Aerator Features

The aerator system is our own proprietary design (patent pending) that mixes air from outside of the tank with the water, producing millions of micro bubbles. These micro bubbles are absorbed into the water replacing the air that the bait has sucked out. Also, as the bubbles break the surface they release harmful gases that they have absorbed from the water.

The design was based on using a 500GPH pump because this size pump has a much lower amp draw than say a 700 or 800 GPH pump, which will result in longer battery life. The Creek Bank aerator does not build up a lot of back pressure on the pump, thus extending the pump life, and has an unrestricted smooth outflow into the main tank. Because the air mixes with the water right at the point of discharge, the air bubbles will stay smaller and not combine together into larger bubbles. Smaller bubbles stay suspended underwater longer thus allowing more oxygen to be absorbed into the water. Also, because the air is not mixed with the water at the pump impeller, you won’t get any pump surge which will extend the pump life and it is much quieter.

The Creek Bank aerator was designed with some adjustability to the flow. The flow rate has been factory set to the maximum setting (see figure 1). The end of the nylon elbow is flush with the inside of the aerator allowing maximum water flow and air to the tank. As long as your bait are medium size and up, you shouldn't have a problem.

If your bait are on the small size, you may want to reduce the flow of water to the tank so they don't look like they are taking a ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl. By screwing the nylon fitting into the aerator further (see figure 2), it restricts the amount of water flow going through the aerator resulting in a reduced circular flow of water in the tank. NOTE: By reducing the water flow you will also be reducing the amount of air that is mixed with the water. Remember, the more water flowing through the aerator results in more air being mixed with the water. Do not screw the fitting closer than 1/8” to the top piece of the aerator. Closer than 1/8” could result in damage to the pump.

The aerator is located near the bottom of the tank and angled slightly downward. By aiming it towards the bottom of the tank, as the air bubbles come out of the aerator they travel down before heading to the surface. This allows the bubbles to stay in the water a little longer giving them more time to be absorbed into the water.

Regardless of how hard you try, sooner or later a piece of debris will get stuck in the aerator causing it to produce less or no air at all. Water will still flow out but the amount of air will be reduced. To clean debris that has become lodged in the venturi section of the aerator, turn off the pump and using a little force, slide the top of the aerator to the middle of the tank (toward the water intake). Remove any debris and slide the top piece back into place until you feel a little “click”. Turn the pump back on and the aerator should again be working properly. The air is supplied from outside the tank through a small opening in the air inlet fitting. Make sure when placing the tank in position you do not restrict the flow through the opening.

Also, notice that the water intake in the tank is not flat. In the event that bait dies and sinks to the bottom, and gets sucked up against the return inlet, the curved shape of the intake will allow the bait to be pushed off by the flow in the tank and won't stop the flow.

PRO STAFF NEWS

PRO STAFF research & development members have tried using a 360 GPH pump with smaller bait for a reduced circular flow in the tank but with almost the same amount of air as the 500 GPH pump. They have also reduced the total amp draw on the battery. You might want to give it a try.

AERATOR PUMP OUT FITTING

Some of you might not want to use the drain plug to empty your tank because you have carpet on the deck of your boat or maybe an aluminum boat and don't want the salt water on it. You could dip it out with a bucket or unhook the pump and hook up another hose to empty the tank, but what a pain. Well, it's not a problem now.

We have made draining your tank easier. Included with each tank is a nylon fitting that will fit in the aerator and pump out the tank. You will need a piece of hose to connect to the fitting and go over the side or back of the boat. We went to Lowe's and found a 10' piece of clear vinyl hose that is 5/8" OD x ½" ID that was about $3.00. If you need a longer piece they also sell it by the foot. This hose can probably be found elsewhere and it doesn't need to be clear. Slide the hose onto one end of the fitting. If you use a ½” ID hose you probably won't need a clamp.

Remove the top off the aerator by sliding it toward the center of the tank.

With the hose installed, push the other end of the fitting into the fitting inside the aerator (the hole that the water comes out of). It will only go in as far as the first ring on the hose fitting.

Put the other end of the hose over the side of the boat and turn the pump on. To completely drain the tank, you will need to remove the stand pipe that the filter fits on. When the tank is empty, remove the fitting from the aerator and slide the top back in place.

A close up view of the fitting installed in the aerator.

"Thanks for a great product. We would not have caught the fish we did last weekend without your tank, nor would we have been able to keep a 41 pound striper alive for over 2 hours without the extra 50 gallon tank in the boat".

David Cleveland - Team "Last Chance"