IP camera underwater?

[karimwassef]

I have my cam mounted over my tank. I can tilt and rotate so I can see the full 8' x 3' surface.

Surface waves and reflections from my light fixtures complicate it though. I have to stop all action and go to dim lighting to see some parts clearly.

So....

How about a clear plastic camera cover (dome) and a cylinder that the camera can sit in and literally be submerged towards the tank front (above most viewing zones).

Has anyone else done this?

Taking it a step further... How about putting it on a linear actuator that raises and lowers the camera in and out...?

 

[billdogg]

I made a viewing/photo box for my camera using a short length of 3"pvc and a scrap of acrylic as the window. Works great, cost, well, nothing - it was all scrap I had laying around.

 

[intyme]

I use the same as billdogs, but mines 4" pvc and I sprayed it black

 

[karimwassef]

Woohoo. Figured you guys had tried this already.

Was this permanently underwater or just occasionally submerged?

 

[karimwassef]

Mine tilts though so I need a dome but I was planning on PVC for the body too.

So how did you mount the camera? Can you remove it for servicing?

Mine has a threaded bottom so I was planning on a long threaded pipe inside the PVC tube.

 

[billdogg]

I tapped mine for nylon thumbscrews. (And I painted it flat black on the inside, gloss black on the outside )

 

[karimwassef]

Got pics??

 

[James12345]

Sounds cool! Cant wait to see

 

[billdogg]

Yes, but the IT people here have blocked photobucket. will post when I get home.

 

[karimwassef]

Hmm. Since mine is wireless, I'm sure the saltwater surface will act as a conductive ground layer ... May have to go wired or extend the antenna.

 

[mcgyvr]

You just need an open topped clear box (dry inside the box) just shallow enough to get the lens below the water.

May not effect the wifi that much if only slightly below the water level..
Wired would solve that problem though..

 

[billdogg]

here's a picture of what I did for my camera - I made two - one for wider angle, one for closeups. I made the unpainted one first, then found that I need a shorter one for wide angle so that the sides of the tube didn't block the view. That's also when I took the opportunity to paint it flat black on the inside to cut down on glare.

 

[karimwassef]

Can you show it mounted?

 

[karimwassef]

Here's mine. It's a foscam 9821

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/349ECE0C-429E-4C94-A810-CF21E60C198C.png_zpsbvg8ssqq.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/349ECE0C-429E-4C94-A810-CF21E60C198C.png_zpsbvg8ssqq.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo 349ECE0C-429E-4C94-A810-CF21E60C198C.png_zpsbvg8ssqq.jpeg"/></a>

 

[dbl]

Karimwassef...please tell me you love your Foscam. I just ordered a 9826P.

 

[karimwassef]

I do. It was pretty easy to set up. Not sure it it was the cam or my router, but they play well together.

 

[dbl]

Great. Thanks and I only hope it is easy for me too!

 

[CuzzA]

I thought about doing something like this, but sealing any open/connected/cracked area with silicone and mounting it in my canopy and having the dome submerged. What do you think?

http://foscam.us/foscam-fi9828p-ptz-wireless-ip-camera.html?gclid=CN3ppsyGu8UCFZEXHwodySMA5Q

 

[tkeracer619]

Not sure if you would be able to focus under water with the domed lens. I know my gopro can't unless the lens is flat.


Get one of these

http://viewintotheblue.com/

 

[CuzzA]

Yes, I've seen those. Very cool and very expensive I'm sure. Honestly, I haven't added a camera because I'm not sure if the cost would be justified. Would I actually use it??? Perhaps I could throw a cheap tv on the wall in my office and stream my tank to it. Then I could have a tank in my office without the maintenance and justify the cost.