Need Help with Bait Tank

[Outdorsmen]

  Hey guys, I have a 75 gal. stock tank that I'm using for a bait tank. I bought the sponge filters that pull air and water through to clean and keep the water moving. All that seems to work well. After three weeks the water gets real dirty and the bait isn't as lively. The area is cold, so the water is at 50 or below. My question is there an easy way to keep the water clean without buying the expensive filters?? I have city water so I have to bucket in from local stream to change out?

[4426]

not sure what type of filter your using and i don't have a bait tank but I do have a few fish tanks with pond fish in them that are kept at 50 or below as well. Just stuff your filter with nylon pot scrubbers and have a separate aerator. This setup works great for me and will keep your water crystal clear. Honestly i have only did one water change since i got the fish tanks a year ago and i would not say it was necessary. Just rinse the pot scrubbers off in water to get all of the growth off of them as needed and your tank should be fine. Also for that much water I would buy a canister filter, but use the scrubbers in it and you should be fine. This way you only need to invest in the filter itself and never have to replace any cartridges which get expensive. Also make sure you have sufficient aeration. Hope I helped.
ps: only use the plastic(nylon) pot scrubbers, metal ones will leech out in to the water
pot scrubbers that i bought:   http://www.amazon.com/Lola-380-Plastic-Scourer-36-Pack/dp/B007YPSM72
you can usually get them at the dollar store as well, over time they will unwrap but just wrap them back up and throw them back in the filter

[rockhound57]

If the dirtyness is from fish droppings, you probably have an ammonia issue, start by syphoning off as much of the piles as possible, and add 10-15 gallons fresh water. The colder you can keep the tank, the slower their metabolism gets, slowing down how fast they foul the water. You may end up needing to set up a "bio-filter" system; and it may need to draw from the bottom, to pick up some of the 'stuff'. Other folks have described them here, but I am not familiar with them, mine are held in a tiny brook in back of my house. I wouldn't hesitate to throw in ice blocks or cuttings from your auger to help chill the water.

[Outdorsmen]

  Thanks for the advice.  I will try and change out 20 gal. a week. Also picked up a pump to clean the bottom.  The water is about 50. I think the changing some of the water each week will do the trick!!! Checked on bio filters at the local pet supply and those can get pricey!! Thanks again for the pointers!

[JIGGIN-]

try to get your water cooler than 50f.....also dont feed them.

If your water is at 50f and you take them out in colder conditions, they will die from sudden water temp changes.

[yellowdog4me]

There is some great bait tank info including a DIY gravity bio filter. Look in the "community" section under Ice fishing baits and tatics. There are two threads by Freshbait with some good info as well as some older ones could help you out both with your waste and water quality problems. Also be sure to read the cycling your tank thread.

[jerrife]

X2 on changing out some of the water once a week

[yellowdog4me]

Sorry, I should have checked before posting. Look under the "Community" section near top of page & go to the "Ice Fishing Tips" section and look for " Ice Fishing Live Baits & Plastics" all sorts of good bait tank info stuff here.

[Outdorsmen]

try to get your water cooler than 50f.....also dont feed them.

If your water is at 50f and you take them out in colder conditions, they will die from sudden water temp changes.

Don't feed them?? I was told once a week with blood worm squares small amount. Will they be lively enough without food?  The colder the water the better... I was thinking of this, freeze some milk jugs and rotate them in and out of the tank??? Is that a good idea or will the jugs freak the fish out?  The local guy told me that they shed a clear looking film when they get stressed out and that's what Im seeing in my bucket?? Seems like I have a lot of that in the water!!!

[bassranger]

You can buy the Bio filter bags at a pet store. They come filled with different types of stone like material each made for a certain purpose. If you could some how rig them up it may help with keeping it clean. I have a big canister filter that takes these types of bags and they work well. Also like others said do not feed and try and get your water down between 38-42 degree's

[FirstTimer1311]

Good filters work wonders but I hve found that the flowing water is th best way to keep water clear!

[JIGGIN-]

Don't feed them?? I was told once a week with blood worm squares small amount. Will they be lively enough without food?  The colder the water the better... I was thinking of this, freeze some milk jugs and rotate them in and out of the tank??? Is that a good idea or will the jugs freak the fish out?  The local guy told me that they shed a clear looking film when they get stressed out and that's what Im seeing in my bucket?? Seems like I have a lot of that in the water!!!

If you feed them, they poop. Poop is bad and creates ammonia. Then you need ammonia chips and a really good filter system.
I don't feed my suckers nor shiners however I have them in a pond too. When I did have a tank at the house, I never fed them and kept the water / tank outside with a 100 watt light bulb on the lid to keep it from freezing (tank wrapped in insulation).
It's tough having a tank and much easier in a pond but I feel for you. Change the water as you need to but if you keep it cold and not feed them, you'll find you wont need to change the water as often.
Sometimes I wonder if it's really worth having a tank for the amount of work that goes into it, electricity, pumps, supplies etc...  vs. the price of a dozen or so shiners....but then again, it can be fun too, depends on how much bait you use I suppose to see if it is economical or not.
Always nice to go out early in the am when the bait shops aren't open yet, scoop out your own bait, then head out and catch fish on them.
Real bait shops open early anyways, you know who they are.

Just my thoughts.......good luck! Keep us posted.

[perch_slayer]

for my bait tank i just use an electric bubbler

[StingingLips]

try some finer shinner. I just started loosing it this year and have had the least amount of deaths this year then I ever have without doing anything different. ive probably only lost 13 out of 400 that ive had in there for over a month and a half. the ones that maybe only 4 or 5 were actually dead. the others were just swimming weird, probably from going head on with the side of the tank.

[rockhound57]

there have been some good bait threads on the Maine page, including how to build your own bio filter. When I read them, it sounded fairly inexpensive and simple. I do agree with other comments, though- you need to get the temp down if possible. I figure, the closer to freezing they are, the less they'll move, eat, poop, and lose weight

[Dispy]

Poohey to bio balls and filters. I do not run pumps all winter after water temps get to below 40 degrees..just recirc your water....Rule of Thumb is to have a pump capacity of 3-5 times your tank gallon capacity. I do believe we have had this topic on the NH boards 4 times this year. Remember..google can be your best friend and there is no such thing as short term satisfaction.....