The Ultimate DIY Fish Condo: Building Your Own 55 Gallon Drum Livewell
Hey there, fellow anglers! Ever found yourself staring at a magnificent catch, or a bucket full of lively bait, and wondering how on earth you're going to keep them happy and healthy until it's time to head home or weigh in? Or maybe you've priced out those fancy, store-bought livewells and your wallet just about had a heart attack. If either of those sounds familiar, then you're in the right place, because today we're diving deep into the fantastic, budget-friendly, and surprisingly effective world of the 55 gallon drum livewell.
Let's be honest, keeping fish alive and frisky isn't just about ethical angling; it's crucial for tournament success, ensuring your bait stays active, and frankly, just makes for a better day on the water. A good livewell is a game-changer. And while custom-built systems can cost an arm and a leg, a robust 55-gallon drum can be transformed into a high-capacity, high-performance fish haven for a fraction of the price. It's a project that's incredibly satisfying, super practical, and surprisingly straightforward if you know the ropes. So, grab a coffee, and let's talk about turning a humble barrel into a bona fide aquatic apartment for your finned friends.
Why a 55-Gallon Drum? The Unsung Hero of DIY Livewells
You might be thinking, "A drum? Really?" And my answer is a resounding, "Heck yeah!" There are some seriously compelling reasons why a 55-gallon plastic drum is practically perfect for this job:
- Size Matters (a Lot!): Fifty-five gallons is a fantastic volume. It's big enough to hold a substantial amount of bait – think dozens of shrimp, shiners, or even mackerel – and spacious enough for a few decent-sized game fish without overcrowding. More water means more stable temperatures and less stress for your aquatic cargo.
- Built Like a Tank: These drums are typically made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is incredibly durable, impact-resistant, and can take a serious beating. They're designed for industrial use, so they can certainly handle a bumpy boat ride or a few seasons of fishing abuse.
- Wallet-Friendly: This is a big one. You can often find food-grade 55-gallon drums for free or for a minimal cost from food processing plants, beverage distributors, farms (think molasses or syrup drums), or even on Craigslist. Compare that to the hundreds, if not thousands, you'd spend on a commercial fiberglass unit!
- Surprisingly Versatile: Once you start building, you'll realize just how adaptable these drums are. You can customize them for specific types of fish, different boat layouts, or even make them portable for shore fishing or kayak trips (though 55 gallons is a bit much for a kayak, admittedly!).
Crucial Note: Always, always make sure you're getting a food-grade plastic drum. You want to know what was in it before, and ideally, it should have contained something non-toxic like juice concentrate, syrup, or purified water. Avoid drums that held chemicals, oils, or anything you wouldn't want near your fish or your food. When in doubt, pass on it. Safety first, folks!
Planning Your Build: More Than Just a Barrel
Before you start drilling holes willy-nilly, let's lay out the essential components you'll need. Think of this as the blueprint for your fish hotel.
- The Drum Itself: Obviously, our star player.
- Water Pump: You'll need a submersible 12V marine bilge pump. Look for one with a decent GPH (gallons per hour) rating – something in the 500-1000 GPH range should be good for circulating water in a 55-gallon drum.
- Aeration/Circulation System: This is how your fish breathe! A simple spray bar or an air stone connected to a small air pump are common choices.
- Drainage System: Crucial for water exchange and emptying. You'll want an overflow drain to keep the water level consistent and a main drain for emptying the whole thing.
- Lid: You'll need a secure, accessible lid. Hinges and latches are your friends here.
- Fittings and Hoses: Bulkhead fittings, PVC pipe, elbows, hose clamps, and flexible tubing.
- Power Source: A 12V marine battery, or connect it to your boat's existing electrical system (with proper fusing, of course!).
- Tools: A drill, various hole saws, a utility knife, marine-grade silicone sealant, and maybe a heat gun for shaping PVC if you get fancy.
The Build Process: Step-by-Step
Alright, let's get our hands dirty and turn that drum into a livewell!
Cleaning Your Drum
This step is absolutely non-negotiable. Even if your drum held potable water, give it a thorough scrub. Use dish soap, hot water, and a good stiff brush. For extra peace of mind, a diluted bleach solution (then rinsed extremely thoroughly with fresh water) can help sterilize it. Let it air dry completely, preferably in the sun for a day or two, to ensure no chemical residues linger. Trust me, your fish will thank you.
Installing the Pump and Intake
Your pump needs to sit at the bottom of the drum to draw water. I usually recommend mounting it inside the drum, low down, but you can also rig it externally to draw water from the bottom via a bulkhead fitting. If you're drawing water from outside the boat into the livewell, you'll need a thru-hull intake and a hose connecting it to your pump. For a simpler, more portable setup, the pump can sit directly in the livewell, recirculating water or using a simple hose dropped over the side of the boat for fresh water intake. Wiring should be marine-grade, crimped, sealed, and fused appropriately.
Designing Your Circulation System
This is where the magic happens for your fish. * Spray Bar: A popular choice! Take a length of 1/2" or 3/4" PVC pipe, cap one end, and drill a series of small holes (1/8" to 1/4") along one side. Connect the other end to your pump via a flexible hose. Mount this near the top, pointing slightly downwards. The spray creates a gentle current, introduces oxygen, and keeps the water from becoming stagnant. * Air Stone: For extra aeration, particularly for sensitive baitfish, you can add an air stone connected to a small 12V air pump. This provides a constant stream of fine bubbles, saturating the water with oxygen. Many anglers combine both for optimal conditions.
The All-Important Drainage
You need two types of drains: * Overflow Drain: This is critical for constant water exchange and maintaining water quality. Drill a hole near the top of the drum (but below the lip of your lid) and install a screened bulkhead fitting. Connect a hose from this fitting that leads overboard. This allows fresh water to flow in and old water to flow out, especially important when running your pump constantly. The screen prevents fish or bait from escaping. * Main Drain: For emptying the livewell at the end of the day. Drill a hole at the very bottom of the drum. Install a bulkhead fitting and attach a ball valve or a simple plug. Make sure it's accessible and can be opened easily to completely drain the drum. Again, a screen inside is a good idea to prevent fish from getting sucked into the drain.
Adding the Finishing Touches
- Lid Modifications: A hinged lid makes access a breeze. You can cut the drum's original lid in half, hinge one side, and add latches to keep it secure. Some folks even insulate the lid with foam board or reflective material to help regulate temperature.
- Insulation (Optional but Recommended): In hot climates, insulation can be a lifesaver for your fish. You can wrap the outside of the drum with foam pipe insulation, reflective bubble wrap, or even build a simple wooden frame around it and fill the gaps with spray foam.
- Mounting and Securing: A full 55-gallon drum is incredibly heavy and can be a serious hazard if it shifts. Use strong straps, bungee cords, or custom tie-downs to secure your livewell to your boat. You don't want it sliding around or, worse, tipping over in choppy water.
Tips for Optimizing Your 55 Gallon Drum Livewell
Building it is half the battle; maintaining it is the other. Here are some pro tips:
- Water Quality is King: Keep that water clean! Run your pump regularly for water exchange, especially if you have a lot of fish or are fishing in dirty water.
- Avoid Overcrowding: It's tempting to cram in as many fish as possible, but overcrowding stresses them, depletes oxygen faster, and leads to ammonia buildup. Give your fish room to swim.
- Temperature Control: Fish are sensitive to rapid temperature changes. In hot weather, a frozen water bottle or a small block of ice (made from non-chlorinated water!) can slowly cool the water. Avoid dumping in loose ice directly, as the meltwater can introduce chlorine or other impurities.
- Consider a Saltwater Additive: For many freshwater and saltwater species, adding a livewell treatment (available at tackle shops) can help reduce stress, replace lost slime coat, and neutralize ammonia.
- Cleanliness After Use: Once you're done fishing, drain the livewell completely, give it a good rinse, and let it air dry. This prevents algae buildup and keeps things fresh for your next trip.
Pros and Cons: Is It Right for You?
Like any DIY project, there are upsides and downsides to a 55-gallon drum livewell.
Pros
- Seriously Cost-Effective: You can build a fantastic livewell for under $100-$200, compared to $500+ for commercial units.
- High Capacity: Perfect for tournaments, large hauls of bait, or keeping bigger fish.
- Durable as Heck: It'll withstand years of abuse.
- Customizable: You design it to fit your needs.
Cons
- Bulkiness: A 55-gallon drum takes up a good chunk of deck space, making it less ideal for very small boats.
- Weight: When full, it's over 450 pounds! This affects stability and fuel economy on smaller vessels.
- Aesthetics: Let's be real, a blue or white plastic drum isn't going to win any beauty contests on a pristine sportfisher (though you can paint them!).
- DIY Effort: It requires some time and basic handyman skills, but honestly, it's a very approachable project.
Conclusion
There you have it – the ins and outs of building a robust, efficient, and incredibly affordable 55 gallon drum livewell. It's a project that not only saves you a significant amount of money but also gives you the satisfaction of knowing you built something practical with your own hands. More importantly, it ensures your bait stays lively and your catch remains healthy, whether you're heading to the weigh station or just back to the dock.
So, if you're an angler who values ingenuity, thriftiness, and the well-being of your fish, give this project a serious look. You might just find that your new DIY livewell becomes one of your most prized pieces of fishing gear. Happy building, and even happier fishing!