DIY Cooler converted to Livewell

[Capspath83]

Hi All,

I had a quick question in regards to converting a cooler into a livewell.

I have been trying to find a cooler that is around 32qts that I can convert to a livewell to carry herring when fishing in local lakes. I have already bought an aerator https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EYULIS/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am just worried that I get a cooler that will leak from the lid when transporting in my car from the bait shop to the lake.

Any suggestions?

[hookset]

How far is bait shop from lake? What size bait will you be transporting?

[briansnat]

If you want a leak proof cooler, you may have to spring for a roto molded cooler. They ain't cheap though. One that might be affordable is the 30 quart Engel cooler/dry box. It is $64 on Amazon. It has a rubber gasket and latches and should prevent spills. I use it in my boat as a dry box, and it keeps the water out, so I assume it will keep the water in as well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQ1QY92/ref=twister_B01616WXD8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[saltfisherman]

I have a 19 engel dry box and converted it to a live well. Here in Florida I keep shrimp live for hours. No problem keeping 50 alive. The water that is from bait shop is cool and it stays cool all day.

The 2 D battery size bubbler works great and the battery live is good.

[Capspath83]

Thanks Guys,

I ended up speaking with someone I know at a local bait shop and was told that I could keep about 3 dozen herring alive in a 5g bucket with an aerator and a little bit of salt all day long so I just converted an old salt mix bucket I had for my saltwater tank that has a locking sealed top. I drilled a hole up on the top rim to insert the aerator hose so I can open and close the lid without removing the stone. I tested for leaks and all is good!

I now just need to test the theory of how many I can actually keep alive if out of the sun and frequent water changes.

[bigboy5522]

Ive kept 2 dozen herring in a 5 gallon bucket for about 6 hours with good results. Used an aerator and added frozen water bottles with tap water(in the water bottle because the chlorine can harm them). Did not change the water once.

[Charlie B]

I made a livewell out of a 10 gallon round water cooler with a screw on top. I modified it quite a bit and plumbed it into my boat and put a flip up hatch on top. The plumbing is pretty complicated but I can run fresh water in or recirculate and filter the water. It has an overflow drain that keeps the water a couple inches from the top when pumping in fresh water as long as I have the valve set right to limit the water going in a bit. I also run an air pump and airstone. It works good I kept almost a dozen herring alive for about a week and a half by changing out a few gallons or water a day and adding some kosher salt to the water...Charlie

[Jigman13]

Drill a hole in the side of the cooler about an inch and a half to two inches from the top. Put aerator hose through with stone inside (obviously). Fashion a strap on the outside of the cooler using small short screws and suitable, slightly rigid material allowing the bubble box to hang as if clipped to a bucket. To minimize leaking during transport just bungee the lid down. Cheap, easy and effective.

I picked up a 28 qt at a yard sale and did this. I use it for herring, sunnies, shiners, suckers, chubs and goldens. Fits in my trunk easily and also fits snugly in my ice fishing sled (which is actually a cheap ass concrete mixing tote from Home Depot with a rope strung thru it lol).