Startup Guide
Filter Box Preparation:
- After washing the charcoal bag, place on top of the large hole.
- Put the 1″ black foam pad on top of charcoal.
- Precut the supplied blue white filter material into rectangular pieces slightly larger than the black foam pad. Place all but 3 of these in a plastic storage bag for later use.
- Prewet the blue white filter material prior to placing it in the filter box (makes it easier).
- Place the 3 layers of the blue white filter material blue side up, on top of the black foam pad.
- During use, when the top layer of the blue white filter material becomes clogged with scales, start at one corner and “jelly roll” the soiled layer up and – when you have time – wash it out and have it ready before the next layer gets saturated with scales. The next layer will instantly be filtering any secondary debris.
- NOTE: Should the black foam pad become clogged, shut off the pump momentarily, allow any water above the pad to drain down, remove the charcoal bag, then rinse it in the lake. Reinstall the charcoal bag, black foam pad, then the blue white filter sheets, blue sides up, and restart the pump.
Tank Preparation:
Fill the tank to the proper level, which is just to the bottom of the filter box. There is a line on the filter box to indicate the proper level. Over-filling will flood the filter box and slow the filtering process. If city water is used, be sure to include a de-chlorinating chemical. Sure-Life Dechlor (LCR) is added at one cap per 10 gallons. Be sure to use non-iodized salt, which can be obtained at any grocery store.
- Add the Sure-Life product that supports the specified bait you are retaining per the manufacturer suggestions. When your choice of bait is freshwater shad, non-iodized salt should be used one cup per 10 gallons of water.
- Foam formed on the surface of the water in a tank can rob the water of extra oxygen it could contain. Foam can be removed by adding Sure-Life Foam-Off one drop at a time. Wait a few seconds after adding 3 or 4 drops, if all foam is not gone, add a few more drops.
Transferring Bait To The Tank
- Baits should be shaken from the cast net straight into a transfer vessel containing water where culling must be done to eliminate loose scales and unwanted baits. When culling, use a small net instead of your hands to place the choice baits into the tank water.
- After you have all the bait you need, pour the contents of the transfer vessel back into the lake and return any unneeded baits to the lake.
Adding Bait Fish
- When adding bait to a tank, always try to keep count. Never over-populate your tank with a bushel basket catch dropped directly into the tank. This results in a congested tank and over-contaminated water. Bait usually dies quickly because contaminates (scales and debris) enter the baits’ mouth while breathing and cross over and lodge on the gills, preventing the bait from receiving the air needed. Never keep small bait fish that you don’t intend to use because they steal oxygen needed by more desirable baits.
- Keep in mind that the larger the bait, the smaller tha numbers that can be kept. The 30 gallon tank will keep approximately 30-36 6″ baits. The larger 50 gallon tank will hold bait in the same proportions.
- The oval insulated tank is constructed to hold water temps in hot summer months, preferably to 70-80 degrees. This will not give the bait thermal shock like taking it from 80-90 degree water and dropping it into 70 degree water. Rapid changes in the temperature can cause shock. A simple thermometer can be used to accurately monitor the water temperature. A good method of reducing the water temperature is to use water frozen in half gallon milk-type containers which can be reused. If using the drink containers, be sure to have re-sealable tops so that the frozen water does not contaminate the water in the tank. Another trick here is to put some salt in the container prior to freezing, which will cause the ice to be somewhat cooler.
Draining The Tank
- After releasing all unused baits from the tank back into the lake, remove the plug from the back of the tank and allow the water to drain into the lake. If you are using a separate pump to drain the tank, insert it into the tank and drain the water over the side of your boat.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call or contact us any time!