Fluval 406 for Filtration and Aeration?

[Riffle]

I'm  doing some research on a bait tank setup and my plan is to get a 100 gallon Rubbermaid from Tractor Supply Co. for about $79 and a Fluval 406 canister filter for $149.

This setup will be in my unheated garage.

My question is can I simply use the Fluval as both a filter and aerator even though it only puts out 383 GPM, or do I need to buy another external pump and run some plumbing to supplement the flow on the Fluval, perhaps a 500 GPM?

Here is a video of the Fluval 406 pumping water:

Also, how much water should I expect to reasonably get into the Rubbermaid, 70, 75, 80 gallons?

My original plan was to run the Fluval alone and use the sprayer nozzle that comes with the unit, or, hook it up to a Johnson 9" aerating bar--could just make my own out of PVC too. http://www.marineengine.com/products/accessory.php?in=2510291

Any advice? 

Should I get a 500 GPM external pump or something even a little bigger, an 800 GPM maybe to run along with the Fluval?

I want to keep these little babies alive!!!!!


 

[Reel_Force]

 There is one other thing ya forgot to mention - amount and size of bait. (I think it's GPH instead of GPM) Overall, if ya have 80 gallons in it, that water will be completely recycled about 4.75 times in hour, put a spray bar slightly above the surface and ya'll have plenty of aeration and filtration...

[Riffle]

There is one other thing ya forgot to mention - amount and size of bait. (I think it's GPH instead of GPM) Overall, if ya have 80 gallons in it, that water will be completely recycled about 4.75 times in hour, put a spray bar slightly above the surface and ya'll have plenty of aeration and filtration...

You are right its not GPM, and its not 383, as the specs for the pump list the "filter output" at 245 GPH and the "pump output" at 383. I'm not exactly sure what the difference is but I'll use the 245 GPH.

I plan on keeping small/medium shiners in the tank, nothing too big, 2" - 4" and probably a couple hundred I'm guessing would be reasonable.

As for a spray bar, I have read that these are not the best option for delicate bait since scales and protective coatings are more easily removed--whether this is true or not I have no idea.

As for turnover, I have seen different rules of thumb--one is that I should be ideally turning over 10x the amount of water in the tank per hour.

Instead of the spray bar, I think I am going to get this 700 GPH Oxygenator setup from Rule: http://www.amerioutdoors.com/Rule-255.htm?feed=Froogle#

What that pump does is draw in air prior to circulating the water back into the tank. It also allows you to adjust the level of O2 being mixed with the water.

So a 700 GPH aerator and the 255 GPH filter will get me 955 GPH, if you figure the system efficiency is around 85% that is approximately 800 GPH being filtered/aerated/turned over, or 10x my 80 gallons of water.

I suppose if this is too much I could up the water a bit and add some plumbing to slow the pump down.

What do people here suggest as an ideal turnover rate?

[MSice27]

i had a fluval 406 in my aquarium. that was a 75 gal. it will be more than good enough in my opinon for what you are looking to do. if it was good enough for my fish in there, its good enough for some bait fish..

[FRESHBAIT]

Your aerator is only gonna just move the water around and not actually filter the water, just circulate it around,  agitating it.   Your filter may be adversely affected by the amount of turbulance in the water and it may not filter the water efficently.  That much agitation may cause what I call dead spots in the tank, caused from the turbulance/eddies in the water.  Leaving areas of the tank where sediments will settle out or just churn around in the water and not get drawn into the filter.   

Your fluval should be enough to handle the load, but you may find that its getting loaded up with waste and having to be cleaned out allot.    If your find your outflow of water slowing down its time to clean the filter media.  Put a out flow/spay bar right at the surface to agitate the water.   

[BIGCREW]

I would go with a large cooler instead of the rubbermaid tote,there really not meant to hold water,the sides are going to be bulged out and if it ever lets loose then you have problems,or you could build a box around the tote to suport it.the totes can break I know this first hand because it happend to me

[FRESHBAIT]

They'll bulge out a little bit thats for sure,   Thats why I try to find the most heavy duty ones possible.   One of my totes I've had for probably ten years or more and its still going with no problems.   I keep them out of sunlight as I think that the sunlight degrades the plastic.   I agree that if you see it bulging out considerably then I'd build some sort of containment box around it to help give it support.