CTFishTalk.com: livewell operation for a DIY job? - Connecticut Boat Repair, Electronics, and Motor Help ( CT Boat Repair, Electronics, and Motor Help ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

SCUBAshep · Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 15

So, I bought my boat and the guy I bought it from bought it off a guy that had done a bunch of extra things to it on his own. My question is with the livewell system that he installed. There are 2 igloo coolers with pvc pipe running through them and 2 aerators in the back of the boat. Was wondering how this system is supposed to work? The livewells (coolers) don't fill up all the way when the boat is put in the water, and I know i'm sounding a bit retarded here but shouldn't they fill all the way up or do I have to run the aerators? Any assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated, since at the moment all I use them for are...well...coolers, haha. Thanks

ripline · Joined: 26 Feb 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Shelton

Pics would help.

Are they through hull gravity fed? They fill without the use of a pump?

The aerators might just be for oxygenating the water that flows in there. If they are pumps they will draw water in but then there must be an overflow so you don't fill your boat with water.

hila2006 · Joined: 22 Jul 2011 Posts: 582 Location: Ellington

Our first bass boat(really a 14' jon boat) needed a livewell for us to be able to do tournys. I made one out of a huge Igloo cooler, 108 quart size. Took up the whole back of the boat. You should have an inlet pump thru your transom with a screen filter on it, which should fill from the bottom of the cooler, you should also have an overflow outlet a few inches bellow the top so you don't overfill and flood your boat like Ripline said. Without pictures it really is hard to say, but you hopefully have a pump to get water from outside into the coolers. The aerators should just be for extra oxygen, but if you run fresh water occasionally into the system you won't need it. Hope this helps and good luck.

SCUBAshep · Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 15

Hey thanks for the input guys, I will get on putting some pictures up here if it's not too late(I know it's been awhile since I've been on here, my wife had our son shortly after). Hopefully I will be able to get some stuff done on the boat during the winter.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Hey, congratuations, Dad! Very Happy

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SCUBAshep · Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 15

Thank ya much sir! It's been a challenge but definitely a blast!