FNE's guide to keeping bait!

[FishingNewEngland]

I've been considering doing this for several years but keep coming back to the freezing issue.
   I'm sure I can keep the tank from freezing with a stock tank heater but what about the filter and lines? Even with the pump running I'm sure the lines and filter will probably freeze
   Anyone out there running a bait tank in an unheated garage where temps get way below freezing for long periods?

My tank is in an unheated garage and I've never had an issue.

[Bellybuster]

do you run an external filter? or add any heat source at all? I would guess your NE winters are similar to mine.
   I do keep left over bait between trips in a 10 gallon igloo with a livewell circ pump but when the temp drops it freezes every time

[FishingNewEngland]

do you run an external filter? or add any heat source at all? I would guess your NE winters are similar to mine.
   I do keep left over bait between trips in a 10 gallon igloo with a livewell circ pump but when the temp drops it freezes every time

Yep, Magnum 350 canister filter. I have heaters but have not used them. I do keep a small pump at the bottom of the tank facing up so that the surface remains agitated. That also helps keep it from freezing.

[Bellybuster]

thanks FNE...I may just do this now, on the hunt for a 50 gallon drum.
  I have a large cannister filter for my pond that is rated 1000 gallons and it has UV as well. may as well put it to use in the off season

[9huskies]

What about maintaining the temperature in the tank?  I don't have an unheated basement to keep it in.  I think it would freeze in my unheated garage.  I was thinking of sinking the tank in to the ground and using an insulated cover.  Let the ground's geothermal energy keep it at a constant temperature.

For those of you who are concerned about your bait freezing,  this worked for me last winter.  I placed the lower 2 feet of a 55 gallon drum in the ground and put bails of straw around the part that was above ground.  I covered the top with 2 inch foam to insulate from above.  Even when the temperature dropped to -30 nothing froze.  When my tank was in an unheated shed it froze at 15 degrees.   

One question,  which is easier to keep alive,  blacknose dace or golden shiners?  I have easy access to both in large numbers.

[1moslab]

i had a 135 gallon tank in my garagein winter with a small heater and a outside the tank filter.water froze up in hoses running from filter to tank,stoped water flow than all froze but little circle around heater.lost bait lost filter and lost tank when bottom cracked.we all know cold water is best but be carefull.

[rickl1968]

Great info..........Thanks.

Just wanted to bump this thread back up to the first page, I was thinking of starting a tank last year but never did. I have ordered the pump and now I am looking at buying a filter. 
I am going to use an old chest freezer because it is already insulated, going to keep it in my uninsulated garage.

[SPADED]

you could keep hundreds in a chest freezer!! i have never thought of that.. i want to get a broken chest freezer from work and gut all the crap out of it and paint it maybe for my mom to use in her barn.. she wants something to store grain in for the horses that will keep the bugs and mice out.. i just might have to keep it for myself when i get one!

[FishingNewEngland]

It's coming to be that time of year again! Go get 'em guys! The ice approaches!

[Iceassin]

Barley? As a filter material I've never used it. As a beer making material, all the time. 

My wife has used barley straw pellets in her fish pond for years. It adds a few nutrients to the water but the main function is to prevent algae. Will not get rid of existing algae though. She also has about a dozen bio balls in and onion sack that floats around in the pond and a carbon filter as well. She has not lost any fish and over a dozen frogs have also taken up residency over the years...can get a little loud at night outside our bedroom window ...

I prefer it in beer, too

[surflizard]

Great info..........Thanks.

Just wanted to bump this thread back up to the first page, I was thinking of starting a tank last year but never did. I have ordered the pump and now I am looking at buying a filter. 
I am going to use an old chest freezer because it is already insulated, going to keep it in my uninsulated garage.

Same plan here Rick, I was given a working 6' chest freezer, I have a pump filter combo and the water line bulkhead fittings should be done in a week or two. Good luck with yours, I will post pixs once she's up and running.

[rickl1968]

Hey Surf,
It's done...... I posted the pictures in the Guys with bait tanks thread!

[WildOutdoorAddict]

Me too here 's mine,,and I have a marineland 360 3 stage filter for it also..good for 100 gal. Oh, and I had a refrigerator control put in it so it doesn't freeze..just stays nice and cold..

[Wyofarmer]

Great thread! Tons of good info here. A buddy and I decided to start trapping/seining this year and think that we are on the verge of being in over our heads. We got 3 very large old chest freezers that don't work. given the info that we got from a friend that has trapped for 20 years, we are at approx. 3000 doz. We have just been changing the water every couple of days but I hate to keep doing that to the well. Would it be beneficial to just break down and buy a filtering system or would we be safe making our own with supplies from petco/petsmart? With almost $10K worth of minnows, I want to do what's best not cheapest. Thanks for any info!
Wyofarmer

[Iceholes]

WYofarmer, I would want to get some filtration on that many minnows ASAP!

[SPADED]

if it was me,i would caulk over the rust with some  clear or white silicone caulk... i know that its safe for fish because i have used it on my fishtanks in the house,and it would keep the rust from getting worse or contaminating water and will not peel off like paint might... interested to see what others ideas are though,thats just what i would do...and its cheap,about two bucks for a tube and you can use it around the house anyways!

[DasRottweiler]

Thought I would make a post here so as to direct some folks here. Lotsa baittank questions being asked that are answered here-Start from first page of thread and READ! Rott

[ftwchopper]

bioballs and a homemade rotating spraybar......

[rickl1968]

Great thread on keeping bait!