Adding A live Well

Stillrunning · #1 08-16-2007, 11:29 AM

I have finally figured out how to add a live well and want some opinion if this will work. I added a wash down several months ago and figured I could use the same pump for my live well. I was going to used a 5 gallon paint bucket and first wanted to know if it was big enough to keep small bait like ells and spot alive. I was going to add a quick disconect to the side of the bucket which I could plug the hose from the wash down into. Then i was going to add a fitting at the upper half of the bucket with an outer hose which I could stick into the drain **** where the bucket will sit in the back corner of the boat. I would cut an opening in the top of the buck for the access door which I will hing and add a latch. This is the only thing I could come up with as all my other storage is pretty much used up and a portable live well was my only option. So, does this sound like somethng that will work and will it be big enough to keep the bait alive? Thanks for any imput.

Blue_Runner · #2 08-16-2007, 11:36 AM

You could always just try the 5 gallon first and if it doesn't work out just find a bigger container and switch it out.

I used to have 2 of em that I got just by asking around. One was probably 20 inches diameter and 30 in. tall with a lid. The other was 30 in diameter and 18" tall.

I think the smaller one held some type of liquid and the other held some type of pellets or something.

Good luck and take pics 8) You might also consider one of those bubblers with the little blue stones. I think they help ALOT. Reel is the baittank man. I'm sure he can give some GOOD advice.

C YENSEN · #3 08-16-2007, 11:49 AM

I am headed to the boat tonight, I will take a pic of the one I made. ;)

Stillrunning · #4 08-16-2007, 12:04 PM

Thanks for the ideas. Do I need one of those bubble things if I have a pump? The reason I liked the 5 gallon bucket (it might be 6) is that it slides right into the rear corner of the boat between the splash well and the side of the boat. My V has the type of splash well which sticks out in the boat like the one Hammer cut out of his boat as seen three pics down
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/...6359;start=0#0
The bucket fits in nice right beside the splash well and I can stick the drain line right in the drain hole like you see to the right of his splash well. Also my wash down hose is mounted inside the right side of the splash well which I can just quick connect to the live well.

Blue_Runner · #5 08-16-2007, 12:33 PM

Well just to clarify - I'm not the expert - but allow me to think out loud...

Three things I'm thinking about.

1) clean water
2) water temperature
3) oxygen content

The pump could buy you 3 of the 3 in the cooler months. That is if you leave it running or put a timer switch in that will come on intermittently and replace the water (shouldn't take long with 5 gallons). But some of the baits might get sucked up to the outlet screen when the pump is running. ???

When its hot you would want to add ice. Occasionally to cool the water.

I think the bubbler would add more oxygen to the water and maybe keep the bait alive longer.

Let's just wait and see what Cy shows us and wait for Mr. 'apeelin to come along ;)

My short answer is "heck if I know?" ;D ::)

C YENSEN · #6 08-16-2007, 03:07 PM

mine is a fancy bucket with aerator in it that i wire to the battery while in use. no system for fresh water other that dumping it out and putting new in. used it last night though and it kept about 25 mullet and menhaden alive for over 4 hours :-/ ;D

i will get some pics tonight ;D

C YENSEN · #7 08-16-2007, 11:08 PM

well here is my $15 dollar live well ;)

started with a clear garbage can from Walmart and added a aerator. drilled some holes in the lid, extended the wires so it would reach the battery and filled her up with water. the only problem with mine is you have to hold the lid on and drain it once or twice and replace the water so the bait dont fry.

but last night it kept 30 mullet and menhaden alive for over 3 hours, almost 4. ;D

msbhammer · #8 08-16-2007, 11:28 PM

Good work there Chris. ;)

Stillrunning · #9 08-17-2007, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the pics. The one I was making would hook up to my wash down then have a over flow fittiing toward the top with a drain hose which I'm going to stick in my rear drain in my boat. This way I can pump freash water in as needed. I'll take some pics of how its made and try again to post them so far I have not had any luck posting pics.

Blue_Runner · #10 08-17-2007, 12:37 PM

Cool Cy! ;) :)