How to Keep Your Livewell Clean and Your Fish Fresh
Boat livewell tanks can get dirty quickly if you're not proactive about keeping them clean. A livewell system collects fish slime, waste, algae, and bacteria from the moment you put your catch in it. The smell can be awful, and it can be harmful to your catch if you don't make regular cleaning a priority. Fortunately, it's not a rigorous task, and it can be done quickly and affordably with the right tools. Here's how to keep your boat livewell tank clean and your fish fresh:
Importance of Livewell Maintenance
Whether you plan to release your catch at the end of the day or dine on it, a livewell is important for keeping the fish healthy. If your livewell tank isn't kept clean, it can reduce the oxygen content of the water in it. This can stress the fish out and make them sick or, in the worst-case scenario, suffocate them. Given the amount of slime and "gunk" that a living fish can give off in a confined space, it's not enough to simply turn the pump on to keep fresh water in the tank. The livewell needs to be cleaned regularly to keep your fish fresh as long as possible. Any type of decomposing organic matter that's left in your livewell for too long can kill your fish.
Regular Cleaning: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Empty the Livewell
Drain the livewell and get as much debris out of it as you can first. Remove the valve screens at the bottom of the livewell as those will need to be cleaned as well. Hose everything off in the interior of the livewell.
2. Rinse and Scrub
Some people prefer to use toxic cleaners or bleach inside their livewell. If you plan on eating your fish, we'd strongly recommend sticking to non-toxic cleaners like white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Scrub all the surfaces and screens with a sponge or cloth.
3. Disinfect
White vinegar is a great choice for wiping out any harmful bacteria in your livewell. The acetic acid in white vinegar has antimicrobial properties and it will kill most bacteria that it encounters in a livewell.
4. Flush the System
Refill the boat's livewell tank to about 3/4 full. Pour in another gallon of white vinegar and a 32-ounce bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Then, turn the aerator pump on and flush the entire system. This allows the vinegar and peroxide to reach the parts inside the pipes and fittings on the livewell system that you couldn't get to with a sponge. It also lets you flush any remaining debris out of the system.
Preventing Algae Growth and Bad Odors
Use of Algae Control Products: There are a lot of safe and non-toxic algae control products you can find to add to your livewell cleaning regimen. Many come in a spray form that you can use to wipe down the livewell while it's empty, but others can simply be poured into the tank with water.
Proper Aeration: Fish need to be able to breathe when they're in the livewell. Check your aeration system regularly to prevent stagnant water from building up in the tank. Stagnant water can reduce the oxygen content of the water which can be fatal to live baits or fish.
Keep the Water Cool: Controlling the temperature in a livewell is also important for the health of the fish. The goal should be to keep the water in the livewell at roughly the same temperature as the water the fish came out of. If the water in the tank is too warm, it will start to develop bacteria and algae growth and your fish will start to struggle.
Best Practices for Storing Fish
Use of Ice or Ice Packs: If you're on a fishing trip on a long, hot day, ice or ice packs in the livewell can help cool off the water for extended periods. If you plan on releasing your fish at the end of a tournament, however, it's probably a better idea to not shock them with a major temperature change. Ice or ice packs should only be used if you plan on keeping the fish.
Separating Fish: Dividers or bags can be used to keep fish separate from each other. They can stress each other out or even get aggressive with each other, especially if you have multiple species in a livewell at once.
Changing Water Regularly: If your livewell system doesn't automatically refresh the water, you should do it manually to maintain cleanliness. Gemlux offers an adjustable livewell standpipe that automatically drains the old water as fresh water is pumped into the tank.
Choose Gemlux to Clean Your Livewell
A livewell tank should be kept clean to maintain the health and freshness of your fish. A regular cleaning routine also helps minimize bad odors in the tank. Gemlux sells a range of livewell for boat system products for sport fishing. This includes adjustable standpipes, thru-hull adapters, plugs, and feeds. Browse our catalog of livewell and other boat accessories, and give us a call if you have any questions!