How to Set Up a Bait Aquarium

Bait shops and aquarium hobbyists with large, predatory fish both need bait aquariums. In bait shops, these usually consist of a large, galvanized steel or plastic, oval feed trough, a submersible pump and filter system, and a bubble curtain or tube for improved aeration. These troughs are usually deep enough that covers are not needed, except perhaps a sheet of screen or net to prevent dust and debris from settling into the tank. Home hobbyists with small pets may want to use a cover, however, to prevent their pet from falling into the tank or from attempting to catch and eat the bait fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Galvanized steel or plastic feed trough, with 10 gallons of water capacity for every half-pound of bait fish you intend to keep
  • Submersible pump and filter kit
  • 2-inch diameter PVC pipe, length of your trough
  • Two 2 1/8-inch diameter PVC end caps
  • Plumber's cement
  • Power drill with 1/8-inch drill bit
  • ½-inch diameter, clear plastic air line
  • Aquarium heater
  • Aquarium water test kit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill 1/8-inch-diameter holes along the length of the 2-inch diameter PVC pipe. Cap each end of the pipe using plumber's cement. Drill a 1/2-inch diameter hole in one end cap.

    • 2

      Place submersible pump on the trough bottom and attach ½-inch-diameter air line to pump. Insert one end of the air line into the ½-inch hole in the PVC cap. Fill the trough with water to eight inches below the rim. Prime the submersible pump by filling the filter chamber with water until it overflows. Plug pump into a GFCI outlet.

    • 3

      Circulate the water for seven to 10 days before adding any fish. Use instant water treatments to balance the pH, establish beneficial bacteria cultures and eliminate chlorine. Adjust water temperature using an aquarium heater.

    • 4

      Ask the merchant to test his tank water pH, ammonia level, nitrate and nitrite levels in front of you if he is unable to tell you the parameters of the tank where the fish are currently housed. If the merchant is keeping his tank at a higher or lower pH than your tank, your fish could go into shock even if you took the time to equalize the water temperature before releasing new fish into the tank. Float bags of bait fish in the tank for several hours to equalize the water temperature. Loosen the bag opening without letting the water out, allowing fish to swim out of the bag and into the tank at their own pace. Discard the water from the bag. Give fish a few days to acclimate to the tank. If you are a bait shop owner with a high or middle-demand stock turnover rate, your bait tank will only need a few large rocks or artificial plants for fish to use for cover.

    • 5

      Test water temperature, pH and other chemical levels daily. Add water to tank as needed. Add the correct type and amount of water conditioner as needed. You will need 10 gallons of water capacity for every half-pound of bait fish you intend to keep. If your predatory fish do not eat much, build a smaller tank from a standard, 10-gallon aquarium, using an under-gravel water filtration system.