Livewell for the Vehicle

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Chris in Mass

Through NIB's suggestion, was able to snag a plastic 55 gal plastic drum from the local car wash for nada. Cut it down to about a 25 gallon size. From all the info recieved, plus how I'm going to fish this method, and the vehicle/gear ratio, this seemed to be the optimal size for me.

The top was sealed on, so I cut that off too and will try to re-use it. It is now slightly smaller then the belly of my newly formed tub, hence the reason for the two, 2" wide bands you see (cut those from the excess body). I think I will create an inside lip with the bands so the top will be more snug. Scraped off all the burs created by the cutting process with a small hand planer. Whole process so far took about 45 minutes. I'll post more pics as I progress. Hope it helps someone someday. Time for beer and football.

Looks small.
You rarely fill it to the top with water.It wants to spill out..
So you have a 23 gallon tank.
The top has to be secured.The lid has to be secured It all has to be water tight or your gonna have a mess.The water is going to slosh around.
You'll need a door for the top.
If you can get a chlorine pail with a screw lid they work well as a door also.Cut the pail and set it into the top.You'll have to cut a nice round hole in the top.The screw lid works well as a door...Use stainless hardware for everything..Big pan heads screws like size 12, in 3/4" length will work to hold the top on.Pre drill slightly smaller, and silicone the hell out of it.It's still better to use the plywood like I suggested.It will give ya something to screw the inside of the pail for the door to.If ya go that route.Use 1" screws.

[stiff tip]

what do u drive .if it a truck make live well at least 35 gal .resess the cover 1or 2 inchs .cut hole in cover big enouph to store your 5gal pails when m-t ,put rope handles on it for moving around. live wells r e-z to make .good airation system and lots of room it the key to livies .... imo your tank looks a little small for 12 pogies .mabey ok for herrin. i keep 2 live wells 1 @ 35 1@ 55 gal .i could keep 20 or 40 herrin for 4hrs ok w/ cold water with these, half that # for pogies keep the foam out w/a saltian cracker

[Chris in Mass]

It is on the small side. I wasn't ignoring you guys. Here's the deal and I'll try not to bore you with my life story. I take about 50 trips a year from April through Dec. Problem is, I go once a weekend and I have about a 4-6 hour window to fish. Being a soloist, I'm figiuring I will probably use about 6 bunker at most when I do this. Plus my vehicle is a Honda Pilot. so with my other gear, this size semed to be the most practical.

Anyway, Here is how it turned out. I redirected back to NIB's suggestions and used a wooden top. For an access hole, I went with a cut down 5 gallon bucket. I would have preferred the screw top clorine bucket, but the pool place was not open today.

[Chris in Mass]

I cut the 5 gallon pail long enough to stick about a half inch beyond the plywood after you place it through the hole in the wood top. This way, I have a caulking lip where the wood meets the pail's plastic. I also screwed the sidewalls of the pail into the edge of the wood top. As NIB suggested, #12 x 3/4" stainless pan heads. The second picture is the underside of the wood top. The third is a view from the top.

[Chris in Mass]

I found this to use as a drain port in the electrical section. 3/4" threads on one end with an o-ring against the flange. Picked up another o-ring in the hose repair section, and sandwiched them on each side of the tank (not tested yet). The flange on the other will accept a 5/8" hose and clamp. Then I'll just add a hose on/off switch for a couple of bucks.

[Chris in Mass]

Tapped the wooden top into the tank about a half inch down. Kept it as high as possible since it is a smaller tank. Used #12 x 1" stainless pan head screws and secured the top through the tanks sidewall. Caulked the top and blind caulked the underside (gunk and feel method). Hopefully with the snap lid I will be able to fill as much a s possible with worrying about the slop. Now, just need to add Power Bubbles, a saltine cracker, enclosed ice chunks, and some bait!

For those who may stumble across this thread in the future and want to build your own tank, take a hard look at the specs that NIB and Stiff Tip lay out before starting - that's the real deal and there is tons of info buried in their posts.

[NIB]

Tank looks good.You should have said right off the bat the size of your ride.Height is key.You have to be able to pour a pail of water in it while it is in the back..You have all winter to find a screw top pail.If you know someone with a pool they will have a pail for ya.You can always swap it out.You want to get some 5200 marine caulk for the drain fitting..You can get a small tube at any marine store.Nice fitting the 90 degree angle saves room.
Ya really should Put some Paint or poly on the top side of the lid..The wood will just disintegrate after time.
Looks like ya built a tank for about 20 bucks..