EEl Tank advice?? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

cheferson · 05-26-2006, 10:57 AM

Anyone have any advice on keeping eels alive in a tank? Is it necessary to dechlorinate the water, can i use straight tap? Dechlorinator gets expensive when changing 50 gal every couple days. Guys at wildwood are keeping black salties in straight tap water , no dechlorinator. Also is it beneficial to add a small amount of aquarium salt to keep fungal/bacterial infections down? I know this works with a lot of other fish including goldfish. Any other advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Krispy · 05-26-2006, 11:20 AM

Chef, I keep a 55gal barrel in the backyard w/ a cover. I just run an aqaurium pump out the basement window and change the water every 4-5 days. Straight tap out the hose, never have a problem. I painted the barrel white outside, since its black to keep water temps down. Find a shady spot if possible

Krispy · 05-26-2006, 11:33 AM

fishaholic18 · 05-26-2006, 11:37 AM

I use tap water, change it every few days and a fish tank air pump with no problems.

JFigliuolo · 05-26-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

I use tap water, change it every few days and a fish tank air pump with no problems.

same here... except well water.

nightprowler · 05-26-2006, 01:30 PM

Krispy, How many eels on average can you keep in your tank? I have an opportunity to buy up to 50 lbs for cheap and am trying to figure out if its worth it.
thanks
np

Canalman · 05-26-2006, 02:45 PM

Chef - I have a 1/2 a 55 gallon drum with a large wal-mart bin inside it, I drilled holes in the bottom of the wally world bin. I sink the bin inside the barrle and I aerate it with 1 fish tank aerator (10$ at... yup you guessed it Wal-Mart) When you need to get at them just lift the bin, let the water drain and voila! you have your eels. In the summer, I just put frozen 2 liter bottles of water in there to keep the temp down. And I use tap water with no problems.

-Dave

Canalman · 05-26-2006, 02:45 PM

I've kept 60-80 alive at once.

reelecstasy · 05-26-2006, 02:48 PM

I should buy some eels in bulk this year....

nightprowler · 05-26-2006, 02:58 PM

I was talking to the owner of the local shop and his eels are going for the same price as last year $1.50; he doesn't know if the prices are going to go up, but he recomended that I buy in bulk soon and he'll help me out with better pricing....Im going to buy in bulk, I just need to figure out how many eels I can keep alive in my yard

Krispy · 05-26-2006, 03:06 PM

60-80 would be fine, but with that many youll need to feed em or they get real skinny after a few weeks. Killies work and are free, but then the water fouls up fast. You will need to change it every other day.
If its for MA comm. season and your going through 100+ eels a week, a 55gal could handle it.
I would get a good size airstone as well

Canalman · 05-26-2006, 03:11 PM

I usually go through 60-80 in a few weeks havn't seen a thinning problem.

Krispy · 05-26-2006, 03:32 PM

Yeah, they definitely lose weight. Set some aside, after a few weeks they start to shrink. Not a big deal if they're honkers, but med-small ones get tiny

FYI- you need a black tank. Even in blue barrels, eels will turn white

fishaholic18 · 05-26-2006, 03:38 PM

I had a huge thinning problem last year, where do I get Killies?

TheSpecialist · 05-26-2006, 03:40 PM

I need a plastic drum. Krispy what size air pump, and stone are you using? Also have racoons been a problem?

fishaholic18 · 05-26-2006, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

I need a plastic drum. Krispy what size air pump, and stone are you using? Also have racoons been a problem?

I can get u one Bill.

fishaholic18 · 05-26-2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

I can get u one Bill.

They are white but I painted mine black with Fusion inside.

pmueller · 05-26-2006, 03:48 PM

Killies may be good, a simpler solution is fishfood or clams.

Krispy · 05-26-2006, 03:56 PM

killies or mummichogs for you northerners

Any ol minnow trap w/ bread in a creek will catch all you need. Doritos also work especially well

And they seem to survive fine in tap water and nasty eel water.

fishaholic18 · 05-26-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krispy

killies or mummichogs for you northerners

Any ol minnow trap w/ bread in a creek will catch all you need. Doritos also work especially well

And they seem to survive fine in tap water and nasty eel water.

Thanks, Mummies, I know just where to get 'em.

TheSpecialist · 05-26-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

I can get u one Bill.

Krispy · 05-26-2006, 04:17 PM

Specialist, never had an animal get into the tank. Ive left dead ones on the lawn though, and theyre gone by morning

shadow · 05-26-2006, 04:33 PM

I dont keep nearly as many as 60 eels but more like 12 or so in a 20 gal filled half way w/ well water and an air pump,my tank cracked so I'am going to try a large storage bin as it is better then glass.