I am looking at purchasing a new bait tank. I have a few requirements and questions that maybe somebody on here can help with.

Requirements....
25-30 gallon capacity
prefer oval but round is ok
insulated
sturdy enough to be a seat.


The brands i'm looking at are grayline, sunshine, and keepalive.
I like the grayline because no space is wasted and they have an activated carbon filter, but wont really work as a seat. the sunshine is re-inforced to act as a seat but no carbon filter. The keepalive is cheap...no filters, and not sure aobut the seat..


any recommendations?

oh yeah..i'd like to spend the least amount of money possible...grayline/sunshine are $500 and the keepalive is $300

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...=0042761119449a

Do not forget about the Cabelas knock offs!

Cabelas

I got to see a Grayline in action last weekend and they are really nice!

Hatz

For what it's worth I run a Grayline and stopped putting the carbon in. A few pieces always seemed to somehow get into the tank. They would suck up and bind the pump. Haven't noticed any difference without it except I haven't burned up a pump since quitting.

If your gonna be serious about holding bait i would suggest not skimping on a bait tank.

Graylines and sunshines are 2 of the best around. your probably right about sitting on a grayline.. a little rough.. Sunshines make a good seat.
there are places around that will make a seat/cushion that will fit over a tank and I bet one could be made for a grayline.
I have used sunshines for many years and am having a new 50 gallon grayline built as we speak so ill be using both shortly.

Im not sure what you mean about the carbon filter...but if you like using carbon you can just put some in the bottom of the sunshine filter box....i do that occasionally but really dont see the need or benefit from doing so.
mark uses graylines and to my knowledge doesnt use any kind of carbon.
maybe someone can shed some light on its benefit to me cuz i rally dont know.

creekbank also makes a tank but they are pricey! I run a Grayline myself!

i was told the insulated keepalive tanks are sturdy enough for a seat. The only filter they have is a foam filter that goes around the pump though..

i dont need to keep shad alive more than 2 days.

I have a Keepalive--Its a small one but it works for me. I did have to replace the small filter that came with the tank but that was easy enough and only 2.99 at Petsmart

I just purchased a sunshine tank this past week from George. (I haven't made a post about it yet but will do so soon with some pics.) Keeping it short, this is what I can tell you from the research I did.

1 - Most guides, at least in this area, use sunshine, grayline or both. So both of them have to be good tanks.

2 - If your serious about keeping bait alive, spend the money and get you a good tank.

3 - Grayline is better in the winter.

4 - Sunshine is better in the summer.


Personally, I went with the sunshine becaue I figured that I would need to deal with the heat more than the cold. And, it is one of the perfered tanks used by the guides. If they make a living using the grayline or sunshine tanks, they must be good tanks.

I would add some pics of my new tank but my cammera didn't do a good job with a white tank on a white non-skid floor and a bright sunny day. Pic's didn't turn out.

George is a very nice guy. Give him a call and get his opinion.

I am a dealer for creek bank if you are intrested in one of those.

http://creekboats.com/tank_home.htm

let me know and I will get you a quote on one..

Nauti...can you give me a quote for the 30 gallon tank?

With Shipping to Royce City By UPS, $575.00. Very strong you could use it as a seat. You will love this tank the way the filter system works. I just got back from Whitney this weekend I use a 30 gallon. I put 125 shad in on Saturday 4pm and still have 60 or so still swimming like i just put them in there for the first time. Its a great product.

Thanks

Danny
dannyragsdale@sbcglobal.net

I have a Sunshine and love it. Most of my friends have had Sunshine tanks much longer then I have and they love it. You can't go wrong with Sunshine tanks. I researched on carbon filtering in the past and tried it and found it was a hassle and not worth it. It works like your carbon filter for drinking water and is a very fine filter that also takes out bad taste. If you have too small of carbon particles, they will travel through the system, As mentioned above, and create a mess with pumps and can be cloudy at first. Keeping water cool, using good chemicals and above all getting a good tank that filters sufficiently and circulates enough water and oxygenates it is the key.

well i ended up getting a keepalive insulated 30 gallon with the 1100gph pump for $300. I coudnt see paying an extra 200 for the grayline/sunshine for no more than i really need.

JD, do you know of anyone who makes the cushions for the sunshine bait tanks?