First time Livewell user Questions

[Bucketmouth King]

Hi guys. Im sure some of you will find this hilarious, but after searching the web i still haven't found my answer so i have to ask. I've never used my livewell before, and i just replaced all the hoses, clamps, and aerator pump, as well as the flowrite valve. I would like to get a general understanding of its operation  before use and so i dont swamp my boat! 

My fill and drain are both the same hose at the bottom of the well, with a flowrite manual open close valve. The aerator pumps in surface water for oxygen. If the tank overfills, it exits via the overfill drain towards the top of the well. Is this correct? 

My question is, and this may sound silly, i open the fill valve until its full, then close the valve, correct? Otherwise, water will keep coming until i sink? Or do i leave it open and the overfill drain prevents that? 

 

[Smokinal]

What's the year, make and model? And is it still the factory layout?

[Bucketmouth King]

86 Winner tournament. Yes, still the factory layout. 

[Ski213]

I don't know your specific setup.  If what you're calling the aerator pump brings in fresh water rather than recirculating the water in the well then I think you would close the valve and turn on the pump(s) to fill. You're correct in that the overflow will (assuming its not blocked) prevent the livewells from overflowing.  Opening the valve will only allow the water level in the well to reach a level equal to the waterline on the boat. I'd. Imagine you'd have to use the pumps to fill completely. 

 

Again I don't know the exact setup you have. Is the aerator pump on a timer or is it just on off?  If there aren't any recirculating pumps. I'd think the procedure would be close the valves, turn on the pumps to fill.  Once its full just turn the pumps off. When you start putting fish in the well either set the timer to refresh the water based on the conditions or if there isn't a timer  manually turn it off and on while you have fish on board. 

[WIGuide]

On 1/7/2016 at 8:01 AM, Bucketmouth King said:

My fill and drain are both the same hose at the bottom of the well, with a flowrite manual open close valve. The aerator pumps in surface water for oxygen. If the tank overfills, it exits via the overfill drain towards the top of the well. Is this correct? 

That sounds correct for the design of your system. Unfortunately now that you've replaced everything, you livewell setup could use a bit of an update. Many boats take advantage of a spray bar or venturi fitting to help oxygenate the water in the livewell. The cheapest way to make that work is by using the flowrite V2 valve as it doesn't require any additional pumps, only the extra livewell fitting and some hose. It is similar to your on/off valve, but it will slowly mix in fresh water once it's full to help prevent ammonia build up, but it recirculates current livewell water and re-oxgynates it. The valve also automatically closes when your boat is on plane so your pumps don't suck in air and burn themselves out if you're running down the lake. I'm not sure if you're planning on keeping a lot of fish in there or not, but if you do it might be worth the upgrade. Here's more info on the flowrite systems. https://flow-rite.com/sites/all/files/file/pdf-marine/prod-livewell_control_systems.pdf

My question is, and this may sound silly, i open the fill valve until its full, then close the valve, correct? Otherwise, water will keep coming until i sink? Or do i leave it open and the overfill drain prevents that? 

Water won't keep coming in until you sink if you leave the valve open. Depending on your hull, it most likely will not even fill all the way without turning the pump on. The majority of the livewell will be above the water line of the lake, so without the pump to push the water in it won't break gravity's rules and fill up. 

 

[Bucketmouth King]

Thank you! That was very helpful! 

Next, any idea where i can get a timer for my aerator?  Its basically off or on right now. And i definitely dont want to keep turning it off and on, nor do i want it running steady draining the batteries.  

[tander]

I know BPS has them and you might check Academy.

[tntitans21399]

I think Bass Pro and Academy Sports has a timer switch. 

One thing to remember about the live well during the summer is it will start to get warmer and dirty from the fish so it's good to have it add fresh water every so often. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WRB]

You will not sink your boat if you have a auto bilge pump. If you don't fish tournements your livewells should stay dry, no reason to fill them and stress bass for the sake of ego, release them.

If you need the livewells add 1/2 cup or 8 oz of over the counter 3% hydrogen peroxide liquid to 15 gallon of water, that will oxygenate the bass for about 8 hours.

Tom

[WIGuide]

You can pick up a timer for you aerator just about anywhere they sell marine accessories. I think I've even seen some at Walmarts. You might want to test out your boat first though. If you livewell doesn't stay full or at least enough water to keep the fish in when you livewell valve is open and pump is off, there's really no advantage of putting in a timer. The reason being is that the valve is behind the pump, so if you close the valve to keep the livewell full the pump can't get water to pump into the livewell without you opening the valve. Even though the pump would turn on with the timer, you'd still have to run back and switch the livewell valve open. 

If it does hold enough water for fish though with the valve open and pump off then you can go ahead and add one. You'll just have to remember to shut it off and close the livewell valve when you move from spot to spot so all your water doesn't drain out and so that your pump doesn't burn itself out.