Livewell question during tourneys

[LEWITH]

My current livewell only has a pump fresh water in feature not a circulate feature found on most boats now days.  My question is how often do you supposed I should be pumping fresh water in to cool the water as well as areate? I wont be able to run it 8hrs straight during the tourney or my battery would likely die.  What are you guys suggestions for keeping the fish healthy under these circumstances?

[bigbasshunter]

Frozen bottles of water and a small 12v air bubbler. Once you get your first fish, fill livewell and add a frozen bottle. This will keep the temp 5-10° below lake water temps and slow the metabolism and activity of the fish. You shouldn't have to keep adding water.

2 gatoraid bottles should keep you cool for an 8-10hr tournament, once it gets in 90° air temps I'll carry 4 frozen bottles just in case.

[Bucky205]

You could get a livewell timer from BPS for under $50.  You run your power wire between the timer and whatever you wan't to cycle.  You can set it to off, continuous, 1,3 or 7 minute cycles.  Each on cycle last for 1 minute.  I helped a friend do one and it works very well.  You can use it on a 12V aerator, or to cycle your main pump.  I would probably put it on an aerator. just so it was functional out of the water The frozen bottles really help as well.  He and I crappie fish sometimes and I've seen him keep minnows in his livewell for several days.

[WRB]

You should check the livewell water temps and during the summer keep the water in the mid 70's, frozen 1 pint plastic bottles of water work good.

Aeration is needed when bass are in the livewell, 8 oz ( 1cup) of over the counter 3% hydrogen peroxide to 15 gallons of water (average livewell size) will keep the DO level good for a few hours in an emergency. Adding surface lake water will add DO but raise the water temps. Using a 12V battery operated Livebait areation system also keeps The DO level up without adding surface lake water. Areation every 20 to 30 minutes for 5 minutes keeps the DO level up without running the system all the time.

Sure-Life Catch & Release should be added when you fill the livewell, check their site for livewell management vedio's.

Tom

[frogflogger]

Bottles of frozen water and salt are all I've ever used and I can't remember losing a fish due to the livewell performance.

[RichF]

I'd get a better battery honestly.  Once a fish goes in my livewell, the pumps stay on the rest of the day.  I don't have recirc in my boat either.  I switch them to auto which pumps in fresh water for 1 minute every 10 mins.  It works incredibly well.