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Charles
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Username: Charles

Post Number: 69
Registered: 7-2004

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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I curious how ya'll manage your live wells. Do you fill it when you get to the lake? Do you recirculate or arate (sp)and how often? Give me some Live well management advice?
Dang'it Rudey,Greg and mike look like ooompa loompas from Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory up against Charles !!!!
Audra
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Username: Audra

Post Number: 93
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

We don't usually turn ours on until we start catching fish we are going to keep. Once we turn it on, we leave it on the whole time.
Charles
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Username: Charles

Post Number: 71
Registered: 7-2004

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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 12:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Do you leave it on Airate or recirculate?
Dang'it Rudey,Greg and mike look like ooompa loompas from Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory up against Charles !!!!
Rudey
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Username: Rudey

Post Number: 62
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 12:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

It depends on the circumstances. The main reason for a livewell and it's aeration system is to keep oxygen in the water for the fish to survive. Several things can affect the oxygen level in drastic ways. One, the hotter it is, the less oxygen the water will hold and the faster it will dissipate. At these times, I would run the live well way more often than say I would in February. I would open the drain and continue adding fresh water on a regular basis, also. The recirc feature is great when making a run across the lake, etc, because it helps add oxygen back to the water, and you're not draining you battery at all since your motor is running (battery maintenance can be important, right?! :-O). When you say "aerator or recirc", I'm assuming you have some sort of air pump system in your livewell? I've never had one of those, but I'm assuming it will accomplish the same thing as recirc, and that is putting more oxygen back into the water. And, again, you could use it while making a run.

Another thing that affects the oxygen level drastically is the number of fish. They deplete it rapidly, and also add their own filth into the water, which in turn produces ammonia which kills fish. The more fish you have, the more often you need to add fresh water from the lake rather than continuing to recirc.

It's all a case by case basis. But just remember that you can't over aerate them. This is especially important in tournies where you dang sure don't need the dead fish deductions.
Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.
Audra
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Username: Audra

Post Number: 94
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 12:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I belive we just have an on/off switch. You can put the plug in the bottom, and turn it on. It does have an overflow, so that when it's on (constantly pouring fresh water into the well) it will drain out when it reaches a certain point. So, I guess, it's actually replacing the water every so often.
Rudey
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Username: Rudey

Post Number: 63
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 12:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

If your overflow drain can keep up with the fresh water input, that is an excellent way to keep fish very fresh and frisky, Audra!

(Message edited by rudey on August 23, 2004)
Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.
Audra
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Username: Audra

Post Number: 95
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 1:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I know from time to time, it will start to run over a little. We just turn it off for about 5 minutes, then it does fine again.
"Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths." - Jimmy D Moore
Les
Minnow
Username: Les

Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2004

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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 1:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Dang, Rudey.. You sure sound like a bass pro...

I had a oxygen system in my live wells I ran during the hot summer months during my tournament days. I also would run the aeration system full time when the water hit the 80's. I also would buy block ice, and put chunks of ice in the water to keep the water temp down. In all the years I fished bass tournaments, I weighed two dead fish at weigh in.. And one of those (a six pounder from Toledo Bend) was about dead when I got it in the boat!! I think it had a heart attack!!
Picou
Bluegill
Username: Picou

Post Number: 212
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 1:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Battery issues really suck...
Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
Les
Minnow
Username: Les

Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2004

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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 1:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I never had a problem with the battery. I always kept it in top condition.

And Rudey.. How long ago was that profile picture taken???
Charles
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Username: Charles

Post Number: 72
Registered: 7-2004

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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 1:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post


quote:

Battery issues really suck...




Not when someone has your back! It's when the dumbass floods the motor:-)
Dang'it Rudey,Greg and mike look like ooompa loompas from Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory up against Charles !!!!
Charles
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Username: Charles

Post Number: 73
Registered: 7-2004

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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 1:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks for the suggestions.

My live well has a switch to pump water in, pump water out, recirculate and aerate. It also has a knob, that's will empty the tank or keep water in.

So,if I understand ya'll correctly, I should aerate all the time and recirculate often?
Dang'it Rudey,Greg and mike look like ooompa loompas from Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory up against Charles !!!!
Javelin
Minnow
Username: Javelin

Post Number: 21
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 4:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

If you want to keep your fish alive I highly suggest using BASSMEDICS. It is a granular product similar too but far superior to please release me. I have been using it for two years and have only lost three fish since. Before I would loose a couple a month. Also when the water is over 80 degrees be sure to add some ice to it. Be sure not too cool it too much (over 10 degrees) or the fish will go into shock. This will help calm the fish as well as allow the water to hold more disolved O2. About midway through the day it is a good idea to drain the livewell and put fresh water in because ammonia starts to build. I also run my aeriator for 15 min every 15 minutes.

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