Bait tank kills bait

erichinsocal · Oct-26-2009, 12:03 PM

I've got an Aquaworld UltraTank UTP-13gal. It's hooked to a 500gph pump i've tried to vary the rate of water but it continues to kill the bait any ideas

**Saluki** · Oct-26-2009, 12:11 PM

Maybe you're putting too much bait in it?
13 gallon can handle 1/2 scoop at the very most.

Stanley · Oct-26-2009, 12:13 PM

6-8 minutes to fill tank. Any quicker is too much flow...any slower is not enough flow.

shinerunner · Oct-26-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley

6-8 minutes to fill tank. Any quicker is too much flow...any slower is not enough flow.

yep

Bottom Line · Oct-26-2009, 12:15 PM

500 gph is too much water for a 13 gal tank - try a 360 and you should be fine. I run a 500 on my 22 gal and it's just right.

SeaHawk IV · Oct-26-2009, 02:22 PM

It sounds like you are on the right track in troubleshooting. Give us more details because your question is too vague.

Where is the bait tank located on the boat? Typically, the further back toward the stern the less chances of the bait sloshing. Is the bait sloshing around in the tank (bait will appear bruised and/or lose scales)? If so, slow down or relocate the tank. Do you use anything to wash the tank interior? I only use fresh water and let it air dry.

gonzo25 · Oct-26-2009, 03:21 PM

I use a beer keg that I modified to fit in my boat, so it holds a little more than it originally did… probably about as much as what you have. I get a half scoop of bait all the time and have no problem keeping it alive, anchovies are no problem either. I have an 800 gph pump, it does have a valve so I can control the flow, and to be honest I can’t remember how long it took to fill the tank, but I knew with that much bait and little of space I had to have good flow. My inlet consists of a tube around the bottom of the tank with holes going in every direction so it won’t create a current for the bait to swim with or against and that has worked real well for me. I think that is the problem with to much water flow, either your bait fights it or swims to fast with it and if it doesn’t kill itself, it wears them out so they don’t swim well. If you don’t have a valve to control the water flow, put one in. time how long it takes to fill the tank, if it is with the times these guys gave you, check the flow…. Does it create a current? If it does try to defuse it so it doesn’t and see if that helps. And slow down, bait get killed more from getting beat up than anything else, IMO. Good luck, nothing better than having good bait. See ya on the water.