Bait tank

[ezgo]

I know how I will build it. My question is its a 55 gal drum will a rule 500 gph run it good. Also I am going to use two inch pvc for the filter, what type of media or filter and charcoal do you use. As for the charcoal what type or name is it. Also do you all run a aerator for back up. This is my first tank that I am going to make. This will hold minnows and in spring creek chubs. Thanks Guys.

[crappiemax]

Check at a pet store, I'm sure they have something fairly inexpensive.

[cricket george]

A 55 gallon drum will work fine for keeping 10 dozen minnows. I would suggest you build a bio - filter to remove the ammonia and digest the waste. I would also suggest you add aeration too. The 500 gph pump will recirculate the water fine but the water needs to be pumped thru a bio filter to process the waste.
If you do not want to build the filter then you need to exchange the water weekly to reduce the ammonia build up. I would suggest you add 3 ounces of rock salt to the barrel to promote the slime layer that may be removed from handling before you bought the minnows. In addition purchase some tetracycline from a feed store and add 1 tablespoon to the barrel. This is an antibiotic and will kill fungus and promote healing on the minnows skin. The rock salt should be added at each complete water change.

[Countryboy N.C.]

Originally Posted by cricket george

A 55 gallon drum will work fine for keeping 10 dozen minnows. I would suggest you build a bio - filter to remove the ammonia and digest the waste. I would also suggest you add aeration too. The 500 gph pump will recirculate the water fine but the water needs to be pumped thru a bio filter to process the waste.
If you do not want to build the filter then you need to exchange the water weekly to reduce the ammonia build up. I would suggest you add 3 ounces of rock salt to the barrel to promote the slime layer that may be removed from handling before you bought the minnows. In addition purchase some tetracycline from a feed store and add 1 tablespoon to the barrel. This is an antibiotic and will kill fungus and promote healing on the minnows skin. The rock salt should be added at each complete water change.

Ok. I got the filter and extra aeration , have not used no salt or antibiotic, had this tank going for about a year now, My question is.... how often should I change out the water? I used a deep freezer , 13 cubic foot, works good, I was changing the water about every 2 weeks but I got lazy have not change it in over a month now, I do clean the filter about once a week. No problems yet.

[ezgo]

Hey thanks guys for the input, got to shave the budget where you can, when I am laid off, but its ok should get back to work sometime just waiting on the union hall to call.

[cricket george]

Countryboy - Depending on how many minnows you are holding in the freezer then every 2 weeks may be fine for changing the water. I am holding approx 4 pounds of minnows (600) in a 3oo gallon poly tank. The tank has an over flow tube on it and aeration. I check the tank every day or so. The salt and antbiotic is a safe guard against rough handling by the dealers that allow infections to start. The tetracycline package costs around 5-6 bucks and I would recommend 2 tablespoons to be added. The antibiotic will break down in a few days but it has done its job. The tank is outdoors and has good wind action on it. I use the aeration occasionally to assist in the digestion of the waste. The old freezer is an ideal insulated holding tank. A friend of mine who raises minnows uses the freezer and it sits out in the hot Oklahoma summer sun. The water is cool during the summer and he has had no problems to my knowledge.

[sac-a-lait]

Here's one I built with pics. IT'S 55 Gal drum like you are asking about. It works great. I never changed the water all season BTW, just added to it 5 gal at a time.

Minnow tank by sac=-a-lait

[ezgo]

Originally Posted by sac-a-lait

Here's one I built with pics. IT'S 55 Gal drum like you are asking about. It works great. I never changed the water all season BTW, just added to it 5 gal at a time.

Minnow tank by sac=-a-lait

Sac, how did you make the internal parts to the filter, like how much batting and how much coal and about the coal do you get it from the pet shop, also what type of coal do you recomend, I am trying to take down the learning curve.