What is a livewell aerator
Emma Valentine
Published Mar 17, 2026
The aerator circulates air into the livewell as the bait and fish need to be alive during long fishing runs. It’s something you may have seen in a domestic aquarium setup, where a little man wearing diving gear lets out bubbles. That’s just an aerator letting air into the tank so that the fish can stay alive!
How does a livewell aerator work?
How Aerators Work. Air aerator is simply an air pump. Depending on the size of your boat and the layout, you can run a line up to your helm for a switch or turn the pump on and off at the unit. A hose runs from the pump to the livewell that blows oxygen into the water the way a filter pump does on a household fish tank …
What is aerated livewell?
The concept of an aerated livewell is pretty simple. A pump pulls water in through the hull and into the livewell. A drain allows the water to escape and be replaced. The aerator agitates the water to stimulate the oxygen in the water. The amount of water going into the well needs to be regulated.
Do I need an aerator in my live well?
Ideally, the best livewell pump will be one that also aerates the water. However the risk of having an all in one system in a marine environment means that if there is any problem with the pump, you might risk losing everything. Having a dedicated aerator means you just have to ensure the pump is working.Whats an aerator on a boat?
Aerator – In a livewell system, the aerator is an electric pump that brings water from outside the boat into the livewell, then mixes air with the flow of water to increase the oxygen mix and help keep fish or bait alive and healthy.
What are Livewells used for?
A livewell is an aerated tank in the boat, similar to an aquarium, that holds fish in water until weigh-in time so that they have a better chance of survival when released. The best livewells are big enough to hold a lot of water, enough water for the fish to remain upright and have some room to move about.
Where does livewell drain?
One drains into the back and the bilge pump evacuates the water. The other drains straight out the back of the boat when it is out of the water.
What is an aerator pump used for?
An aerator, or air pump, pushes air and oxygen into your septic system. The additional oxygen increases natural bacterial activity within the system, that then provides additional treatment for nutrients in the effluent.Can I use a bilge pump for a livewell?
A pump box is the best solution, so consider it during your livewell pump installation. … Bilge pumps work here because they use the same motors and impellers as in centrifugal livewell pumps.
Can a livewell sink a boat?As mentioned, livewells/baitwells are notorious for sinking boats. I tore mine out and permanently plugged them. Another thing is overloading the stern of a boat.
Article first time published onHow does livewell drain?
You can take a look at the livewell pump to see how it’s plumbed, but the livewell will probably drain out back through the pump when it’s out of the water. There could possibly be a valve inline to turn off flow through the drain/fill hose near the pump also, but you’ll see it when you look at the pump.
What does it mean to splash a boat?
(nautical) To reverse-engineer the hull of a boat by making a cast of it. quotations ▼
What is a transom livewell?
Product Overview. Transom-mounted aerator pumps provide your livewell with professional aeration without needing to install a pump through your hull. The unique quick-release pump with strainer base assembly snaps easily into the provided transom bracket. At the end of the day, the pump can be removed for storage.
What does an aerator do on a bass boat?
Separate pumps power the aeration system of the well. Recirculation. Most bass boats also have the capability of “recirculating” the water that’s pumped into the well, with aeration, which allows the boat to be run at high speed or hauled on a trailer without losing the water in the well.
How do you keep water out of Livewells?
Put expansion plugs in the holes on the outside of the boat for both the livewell fill or the pump as well as the livewell drain. Plug the holes from the outside and you will be good to go.
How do you test a livewell water pump?
To test it at home, use your garden hose to fill the livewell and then first test your aerator. Once that is done test your recalculate – what will happen you will end up pumping the water out of the livewell (since your boat is not in the water and your intake is under the water line).
How big is a livewell?
Dual livewells should have a volume of at least 15 gallons each and a single, divided livewell should hold at least 30 gallons. In many states and provinces the practice of culling (replacing a fish already in the livewell with another fish) is legal.
Will a bilge pump work as an aerator?
The small Bilge pumps we use on a boat to pump water out of the hull could work to aerate your tank. It is powered by a 12V battery. Hang the pump in your display tank or sump, with a outlet pipe into your DT. Lift it out of the water.
Can you run a livewell pump dry?
Open sea cock before running pump, do not run pump dry. … Pump will fill tank faster while boat is running at higher speeds. General tank fill times are between 7 minutes [warmer water] and 10 minutes [colder water].
How many GPH does a livewell need?
Livewell pump capacity is a major factor affecting aeration • efficiency. Pumps should move at least 500 gallons of water per hour (gph) to assure maximum aeration. Replace existing pumps if they do not deliver at least 500 gph per livewell.
Where is the bilge pump?
Where are Bilge Pumps Located? Bilge pumps for boats should be mounted in the lowest part of your bilge. This is where it will be able to collect and pump the most water. If you have a secondary bilge pump it may be located a little higher up.
What is the meaning of aeration pump?
Aeration is a process where air is circulated with, mixed with or dissolved in the hydraulic fluid. … It is created when air leaks into the system through the pump seals, pipe fittings and unions, which are all areas where air leakage is common.
How much is an aerobic system?
Aerobic systems are much more complicated than anaerobic systems and can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to install.
Is water in a boat bilge normal?
This is normal and should not be a cause for concern as long as the water does not keep entering the boat. As long as the bilge pump is not running often, the amount of water in the bilge should be safe.