Uninsulated bait tanks

[wshnIwsfshn]

What are you guys using to keep your water or filter from freezing in a non insulated garage fish tank heater only goes done to 65 degrees has anybody used a heat lamp and is it affective thanks

[esoxnepa]

I use an old 48 quart cooler.  Since I don't have any temperature control, I try to look at the expected overnight lows, and add enough warm water to bring the temperature of the water in the cooler high enough that it won't freeze over night.  Then next morning, I have to go see how well I guessed, change out or add some water to thaw the ice.  It's a pain, but I don't try to keep more than 2 dozen minnows overnight or for more than a couple days.

   

[Kevin23]

What are you guys using to keep your water or filter from freezing in a non insulated garage fish tank heater only goes done to 65 degrees has anybody used a heat lamp and is it affective thanks

I run a 100watt aquarium heater in my chest freezer bait tank, on the lowest setting it will hold it at 70 degrees (pumps also heat the water a bit). So i only plug it in if its going to be around or below 0. With an uninsulated tank i wouldnt think it would get it over 50. I think they also sell 50 watt ones, that might be better.

[beeverfishing]

You could try a Thermostatically Controlled Outlet.  Would turn on a heat source (heat lamp, small electrical heater etc. ) at low temp, off once temp rises above a set point.

[eriksat1]

First of all I put my 48 qt. cooler up on wood blocks so it is not sitting right on the cold cement floor then put a big cardboard box around it and hang a 100 watt light bulb about 8" - 12" inches above the water and run a small aquarium airator. Those lights with the clamp and aluminum reflector shield work good. I usually only need the light when it is really cold out, like low teens or colder.

[1moslab]

Farm supply places will have heaters for livestock tanks work great keep water just above freezing wich is great .cold is good.

[mdrobny]

First of all I put my 48 qt. cooler up on wood blocks so it is not sitting right on the cold cement floor then put a big cardboard box around it and hang a 100 watt light bulb about 8" - 12" inches above the water and run a small aquarium airator. Those lights with the clamp and aluminum reflector shield work good. I usually only need the light when it is really cold out, like low teens or colder.

use a light bulb too! pet stores sell a heat pad for under a reptile cage. it'll work too!
have had minnows in a bucket in my truck cab live for weeks with no air pump too as long as they don't freeze solid.have had to chip a hole in it a couple times too to get them out

[mealworm]

I just keep plenty of air in the uninsulated bait bucket seems to work fine for me with temps near -20° never had a problem

[river_scum]

perfect excuse to get a garage fridge!    my bait bucket dont freeze in the garage unless it gets under 0 outside.