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Post by topgun on Feb 9, 2014 21:03:26 GMT -5
Anyone on here ever converted a deep freezer into a fridge and made a bait tank out of it? I am thinking on putting one on the dock. - drawing water from about 15 to 18 feet deep (cool water)
- making an aerator bar out of pvc
- running my pump/intake water on a timer.....the intake water will be the aeration, as well.
- having an overflow drain in the side of the fridge so the foam will run off
- a once a day water change done through another timer - which will also serve as a drain/cleaning to get rid of the crud and scales
....ok so I am not thinking about this. I am doing this.....stay tuned.
i have a freezer that I will be tinkering with here soon! 
Jeff |
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Post by mwardncsu on Feb 9, 2014 21:20:35 GMT -5
I've seen guys use old freezers as tanks in the back of trucks..... you can get a "tote tank" for cheap, but they are not insulated - so a freezer would be. If you are going to have salt in the tank (you want to) I wonder how a freezer will hold up.....
I know a guy that had some of those 225 gal tote tanks sprayed with a couple of inches of spray insulation and worked well for him (he was in the shad stocking business for ponds and such). Not the prettiest thing, but you could always build a frame/box around it if keeping it on the deck. Just an idea.....
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Post by topgun on Feb 10, 2014 5:54:27 GMT -5
I've seen guys use old freezers as tanks in the back of trucks..... you can get a "tote tank" for cheap, but they are not insulated - so a freezer would be. If you are going to have salt in the tank (you want to) I wonder how a freezer will hold up..... I know a guy that had some of those 225 gal tote tanks sprayed with a couple of inches of spray insulation and worked well for him (he was in the shad stocking business for ponds and such). Not the prettiest thing, but you could always build a frame/box around it if keeping it on the deck. Just an idea..... Yeah mike, I like the insulated idea of the freezer. Plus, Im going to convert the temperature controller to a refrigerator temperature controller so that I can get in the 50 to 70 degrees F range. What would you say is a good "all around temperature" to keep this thing at ? I've been wondering about the salt issue. I've used salt in my on the boat bait tank in the past. Actually, I've kind of gotten away from using it. I know that the salt makes the bait tougher, heartier, more lively, etc..., Having an overflow/vent hole in the side for the foam/top water crud to run off will be good. If I add salt, hopefully the salinity will stay in the tank being saltwater is more dense than freshwater. The liner in the freezer isn't metal - which is also good. I've seen the big, huge, industrial totes. Im not trying to stock the lake with more shad!.....  J/K, I know what you mean! That does look like a good way to go with the spray insulation and a painted wooden frame around it. But....geeez, at 8 lbs a gallon - We're talking serious weight per square foot. With something like that sitting on the dock I wouldn't be able to unload my stripers from the boat to the dock. The dock just wouldn't be able to take that tank and the usual massive stripers that I haul in! Jeff |
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Post by mwardncsu on Feb 10, 2014 7:26:08 GMT -5
On temp - if you are going to control it then I'd keep it within 5 degrees of the lake water at the depth you're gonna fish the baits. Just wonder what the electrical bill will be to run the refrigeration.... Some guys here familiar with refridgeration systems may be able to comment on pros/cons of using that freezer and trying to run it etc.
Get some pics of the setup when put together and let us know how it's working - espicially this summer - if you can keep it cool then it could shine.
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Post by grasscutter on Feb 10, 2014 9:58:29 GMT -5
How about using a liner in the freezer...like the type for a pond
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BentRod
Global Moderator
Posts: 2,252
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Post by BentRod on Feb 10, 2014 12:31:49 GMT -5
Doubt you'll have much foam buildup...my big tanks never really have much..or at least nothing to worry about.
What's the water volume of the freezer?
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Post by mwardncsu on Feb 10, 2014 12:52:38 GMT -5
- drawing water from about 15 to 18 feet deep (cool water)
If you are able to use the refrigeration capability of the filter then that depth may work during the summer..... just keep in mind you'll need to get down to the 25-35' range to get cool enough water in the peak of summer otherwise....  Using the refrigeration to bring water temp down will help - but you'll have to work out the amount it cools vs. the flow rate of new water coming in..... Also, regarding the comment on salinity and the salty water staying in the tank when doing water changes - very unlikely in that small volume of water if you have any reasonable level of flow - which you'll want some to circulate the water through some type of filtration - also for aeration.... I'd expect it to stay pretty much evenly mixed. |
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Post by topgun on Feb 10, 2014 18:54:49 GMT -5
Doubt you'll have much foam buildup...my big tanks never really have much..or at least nothing to worry about. What's the water volume of the freezer? 15 cubic feet or 112 gal. I plan on filling it 3/4 of the height.....so roughly 75 gallons. |
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Post by 2 oars & a trash can on Feb 10, 2014 19:56:40 GMT -5
But....geeez, at 8 lbs a gallon - We're talking serious weight per square foot. With something like that sitting on the dock I wouldn't be able to unload my stripers from the boat to the dock. The dock just wouldn't be able to take that tank and the usual massive stripers that I haul in! Jeff If you can place it directly above one of the bands that are bolted to the poles, that'd be best. Then I'd go underneath and be sure you have solid bolts, and the bands are in good shape, and block the joists right above it so they can't roll. Best if they are 16" oc not 24". Some docks are built to the standards of a home, some are cobbled together from left over railroad ties. |
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Post by mytoyzfishing on Feb 10, 2014 20:31:21 GMT -5
If you are going to use a freezer I would defanilty use a pond liner in it. I had tried it a couple of years ago with a freezer I was given and had problems with it rusting and eventually started to leak water.
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J/K, I know what you mean! That does look like a good way to go with the spray insulation and a painted wooden frame around it. But....geeez, at 8 lbs a gallon - We're talking serious weight per square foot. With something like that sitting on the dock I wouldn't be able to unload my stripers from the boat to the dock. The dock just wouldn't be able to take that tank and the usual massive stripers that I haul in! 
