The Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide Factor as it Relates to Minnow Storage
by Timothy LesmonsterThere are three reasons minnows in a bucket die. One is lack of oxygen; one is ammonia build up; one is carbon dioxide build up. This is why, when you change some of the water in your bait bucket, you see the minnows that were sick and dying get their strength back.
You can tell when minnows in a bucket need oxygen. They move to the top of the bucket and poke their mouths through the surface and try to pull oxygen from the air above the water. When it's the ammonia and carbon dioxide build up that's killing them, they just roll over on their back and die.
Aqua Innovations has taken care of the problem that arises from lack of oxygen in the water. The Bait-Keeper oxygenator, when dropped into the bottom of a bait bucket, will keep the oxygen levels above 90 percent. There's still the problem with ammonia build up.
One simple way to get the ammonia out of the water is to change some of the water. Scoop out half the water in the bucket and replace it with new, fresh water from the lake, river or reservoir. The oxygenator will bring oxygen levels up quickly and the bait will be happy.
If you're off the water and you want to store the remaining minnows keep the bait bucket in the shade, somewhere where it stays cool and the water won’t freeze, like a corner of the garage or your basement.
At least once a day you need to stir up the water. This breaks the tension on the surface of the water and allows the carbon dioxide to dissipate. You must then add some fresh water to the bait bucket as well to get rid of that ammonia.
One good way to add fresh water – by using chlorinated tap water – is to fill some empty gallon milk jugs with water from the tap and let them sit with the lids off. In a day the chlorine in the water is gone and this water can be added to the bait container without adversely affecting the minnows. If you want to immediately use chlorinated tap water just invest in those aquarium tablets you can get in any store, They’re cheap and will remove the chlorine from your refill water quickly.
When you're in a boat or driving across the ice to get to your fishing hole the jostling around as you make your way from one spot to another will keep the water sloshing in the bait container and carbon dioxide won't build up in the water.
Just replacing water in your bucket from the body of water you are on might not be enough. The reason is that the oxygen content of that water you’re adding from the lake, river, or reservoir might be low in dissolved oxygen. In some bays and with some surface water the oxygen levels can be extremely low. You need something in the bucket to bring those oxygen levels up.
If you're fishing from shore or sitting in a stationary or portable ice shelter, make sure you change water in that bait container every few hours or more and stir the water in the bucket occasionally to break the surface tension to get rid of that carbon dioxide. You will notice your bait lasts a long time when you consider the ammonia and carbon dioxide connection. You’re no longer dumping those buckets of leftover minnows on the ice or at the boat landing because the next time you take to the water, that bait is good to go.
To learn more about the Aqua Innovations oxygenation systems visit their web site at www.aquainnovationsinc.com or call 1-866-601-1296.
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