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From AlCOAST WEB SITE 7-1-02
I saw
some posts on bait tank fill time so knowing that it is just about the time when
this question starts coming up in the form of numerous phone calls I think this
might answer some questions.
Question: "Hey, my bait doesn't seem to last too long, how fast should my tank
take to fill." That question has several answers and explanations. If I could
invent a bait tank that would fill in 3 seconds and have no turbulence I would
have done it, but a 3 second fill time would create something like a Jacuzzi
effect. Way back when I heard that if you fill a tank too fast you can over
oxygenate the water. If anyone ever tells you that look them straight in the
eye and tell them they are full of it. Oxygen or O2 is held in water and
measured by its saturation level. This is the amount of O2 that can saturate in
water, or become soluble in water. The saturation level is normally measured in
PPM (parts per million) and as a percentage. The saturation level for O2 in
freshwater at 80F is approx. 8.1ppm at sea level. At higher altitudes, it
decreases. The best you can do is to reach 100% O2 saturation -- to get more O2
requires a pressurized reactor.
If you are fishing in water that is say 70% saturated you will never exceed that
70% no matter how much water you pump through the tank as long as the saturation
level stays the same. What is important though is turbulence, current,
direction and pressure. Although turbulence or too strong a current in a tank
is not desirable, neither is depleted oxygen (O2)
content nor the build up of ammonium from fish excretions.
Why I would love a tank that filled in 3 seconds with no turbulence, pressure
and had good direction with minimal pressure is that the tank would stay crystal
clear, O2 levels would never fall and ammonium (fish excisions) would be non
existent. Of course this is not possible so we settle for what is. I get asked
the question "how fast should I fill the tank that I just made. My answer on a
home made tank is normally 7 to 8 1/2 min., yet on a Kodiak or Aqua World tank I
will recommend 4 to 6 min with 3 min not really a problem except with very weak
bait. The difference is the Kodiak Tank uses a full baffle system and the aqua
world tank has a series of holes in which water can flow into the tank vs a
single inlet fitting used mostly on home made tanks. The single inlet fitting
produces a high pressure spot that will descale some bait and if positioned at
the bottom it will stir up the scales and debris that normally settle to the
bottom. The Kodiak Baffled system is also directional in that the slots are cut
at an angle to provide for a directional water flow or current over the water
column of the tank. Most Fiberglass tanks also provide a baffled inlet but are
not directionally cut.
Cold water holds more O2 than hot water so when you head south toward Baja where
it is not unusual to have water above 87 degrees in the summer increase your
flow but be cautious of turbulence and pressure as hot water also produces bait
that is not as hardy, lethargic and loses scales faster than bait in cold
water. One way to control the flow on your tank is to simply add an inline PVC
ball valve. I tend to stay away from using marine washdown valves such as the
chrome brass ones most boat mfgs use as they are very restrictive with small
port openings and definitely don't use the little garden hose splitters or ball
valves that have the little (3/4" long) handle sold at the home and garden
stores. The opening in the ball is less than 3/8" on most of them.
So next time you turn on your bait pump check out your fill time. It is the
time from the moment you turn on your pump to the time that your overflow outlet
starts to run water out of it. If it is way to slow check for kinked hoses and
restrictive water fittings or you may have to go to the next size pump. If all
else fails and you still can't keep a chovie alive by the time you hit the
breakwater maybe you should stick with plastics, (kidding). The easiest way to
find out is ask the boaters at the ramp at the end of the day how there bait did
and go from there. This time of the year the water starts to get warmer, the
bait is never allowed time to cure as it is sold faster than they can catch it
and the dines grow to gigantic proportions. Some days you can't keep it alive
no matter what you do.
If you would like more info on keeping bait alive go to my web site at
http://livebaitlarry.com/tech_info.htm
and you will find a lot of interesting articles on the subject written by the
pros.
ALSO IF YOU NEED A GREAT PRICE ON A BAIT TANK OR PUMP AND NOW ALSO BOAT SEATING,
LEANING POSTS AND FIGHTING CHAIRS. Click on
www.livebaitlarry.com
or stop by in Simi Valley if you are in the area or call me at 805 583-0373.
Live Bait Larry
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