Online viewing: Do you have a web camera for your aquarium?

Dave-T · Apr 4, 2023

I’d like one that I could mount to my tank when I’m away, so my house sitter doesn’t feel like I’m spying on him. Anyone know what this one is:

BrettE · Apr 4, 2023

bradleym said:
I have a cheap, $20 web cam to watch my anemone incubator basket. It works OK, but I really wish I could find one with a shorter focal distance. The anemones I am checking on are small and I lose a lot of details at 3+ feet.

I bought a Logitech c270 ($20-30) for my 3D printer, and printed this focusing do-dad:

Improved Logitech c270 Manual Focus System by codiac2600

Thanks to Vecko for recreating each part in step so I could rework the focuser so it uses a STANDARD M3 8mm length screw vs the I have no idea screw from the original. I'm including the Fusion 360 file so you too can make adjustments. Basically this makes it so you can easily manually focus you...

www.thingiverse.com

It's not amazingly sharp, but for a $20 webcam it isn't half bad.

exnisstech · Apr 4, 2023

Other here. I did have but now that I'm retired I just sit and watch anytime I like. I didn't really find myself using it much when I was working. Probable because I was an auto tech working flat rate so there was no money being made if I was playing around on my phone or laptop.

jc1994 · Apr 28, 2023

I brand I have always used and found to work really well is tapo by tp link. The cameras are of decent quality and you can also use smart plugs and lights on the app

Globe182jp · Jun 30, 2023

Lbrdsoxfan said:
Yup, I travel too much for work. Approx 100+ days a year on average.

Display and sump cams.

What camera do you use? Filters?

Aquariumaddictuk · Jun 30, 2023

jc1994 said:
I brand I have always used and found to work really well is tapo by tp link. The cameras are of decent quality and you can also use smart plugs and lights on the app

I use these myself.very reliable, good clear app & about £20 cheaper than the reef factory alternative

Lbrdsoxfan · Jun 30, 2023

Globe182jp said:
What camera do you use? Filters?

No filters. I'm not a blue light guy with displays, hate the windex look.

TETHYS Wireless Security Camera 1080P Indoor [Work with Alexa] Pan/Tilt WiFi Smart IP Camera Dome Surveillance System w/Night Vision,Motion Detection,2-Way Audio,Cloud for Home,Business, Baby Monitor https://a.co/d/9NoTnAH

Globe182jp · Jun 30, 2023

How far from the tank is your setup?

captpetefl · Oct 9, 2023

I spent a TON of time researching how I could do that with a GoPro Hero 8, which is NOT the best choice, but I’m pretty happy with the end result!

All_talk · Oct 10, 2023

captpetefl said:
I spent a TON of time researching how I could do that with a GoPro Hero 8, which is NOT the best choice, but I’m pretty happy with the end result!

Very nice. What is your upload/hosting solution?

I am currently only viewing my cameras through the manufactures app. I wouldn't mind setting up a public stream but I'm on Starlink and stuck behind a CGnat. All the options I dug into were complicated and expensive.

nuxx · Oct 10, 2023

Can't remember the brand of camera I had, but was kind of a pain to setup esp. when IP changed.

We have Amazon Blinks all around the house now, so easy to setup and what I'd use now...

Gumbies R Us · Oct 10, 2023

captpetefl said:
I spent a TON of time researching how I could do that with a GoPro Hero 8, which is NOT the best choice, but I’m pretty happy with the end result!

Cool that you got a gopro to work!

14 foot reef · Oct 10, 2023

8 Wize Cams and 1 nest cam.

May the Haters start hating on Wyze.

captpetefl · Oct 10, 2023

All_talk said:
Very nice. What is your upload/hosting solution?

I am currently only viewing my cameras through the manufactures app. I wouldn't mind setting up a public stream but I'm on Starlink and stuck behind a CGnat. All the options I dug into were complicated and expensive.

Most streaming cams come with an app to feed to YouTube or other site. I use an extra iPhone on a charger near the setup to stream 24/7 (that’s all I use that phone for). Muted streaming is tricky, but buy a cheap external mic and cut the wire. As long as a plug is in the GoPro it will be muted. That’s the only way I could find, too. Harder than you think to mute a stream on a GoPro!

Karliefish · Nov 1, 2023

o2manyfish said:
I used to be gone for work for long periods. I "invested" in a broadcast quality web cam. Mine is an Axis V5915 with full PTZ, auto white balance, and a 20x optical zoom. I used it to enjoy my tank while I was away from home.

With it's built in web-server I put it on the web to share my tank with anyone interested. You can check it out at o2manyfish.com --- Tank lights aren't on till 4pm PST.

It's neat to check the camera logs and see people logging in from around the world. We avg about 100 people a day and that number doubles on the weekends. If I do a good youtube update on the tank then the daily views can hit 1000.

I then took the web-cams feed and integrated it into our security camera system. In our theater, living room, kitchen, master bedroom we have 32" monitors showing the security cameras, and one of those feeds is the reef tank.

Now that I am retired and don't travel for work anymore I get to enjoy my tank from more rooms in the house than just the room the tank is viewable.

For when things go wrong, the PTZ has been invaluable. We were on an Alaskan cruise when there was an 8hr power outage. Fish loss was over 100 fish. Using the camera we were able to guide the house sitter to a majority of the bodies to remove them from the tank.

In addition to the Axis camera on the main 750g tank, I have 5 standard 4mp security cameras on the outdoor frag tanks and the outdoor filter wall so I can keep track of everything, whether at home or away.

The Axis is probably outside of most people's budgets for a webcam, but it's an amazing camera and for me has been well worth the investment.

Dave B

Would love to talk with you about your camera.