The Captain's Cabin
Aquarium and fishkeeping
I kept tanks for over ten years, took a year off, and am now back at it and rebuilding from scratch since none of the old gear came with me. The filter cartridges and food here were repeat purchases across those years; the kits and starter gear are what I am working through for the new setup.
Not photographed yet12
Picks I have not photographed yet. Each is labeled owned or shortlist, and each fits a gap I can name.
- Fluval C4 Power FilterView on AmazonUsed for yearsRan this exact filter, and bought its carbon refills more than once, through most of my ten years in the hobby.
- Tetra Goldfish Flakes, 2.2 Pound BucketView on AmazonUsed for yearsBought this bucket on repeat for years while the goldfish tank was running, because the tiny containers run out fast.
- Marineland Penguin Power Filter Cartridge, Rite-Size CView on AmazonUsed for yearsA repeat buy for years. Swapping the cartridge on a schedule is the boring part of fishkeeping that actually keeps the tank healthy.
- View on Amazon
- Tetra Complete 10 Gallon Aquarium KitView on AmazonShortlistTop of my restart list. After ten years of matching filters and heaters to tanks by hand, a kit that does it in one box is the fast way back in, and it is what I point first-time fishkeepers at too.
- Aqueon MiniBow Desktop Aquarium KitView on AmazonShortlistOn the restart list for the desk, which is the only spot a second tank would fit here.
- Seachem Prime Water ConditionerView on AmazonShortlistFirst bottle on my restart list. It makes tap water safe before it goes in the tank.
- hygger 800GPH Submersible Water Pump with ControllerView on AmazonShortlistA controllable return pump for a sump or bigger tank, the piece a small-tank kit never includes.
- SELSIL Aquarium Silicone SealantView on AmazonShortlistThe right silicone for tank repairs and DIY sumps, not the bathroom kind with mildew additives.
- driamor Acrylic Aquarium Light RiserView on AmazonShortlistLifts a clip-on or slim LED off the rim so it clears a lid and stops the water spots.
- 1DFAUL Aquarium GlueView on AmazonShortlistGel super glue that is safe for planted tanks, for sticking moss and anubias to rock and driftwood.
- Ameliade Betta Rock CaveView on AmazonShortlistA cheap hide for a betta or a shy fish, which is the one thing every starter kit forgets.