Shiner Maintenance

[mullinsb2000]

Had a 40-gallon barrel minnow vat. It was portable, filled with lake water, and 2 aeration stones. Tried keeping between 2 and 3 pounds of crappie shiners alive, OUTDOORS, month of January. Hand episode of shiner kill. Put an aquarium heater in. Kept temp around 50 degrees. Got through the month, and traveling back home, someone decided to help themselves, the heavy barrel, and pumps, power cords, etc. gone.

So, first question. Does tank need to be insulated if outdoors, winter in Texas. What details should I follow, going forward meaning, temperature care of shiners.

Will be replacing minnow vat with DIY or purchase manufactured bait well. Crappie.com folks' advice is highly appreciated. Recommendations please

[jigflinger]

Is the tank meant to be portable or stationary? Shiners don't care how cold the water is. It can be frozen as long as the air stones are functioning. I used an old bath tub for several years. You will need something that can withstand freezing(or use the heater) and hold at least 15 gallons of water. You could keep 5# in that amount of water at 55 degrees, if you wanted. You didn't say what you are treating them with. I would recommend Finer Shiner at the label rate. Get some non-iodized salt and use about a third of a cup when you change water. Mix the Finer Shiner and salt in a bucket and add it to the tank. That will insure that it is dissolved.

I forgot to answer your first question. No the tank does not need to be insulated.
Now, go fishin'.

[Jamesdean]

Man, Sorry someone decided they needed your set-up worse than you did. That totally sucks...I would agree with jigflinger. Minnows in nature don't have any heat except the sun. I would say no to the insulation unless your getting large amounts of really thick ice.

[mullinsb2000]

Tank is carried to fish camp, annually. then set up outside, on porch. Purchased 3 lbs of shiners and use lake water. Should i still used salt and finer shiner product?

[mullinsb2000]

Thanks for Your Service to OUR country. Retired USAF... 26 years

[jigflinger]

You probably won't need salt or finer shiner if you are using lake water. Just regular water changes should keep your shiners frisky. An old cooler would make a perfect holding tank for your purpose. For 3# of shiners a cooler with 7 to 10 gallons of water should be sufficient.

[Ketchn]

Tank is carried to fish camp, annually. then set up outside, on porch. Purchased 3 lbs of shiners and use lake water. Should i still used salt and finer shiner product?

you might consider a 5 to 10 gallon "holding" tank with a lock on the lid and a lock on the chain and just get the minnows when you get there and let mother natures best ever aquarium take care of them , it is pretty common to see minnow buckets tied up all over the place in these parts with no attendant .
1 less fuss
2 already acclimated to the lake you are dunking them in
just a thought my friend

[scrat]

I use to keep minnows in a 5 gallon bucket with lid by drilling a whole lot of holes in the bucket and lid with a little weight and sinking it just under the water surface they stayed alive pretty good

[MCG1]

Sounds like who ever took your set-up should have to ask about "shiner" maintenance!

[mullinsb2000]

Following up. I purchased 2 food barrels (you know the blue plastic ones). A 30-gallon which is intended for portable use on porch, filled with lake water. Asking for recommendations of specific size, manufacturer name, model, and size of aquarium style filtration/pump. figure to let it run 24/7 and change lake water every 7 days. I could build and insulated cabinet pretty easily, if y'all think it is a good idea. Am I over thinking this deal?
2nd barrel (20-gallon) to be storage for additional shiners. Locked, submerged, in lake. as previously suggested, let mother nature care for shiners, and a back-up should any issues with porch shiner vat occur.