Keeping minnow's and crayfish?

[iamzrad]

I live in upper Maryland and have plenty of streams in my backyard property. When I was younger, my brother and I used to go out, catch some small minnows (4" or so) and collect crayfish and frogs.

I would really like to setup a 55gal of what is found in the streams, (fish and cray, plants, only though, no frogs).

We see the 100s in July and below 20s in January/February, so the water temp obviously fluctuates greatly.

Would I be okay just to leave the temperature at room temp? Maybe that will average it out. Or should I purchase a cooler and keep the temp around or below 60.

Any advice on this?

 

[Bottomfeeder]

you cant keep minnows with crayfish
bluegills with crayfish, maybe

 

[iamzrad]

I just went down to grab some water samples, and here are some results,

pH- 6.0-6.3
Nitrite- 1ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
Ammonia .8-1.2ppm
Water temperature, 48-50degrees


*Worth even trying to set this up?

 

[klmt]

room temp is fine, and yes you can keep minnows with crays, you may lose one here and there, but they are naturally weary of the crays, and the crays i have work as great tank cleanup crew, and are really cool. they are easy to feed they don't need to be fed every day but i use algae wafers. but find out what type of minnows are in there. and good luck

 

[iamzrad]

I set up two minnow traps tonight, will check tomorrow after work and hopefully snap a picture for identification.
Maybe something interesting will be lured, who knows...

 

[Bottomfeeder]

I set up two minnow traps tonight, will check tomorrow after work and hopefully snap a picture for identification.
Maybe something interesting will be lured, who knows...

 

[JIM]

What youre doing is exactly what this hobby is about. You seem to be very excited about this setup and i for one am happy for you. As far as the crays eating or killing the minnows, That is a fact of life, and happens in nature as well. Minnows are easily replaced, but keep your crays fed and maybe they wont go after the minnows so much, I feed mine an earthworm about two or three times a week and whatever else the get is on their own. The temp is not a big concern, im assumeing this tank is inside your house and will be at room temp which is fine. Have a good time and keep us updated
I would also add that unless thee streams are on your property you should check with the local DNR about what is required for you to collect natives of any kind in your area, and in some cases keep them.

 

[iamzrad]

These are mostly random streams and runoffs from lakes and ponds.
At one stream, if you go to where it empties out of a lake, you can get some big fish (9"+).

Yes, the aquarium is inside my house. I set it up yesterday (had the filter going for weeks) and will be putting in some rocks and giving it a magnum 350 as well.

The water was around 55-60degrees when I was filling it yesterday.
If it gets warmer than 60, I'll have to see how the fish are acting and maybe purchase a cooler or something.

Oh, I am excited
This is at my parents house, so my dad will be surprised to see what I have setup, he will be shocked! lol

 

[gar man]

keep us updated man this will be kool

 

[iamzrad]

I expected a little less than I actually caught, got 25 overnight! lol

I kept two medium ones and two small ones. Rest back to the stream.
Looking online, they look like Northern Fathead's.
Seems like I got bait fish! lol