How to Aerate a Bait Tank

[argonautical]

I have set up a live bait tank in an old esky. I bought a kit from Whitworths which is essentially a bilge pump with a bit of conduit that rises about 15 cms vertically from the outlet and has a spray head at the top of the conduit. The whole set-up is self-contained, I don't pump any water in from outside, it simply is designed to aerate the water.

The problem I have is that fish scales from the live bait clog up the spray head and eventually stop it working. I have a piece of stainless mesh at the bottom of the bilge pump to act as a filter but is doesn't work.

I figure if I cut off the top of the conduit and replace it with some sort of u-bend that directs the water straight back down into the esky it should provide sufficient aeration.

Will this be effective or is there a better way of doing it. I don't really want to have to plumb the arrangement and pump in fresh seawater if I can help it. I mostly fish at night and do not need to keep the bait alive for longish periods.

argo

[Drop_Bear]

I have a battery powered aerator. It has an air stone like the one's in an aquarium.

This is the third one I have owned as they are cheaply built and corrode.

It works well though.

[NeilD]

You can get foam prefilters that fit small Rule pumps. The one I have seen came as part of a live bait tank but replacement parts should be able to be purchased seperatly. The important thing is circulation and breaking waters surface tension and this can be done without a spraybar. The system a mate bought recently has an aquarium air tube feeding the base of the pump and it blows a lot of tiny bubbles into the water.
Failing that an old piece of stocking keeps the scales out of the system

Cheers Neil

[argonautical]

Drop_Bear,

Yeah I have one of those battery aerator pumps. I use it in the esky when I am cast netting and can't access a battery for the bilge pump.

NeilD.

It is a "Rule" pump, so I will see if I can get a foam filter for it. If not will try the stocking approach. Couple of good tips.

Thanks to both of you for your replies.

argo

[reefraider_II]

he argo .I have a bilgepump outside my boat it pumps water from out side the boat to a large square bucket.It stands about 80 cm.It is a plastic bin bought from kmart.It also has a drain about 3/4 up the bin that drains .So while i am out the bilge automatically fills and drains the bin at the same time

[argonautical]

Reefraider_II,

I was trying to avoid that type of set-up, but I think it is probably the best way of doing it. I assume you have a hose that runs from the drain back over the side of the boat and into the water.

argo