THE BASS COLLEGE

Ok, so in the 5 years I've owned my boat I have never used the livewell system. Well this year I want to start fishing some tournaments but the problem is im confused as to how to use the livewell system, I was hoping someone could help This is the switch that is on my dash, if I hit auto or manual the livewell begins to fill with water

This switch is next to my throttle, im assuming that its used to empty the water in the livewell hafter a day of fishing This is what is in the bottom of my livewell, im not really sure if this is a pump or not. So once the livewell fills with water how is water circulated to keep the fish alive?

Put the switch on auto and once the livewell is full, it should circulate at a timed interval by itself.  If you want to do it manually just put it on manual.  That is your drain in the bottom of your livewell.  The first picture should be for filling and draining the livewell i think?  What kind of boat is it?  There should be a timer switch for the circulation time?

( How is the water circulated?)...There should be a drain hole about an inch or two below the top of the livewell. Once the water reaches that level, it drains out while the fresh water is being pumped in. Thats how it is on my boat anyway.

not sure what kind of boat or livewell system , id try the auto position im pretty sure it wouldnt fill up in the empty position use that position when you pull the boat out of water , and im not sure what kind of switchs on your dash im thinking one for recirc and one for fill  and maybe different settings like hi. med. low this is for how often your livewell comes on for instences in hot summer days id put it on high and cold water situations on low. hope this helps  id really like to see the whole system , but this is my guess , and you might want to go on your boat manufacture site for info too if this doesnt help!

@Ranger 374, the boat is a 2003 Nitro, there is no timer switch for circulation that I know of.  thanks for the help I will try it out next time I take the boat out. Also I have seen information about oxygenators in livewells, do they help at  and do I need one?

tom at February 2, 2012 at 7:10 PM

not sure what kind of boat or livewell system , id try the auto position im pretty sure it wouldnt fill up in the empty position use that position when you pull the boat out of water , and im not sure what kind of switchs on your dash im thinking one for recirc and one for fill  and maybe different settings like hi. med. low this is for how often your livewell comes on for instences in hot summer days id put it on high and cold water situations on low. hope this helps  id really like to see the whole system , but this is my guess , and you might want to go on your boat manufacture site for info too if this doesnt help!

Since your boat is not a new boat, you would most likely only have standard livewell capabilities like filling and some sort of aireation which either recycles your water held in your live well or recirculates held water with fresh lake water.

Oxygenators are always a good idea, especially in systems without freah water recerculation. Even with that an Oxygenators systems creat 100% pure O2 and more O2 in the water at any temperature is always a good thing for maintaining fish health. Especially when the water temps heat up inthe Summer months. The Oxygenator systems are designed to be use liquid livewell formula such as the recommended U2 Pro Formula Livewell Treatment that helps calm and stabilize the fish while providing protection to their slimy coating from handling and riding in your livewell. Hard granual treatments are not recommended and will clog and damage the unit.

The cost is reasonable and if you are even a little mechanically inclined you can install them you self or your local marine mechanic can do it for you.

I have been using the system in my boat for more than 2 years now and have experienced overall better fish health at the end of the day when it's time for weigh-in and release.

The system Oxygenator and U2 Pro Formula are sold by Keep Fish Alive at TACKLE WAREHOUSE and you get free baits with all orders, and free shipping, from The Bass College when you follow the rules here before ordering. >> click here to view<< 

Or, you can cantact me and I can do the same.

Good Luck!

Bass_master at February 3, 2012 at 2:39 AM

@Ranger 374, the boat is a 2003 Nitro, there is no timer switch for circulation that I know of.  thanks for the help I will try it out next time I take the boat out. Also I have seen information about oxygenators in livewells, do they help at  and do I need one?

You don't need to take the boat out.  Fill the livewell's with your garden hose, then you can play with the switches.  You don't need a Oxygenator at this point, if you were going to fish a lot of tournament's then yes. Since you haven't even used them, i would spend the money elsewhere.  You need to scrub those livewell's out, keeping them clean is healthier for the fish also.  Make sure you use a non-toxic cleaner like Simple Green.  Good luck!

Something to look at this winter also. <<click here<

It looks like the guys have answered the question, but a suggestion would be to close the bottom switch before you get into your boat for a tournament. Only turn it to empty to let it fill when you are going to put a fish in the livewell. By doing that you wont have much water in it and you will be faster and more fuel efficient since you wont have the water slowing it down. As far and manual and auto I do both depending on the situtation. Running it on auto will be fine until you get used to them. Oxygenators are a great tool to have especially during the summer whne the water is hotter and has less oxygen in it. Just remember to use a product that will help the fish relax and not stress in the livewell like U2 Pro Fomula.

Chris at February 3, 2012 at 10:51 AM

It looks like the guys have answered the question, but a suggestion would be to close the bottom switch before you get into your boat for a tournament. Only turn it to empty to let it fill when you are going to put a fish in the livewell. By doing that you wont have much water in it and you will be faster and more fuel efficient since you wont have the water slowing it down. As far and manual and auto I do both depending on the situtation. Running it on auto will be fine until you get used to them. Oxygenators are a great tool to have especially during the summer whne the water is hotter and has less oxygen in it. Just remember to use a product that will help the fish relax and not stress in the livewell like U2 Pro Fomula.

Agreed. Thats the way to go.

With the boat on the trailer you might want to put water in live well with a garden hose and make sure it doesn't leak back out when you have the valve CLOSED.If it does when your under way with the outboard it will drain out.You won't notice it leaking with the troller because your not going fast enough. JMHO

Bass Master,

It appears that your boat's livewell may be equipped with a Flow-Rite system. You may click on the link I've provided below to find out exactly how this system works.  Incidently, there should be some sort of aerator pipe or device located up inside one of the corners of the livewell? This would make more sense to  you as  you're reading about how it works. I hope this helps.

Kenny

http://www.flow-rite.com/marine/product-info/valves/v2-valve

Delawarebass at February 3, 2012 at 8:49 AM

Something to look at this winter also. <<click here<

I already put this here. Its Flow Rite. lol 

Ooops, I guess I missed that. Oh well, I'm new to the site, but I guess since Flow-rite offers four system types, the link that I provided would take him to the correct system based on the type switching mechanism pictured in his original post. Hopefully less confusing for him to sort out. LOL   Thanks........

Kenny

Thanks Kenny LOL good to have you here. 

A livewell is a box to transport live fish, right? If you understand fish care and have the right equipment that insure good water quality in the box, well, you can haul live fish around all day or for several days if you like. It's the water quality in the box that is important. If you can't maintain good water quality in the box, your fish die and you have failed, your livewell is not functiona and doesn't work. It's very simple and that's how it works.

I was surfing the web and ran across this thread. I have heard pro's and con's about these oxygenators from fishermen and biologist alike. All confirn they do generate a little pure O2 and twice as much pure hydrogen. But, this part that is always omitted...  "how much oxygen do they really generate?" Of course that would be tested with a DO meter test dissolved oxygen saturation levels in the water and it seems that no one ever has a DO meter or has ever tested the dissolved oxygen saturation to really see what the thing does in the summer. The manufacture will not provide that information at all.

You guys might want to look at this before you get to wound-up on those oxygenators: http://oxyedge-chum.com/O2_system_comparisons.htm

This is an eye-opener about how these oxygen systems really work. You will never  see these facts on informercials, from salesmen or testimonials. They might be OK in Canada where the livewell water is cold year round, but it's a different story in the southern half of United States where the water gets hot in the summer.

Interesting topic fellows.

Yes it is They also sell temperature controlled livewells in addition, and you can of course keep the water the proper temperature yourself if you understand how to do it. But, that said, anybody doing anything is better than what most do, which is almost nothing, including the dry bag weigh ins B.A.S.S. does? But thats for another topic, this is just for help with this particluar system and how to help him use it.