to every day (like the Main ice Fishing Forum), it drops out of sight.

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply Blackjack,I'm kinda new at this forum stuff. Anyway my question was regarding keeping bait in a tank in the garage and the casulties I suffered. Others have warned me about warm temps and the lack of oxygen. I'm having better luck now that the temp has finally gone down here in western ma. and I'm wondering if anyone has any info on the minimum oxygen content the water must have to keep these guys alive. I do have the means to measure it. Thanks, Bob.

[bogeyjoker]

Bob, I think your main problem was temp. fluctuation, (freezing up and then thawing out). A small aquarium air pump/air stone should be more than enough to keep your dissolved oxygen levels high enough if your water is cold. As I stated before (it might have been one of the messages that got deleted before you read it), the key is to keep the water as cold as you can without it freezing solid...skim ice is fine. And changing most (not all) of the water at least once/week and adding the new water slowly so you don't give the minnows temperature "shock". Find a way to insulate the tank...styrofoam sheets, or build an insulated box around the tank with a lid. good luck!

[Guest]

i use a coleman cooler with an aquarium pump,
my garage is not heated,i keep the water moving to avoid freezing,minor causalities,
i just dump in the minnow buckets when i get home,the pump at walmart was about 11 bucks

[Guest]

Thanks guys,you're a wealth of information. I think your right,the water was too warm because it finally got and stayed cold here and they're doing great,just like previous years. Do you guys think a small aquarium stone is enough oxygen for 600 shiners in 55 gallons of water this time of year?

[Valv]

Bob,

Probably this doesn apply to your case, but a good friend of mine, MnSportsman, taught me last year to keep minnows in a dark container, they won't "fade" soon and look nice and dark just like the shop.

I always kept them in a styrofoam bucket and after few minutes on ice, they looked like "ghosts" in a bucket.....

Also, I know it's not right, but I believe it's better let the,m freeze for a short time than have them in warm water. I froze my bucket SOLID twice this year (forgot it outside) and after I brought it in the house to warm up....amazingly they ALL came back, even shiners...

Val

[This message has been edited by Valv (edited 01-03-2002).]

[WarrenA]

I made a tank filter from a piece of 2" plastic pipe. use a submersible pump from Little Giant one for a water statue. 1/2" plastic pipe elbow up to the base of the filter a 2" pipe cap drill a hole in it and tap it for 5/8 fine thread, then you can put 5/8 fine threads on a 1/2" plastic pipe elbow that has 1 side flat it is a little tricky but can be done. then turn the adapter into the cap and filter body. Inside the filter put 2 layers of coarse floor scrubber pad some charcoal for goldfish tanks another filter some angel hair for goldfish tanks and another filter pad and put a cap and elbow on top run a piece of pipe across the tank with a few holes for the water to trickle out of and it will circulate and filter. I have had the same minnows in my tank since Nov. they are getting a little thin but are in good shape. I take a few fishing once in a while. Change the charcoal a couple times a year and they will be good for all ice season.

[Guest]

Is it this topic?I couldn't figure out how to put the link up but just cut and past this then put in your address line on your browser.
http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001183.html

Well I guess I did figure it out.

[This message has been edited by fishhead (edited 02-24-2002).]

[This message has been edited by fishhead (edited 02-24-2002).]

[The Chemist]

I have had a real success by keeping them cool by the basement door. But I did however find out one thing: Don't keep minnows in styrofoam. I had 2 buckets the other was a 5 gallon pail. 90% of the minnows in the styrofoam died as compared to 4or 5 in the plastic. The water in the styrofoam was maybe 2 weeks old and that in the plastic was since the first of the year.

[Guest]

wally.....i loook through the back pages and i couldn't finf it either. I remember reading it. LAKE

[Guest]

another problem you may be having is amonia build up. Change the water often. or if you are going to use a filter system crushed oyster shells are very inexpensive and work great, but rinse them first or you'll have a tank of milk for a couple of days.

[Steve Foss]

Hey guys:

There are a few options other than having to change water, too.

Just buy a filter system designed for your tank and used by freshwater tropical fish enthusiasts. They're not that pricey. They use activated carbon. The easiest ones hang on the outside of the tank, and have carbon/charcoal cartridges that you just switch out. That'll keep you from having to change the water.

Also, there are a couple types of fish you can buy in pet stores that eat the junk off the glass. One is the plecostemus (yeah, I can't remember how to spell that). They may not respond really well to very cold water, though. Or you can buy a few snails, which do the same thing, or better yet, grab a few off the bottom of a nearby lake or pond or creek this summer so you got the kind that are used to your area and survive in cold water.

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Steve ([email protected])