How to Install a Livewell Aerator Pump

When fishing for long periods of time on a boat with live bait, it's important to keep the bait alive. To do so, many fisherman install bait wells, or livewells, on their boats. A livewell uses an aerator pump to keep bait fish alive. Livewell aerator pumps essentially work in the same way that aquarium pump and filters work. Aerator pumps can be bought at most marine shops and take from one to two hours to install.

Things You'll Need

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • O-rings
  • Adjustable wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach the mounting brackets to the side of the aerator with a screwdriver and then mount the aerator to the side of the livewell.

    • 2

      Attach the air hose to the nozzle on the side of the aerator pump.

    • 3

      Attach the clamp to the other end of the hose and then lower it into the livewell. Use the clamp to attach it to the bottom lip of the tank.

    • 4

      Plug the pump into an electric socket if the pump has a 120-volt plug. If the aerator pump's wire is designed to fit to a marine battery, attach O-rings to the ends of both wires, loosen the negative and positive battery cables on the boat with an adjustable wrench and connect the O-rings to the respective battery terminals. Replace the positive and negative battery cables after the O-rings have been attached.

    • 5

      Turn the aerator pump on to test it.