live well over flow drain

[jiml100]

91 tracker bass boat has older 2 hole livewell one fill and one bottom drain with standpipe for water level, work terrible because drain goes uphill to where it exits... putting in top edge water level drain what size fittings to use ? 3/4 or 1 1/8 ? thru hulls. didnt know if 3/4 would drain fast enough to keep up with pump, 500 gph

 

[Fireman431]

Re: live well over flow drain

The 3/4 should be fine because the water inlet into the livewell is supposed to have a reducing valve on it so you can match the incoming water flow to that of the outgoing flow.

Looks like this:

 

[Bondo]

Re: live well over flow drain

and one bottom drain with standpipe for water level, work terrible because drain goes uphill to where it exits...

Ayuh,... Fixin' the standpipe drain makes more sense, as anything but a standpipe drain, will get plugged when the bait tries to excape, 'n they Will...

 

[R Socey]

Re: live well over flow drain

My old 17, gal livewell with 750gph pump - intake at bottom 3/4"
spill out at top, would not keep up with the flow, and the water would spill out of the lid - had to use a regulator valve to diminish
the flow. Trying to do a custom job on my new boat to avoid a
similar situation - started Help With Plumbing thread. Good Luck!

 

[5150abf]

Re: live well over flow drain

I have a 3/4 drain with a 500 pump and it is just about right, get a screen to cover the drain and it will keep bait from getting in it.

Or you could do as Bond-o suggests and just add a thru hull in the correct place, you can just leave the old fitting inn the hull and no one will ever know.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: live well over flow drain

Or do the really simple thing and add a timer to the pump motor. It doesn't have to run continuously to keep bait/fish alive. Select RUN (continuous) to fill the tank, then switch to AUTO. Pump is off for three minutes and then runs for 30 seconds. Some are even adjustable for ON/OFF times. No danger whatsoever of the pump overrunning the standpipe. I also agree that there should be an adjustment on the fill port or spray bar depending on what you have.

 

[Fed]

Re: live well over flow drain

Jim the water will run uphill so long as the top of your standpipe is higher than your drainhose and exit. Sounds like you're pumping faster than you're draining, get a tap to regulate it.

 

[Outsider]

Re: live well over flow drain

If you're gonna install a high overflow, do a 1 1/8". 3/4" is marginal, at best, with anything but a 300 gph pump ...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: live well over flow drain

Sounds like you're pumping faster than you're draining, get a tap to regulate it.

Refer to post #2. That's why I mentioned to put that valve on there. They are supposed to be there to regulate the flow of incoming water to match your overflow. I wouldn't bother with a timer. Really much more of a hassle than it's worth.

 

[jiml100]

Re: live well over flow drain

putting a valve on the inlet side wont hurt the pump at all with back pressure ?

 

[sasto]

Re: live well over flow drain

The airator valve that's been suggested goes on the outlet to the livewell. I suppose your using shiners? If so they will love the airated water from the adjustable valve. Keep your tube holes free of scales if using shiners. I would also blast the overflow after every use with a garden hose, they can get nasty with your set-up. Good Fishing!

 

[Fed]

Re: live well over flow drain

Will blocking the pump overload it?

No jim, blocking the flow will unload the pump which is why I prefer it to a timer.
Think of the pump like a vacume cleaner, block the hose and the motor will speed up because it's moving less air which means it's doing less work.

 

[dingbat]

Re: live well over flow drain

I have a 800GPH pump and a 1 1/2" thru hull for the out flow.