Great points. I think what I understand the most about caring for bait comes down to the following:

1. Proper water preparation- temperature regulated, treated for chlorine if tap water, salt added and proper "shad keeper additive".

2. Aeration/flow- Water circulation enables filtering, oxygenation, and establishes current for bait to swim.

3. Filtration- removes scales and solids that clog bait gills.

Im thinking of a design that incorporates THIS Insulated cooler vessel with THIS filtration system, and a different spray head to create better oxygenation and current generation. Thinking I can probably do without the tiny bubble generator with the proper spray nozzle and higher gph pump. Also considering painting the interior blue. Thoughts?

Hardheaded greenhorn? Wow.... Well Carson looks like you have to change your name to going greenhorn.

Sent you a PM but you're on the right track for sure.

Too much flow will tire out baits,flow needs to be where shad swim with a very slow motion.Greenhorn I like the idea you have ,for your tank.But oval low profile will be better IMHO.

I'm with ya on the bubble thing as well. I don't think you need it.

What about a igloo rectangular cooler with a piece of aluminum or plastic rolled to fit inside to round the corners,and you could drill a hole in one corner of aluminum for pump and another in other corner for filter? The level of water would be however much you put in it. Insulated and when done you could pull it all out and use it for a cooler again?

I guess you could get a 15 gal drum to make one like mine in this link: http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/7863323#Post7863323

It works great I can keep 8 doz 2.5-3" shad alive for a week in my 35 gal tank! I have a 15 gal drum I might try to turn it into a bait tank also. My 35 gal tank will take water that has only 8" of visibility and turn it almost clear in 4 hours!

Interesting Idea. I think in terms of space, the round one will fit better. I'm glad you're back on the contribution side of the table again though. Tell me more about flow rate.

I'm geussin 1 mph I'm not sure but when the shad are swimming very effortlessly that's the best flow. I didn't know I was on the non contributing side. Sorry if I offended. I was messing around. I love to help anyone but I only know a few things and by no means am I an expert.But I do believe the blue paint thin helps calm them only cause the bad asses that build pro tanks are not dummy's. The do it for a reason. Peace

I like your design of the filter/pump canister, nice that its all in one unit. Can you post some more about it?

I just put a adjustable flow fitting on my creek bank tank it's awesome. Like 8 bucks online!

I just hate to deal with my net hitting a filter or a pump when trying to net baits. Especially the last half dozen baits. It's harder to get them in a tank like that than you think. But considering the cost of a real one I could deal with it too.

PM sent Green

I was fishing with Salsa last summer when we went to catch live bait. I was AMAZED at the preparation for his tank/water before we caught any shad. He has a big tank, but put a bag of ice (maybe 2), rock salt, and shad saver (available at Academy, Cabelas, BPS, etc.) He may have put something else in too, but those are the ones I remember. I think since he does it everyday he knows how much to put in, but there's definitely a science to keeping your bait lively. Shad are quite delicate as I'm sure you know so keeping them is not easy, but it is possible if you know what you are doing. Good luck with you tank. Let us know what you end up with.

What would you like to know? In a smaller tank you would obviously have to use a smaller pipe. I use a foam sponge for the fine filter and a synthetic bath lufa as the rough filter to catch scales and other debris. The pump is a 500gph pump. It took me a while to figure out the air tube so it did not suck too much air and still pump good water for circulation.