putting together a fresh water aquarium

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My dad and I were hoping to put together a fresh water aquarium with fish from the lake we live on.  Our hope was to catch minnows and set up a smaller version of our lake to keep  at our house.  We have sunfish, bass, perch and we had thought of including a crayfish.  Would you be able to advise me on how to keep the fish healthy in an aquarium, as in what they might eat, and a proper water filter?  

Thank you so much,

Maya

ANSWER: Hello,

Very interesting idea. Well first off you well need a huge fish tank, like 100 Gallons+, and also you need to get a water check of that lake and then follow the pH and ammonia and everything from the water they are in. Are you close to this lake?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We're about 10 minutes to the lake, and are actually living there part time at the moment.  Would you still recommend such a large tank even if we only put in minnows?
Thanks for the help, Maya

Answer
you could try a 55 gallon tank, although it is not the tank that is expensive it is the stuff that go in it wich you are going to have to buy anyways. and sames your ten min. away from the lake I would just suggest taking water right out of the lake itself and use that water sames it is where they came from. This would be the healthyest for the fish.