My New Minnow Tank

[Kenny Borel]

Very cool project!!! Do you mail order minnows or do you buy locally in bulk?? Not many local bait shops around here and dont know IF they even would sell in bulk at a reasonable savings. Thanks for the play by play thru this project!!

[Andy1270]

Very cool project!!! Do you mail order minnows or do you buy locally in bulk?? Not many local bait shops around here and dont know IF they even would sell in bulk at a reasonable savings. Thanks for the play by play thru this project!!

I have a bait shop about 20 miles from my home that sells minnows by the pound for $13. That looks like around 500-600 minnows.

[Kenny Borel]

Did you make up the bulkhead connectors from parts on that website? I know the threaded hose adapters are separate, but didn't see a bulkhead connector that looks like yours. Is it 2 bulkheads connected by a nipple? Thanks in advance!!

[Andy1270]

Did you make up the bulkhead connectors from parts on that website? I know the threaded hose adapters are separate, but didn't see a bulkhead connector that looks like yours. Is it 2 bulkheads connected by a nipple? Thanks in advance!!

Hi Kenny,

Regarding the bulkhead fitting(s).... I'm including a picture for reference so I hope it will help. This part was a bit complicated since a single bulkhead fittings wouldn't work for the thickness of the freezer wall. So I took 4qty- 1" bulkhead fittings (slip x thread). Then on 2 of the fittings, I used a hacksaw to cut the flange part off. Then I inserted a simple 1" pvc pipe section and glued to the slip side of each. This basically "extended" the ability of the bulkhead fitting. The other sides are threaded for the flexible hose on each side.
When tightening the fitting on the output line, I noticed the freezer wall was "giving", so I strengthened it with a stainless steel 4 duplex outlet cover. I simply drilled it to size with a hole saw. I've included pictures from both sides of the finished installation of the output fitting. It's important that you use the rubber insert and also that the hole drilled is squared well to the freezer wall for a good waterproof fitting.

I made 2 of these for both the input and output lines to the freezer from/to the pump.

I hope this helps!

[Andy1270]

I have a bait shop about 20 miles from my home that sells minnows by the pound for $13. That looks like around 500-600 minnows.

I should say too that the minnows I get are on the small size. That's why there are so many in the pound that I buy.

[Rees Guide]

Any idea how big that freezer is?? You may have posted it earlier and I missed it, if so sorry.

[Kenny Borel]

Thanks Andy!! Looked like you had to "put something together". Thanks for the thorough explanation. My chest freezer is getting a little old. Looks like I may have to "retire" it and get a new one. LOL Thanks for sharing!!!

[slabbandit]

Thanks Andy! That's absolutely the best looking minnow tank project I have ever seen here or anywhere. My friend just got a place on Lake Nimrod where I live. It has about an 8x16 insulated concrete block well house on a slab. We have had very good luck in this area using fresh well water in our tanks and minnow buckets. He also has a freezer about the same size as your's. I don't know if it runs any more though.
We are fortunate that He only works about 20 minutes away from Anderson's Minnow Farm in Lonoke AR. We have to buy the minimum 6 lb order but we can go by and pick them up directly and they will let you mix them up. Example, 2 lbs Rosey Reds, 2 lbs #6's, and 2 lbs of #8's (my favorite). The great part is that these minnows are right out of the ponds and on 100% oxygen and only cost about 4 bucks a pound!
I will definately be looking at you project and following you're posts and may have a question from time to time. We'll even split the cost of a new small chest freezer if we can't find a working one.
Thanks for the posts!

[Andy1270]

Any idea how big that freezer is?? You may have posted it earlier and I missed it, if so sorry.

it's a 7 cubic foot* model from Frigidaire. It had been sitting in my basement for the last 10 years unused, so it wasn't a difficult sell to the wife to "recycle" it for another use.

* 7 cubic feet equals around 52 gallon capacity.

[Rees Guide]

Thanks, got one I can get a hold of and was wondering about the size.
Very cool project.