Shiner Holding Tanks

Now I'm not keeping them to look at just for bait.
I'll come home with 4 dozen golden or when I buy "Arkansas shiners" thats wht the wholesalers calls them? I dont like to just keep them in a cooler with airation. I set up a 55 gal drum with a filter and air stone. Should I have lighting set upalso ? The golden shiners opposed to the store bought usually are hardier but I can't get them last past a month? I change about 10 gallons every 2 wks. The filter is a HOB rated for a 110. I keep the drum in the cellar too.

Whether you need lighting depends on how much light they are currently getting. Since they are in the basement, is it pitch black? If so, even a litle light will help them feed. (You will need to feed them).

A thought - if it is legal in your area, you might want to try to catch bait fish from the places you fish (using a minnow trap or similar). That way, when they get loose (which they do), you won't be risking introducing diseases/exotics into the lake/river.

Plus, it's a lot more fun!

Whether you need lighting depends on how much light they are currently getting. Since they are in the basement, is it pitch black? If so, even a litle light will help them feed. (You will need to feed them).

A thought - if it is legal in your area, you might want to try to catch bait fish from the places you fish (using a minnow trap or similar). That way, when they get loose (which they do), you won't be risking introducing diseases/exotics into the lake/river.

Plus, it's a lot more fun!

It's no completely pitch black but close enough. I've see people use massive freezer coolers and the lid is shut, I didn't know if that the proper way. They say it keeps them more calm and stops them from slamming into the walls thats why I went with the drum. I want to be able to fatten up the shiners while I have them. I do feed brine + mysics, shrimp and a little gold fish food. I know the size of the tank limit how many I can keep healthy too. O and I always have to catch the golden shiners which is a blast in itself. Just tracking them down teaches you alot about that body of water. And it's funny how much more they produce better size LMB.

how big are the golden shiners(s,m lg?) and are you sure its not a problem with the drum?

how big are the golden shiners(s,m lg?) and are you sure its not a problem with the drum?

Well shiners are always coming and going from the tank. As of last night I only have three 4-5" natives the other maybe dozen are store bought. I haven't lost a shiner in the tank since I started posting this thread, (all of 5 days!) Still works for me though. The drum is stamped food and water safe, so I assumed it's alight for the shiners. I started a light on a timer like nativeplanter suggested. They seem more relaxed when I come in to feed them, like there looking for food and not trying to scatter and hide.