“Advice Please”

[Bilterra]

Hey guys, I’ve got a new Igloo cooler that I’d like to convert to a bait tank. Outside of aerator and filter, what else is needed? Are there any chemicals in new cooler materials that can harm minnows or need to treat?

Thanks for any input!!!

[Lund]

Hey guys, I’ve got a new Igloo cooler that I’d like to convert to a bait tank. Outside of aerator and filter, what else is needed? Are there any chemicals in new cooler materials that can harm minnows or need to treat?

Thanks for any input!!!

How long are you planning to keep the minnows? A day or week or more?
Just give the cooler a typical wash to clean and rinse and should be good. I have never treated a bait

[DockShootinJack]

If you are using tap water you can use the water conditioner for aquariums that removes chlorine and makes the water safe. As long as they stay cool, have kept them for months using aquarium filters to clean the water

[Bilterra]

Thx guys…it’s gotten nearly impossible to find decent minnows near me if they can be found at all. I can get good quality and buy by the # about 1-1/2 hrs from me. I figure I’ll come out ahead if I can buy bulk and hopefully keep healthy for 3-4 weeks.…cooler is 150 gal. Just wasn’t sure if the plastic may have something in it that would kill them. I don't have livescope and, so far haven’t had enough success with jigs to make the switch. Did buy some lighter heads this past weekend…1/32-3/32’s. Haven’t tried yet but hoping the lighter heads will make a difference. New to learning this crappie game and had only used 1/8 heads to this point.

thanks again guys!

[DockShootinJack]

I used to keep a tank full when I worked nights. I would grab a bucket full and go catch fish. They were a lot livelier than the ones I could get at the bait shop. They really caught the fish