Reef Web Cams!

P

PaulieWalnuts

New member
i have seen a few people on here have reef cams to watch if your bored at work or want to keep an eye on it when you out of town..

could every that has one post a link to theres and or tell me the web cam they use and what website service...also if there is a lag in the video or if it updates every few mins or if it is live and nice flowing...i have read that network web cams can run even if your computer is off and do not lag.

thanks for sharing
-matt
 
Sounds like a really good idea. I am interested in this too. Would you put the camera on the display or in the sump area where things are potentially more likely to go wrong?
 
that is a great point...why not both...web cams are pretty affordable or some of them have a zoom feature that you might be able to control remotely.i am good with some computer stuff but others can tell us how to i am sure..or just buy another camera for the sump...considering how much coral and lights and pumps cost lol...i have a flat screen tv that is about 5 or so feet from my tank and i was thinking of mounting the cam on the tv...also some cameras have a night vision mode which would be cool when the lights are off and away because then you would be able to watch it then..also have a nice peace of mind knowing it is ok. I often worry about it when i go on a trip and leave it in the hands of a trusted friend. there is only so much we can expect from someone not in this hobby. And if we see a problem arising-such as a fish died (lets hope not) or something we can address and before it can lead to more problems. A sump camera or just zoomed out is a great idea...if you do not have auto top off like my self we have to add fresh water a lot or the pump will burn out so that can be monitored and the skimmer cup over flowing. most skimmers have a drain tube but what if someone did not and all that waste went back into the tank of into the stand.

sorry i typed so much a lot of stuff came to mind...please everyone post more ideas and benefits to having one.
 
I have a tv right next to my tank too what would make a perfect stand. I hope some people around here have had some experience with this.
 
i will post a pic..using my PS3 camera as the example cam...which i might be able to use bacause you can access a PS3 remotely.

but pic will be up in 2 mins
 
did you ask what would make a perfect stand or it would make a perfect stand...here is the pic the cords are not alway like that...and i am building a new sump/refuge with that tank you see in the next room. this tank in the pic was not drilled and i wanted a drilled for CL and return...anyways thats off topic her is the pics and the camera...on the TV nothing holding it up there...a small piece of tape would do the trick though.

DSCN0956.jpg


don't joke my dust on my TV lol the screen is clear that is what counts.

DSCN0951.jpg
 
Camera

Camera

I use a VIVOTEK FD7131.

Here is a link below. This is a live video feed. It isn't always plugged in and the tank it is pointing at is on its way out. So don't judge the tank quaility If you catch it while it is running good for you. If it isn't plugged in right now check back later. :) Camera is usually plugged in after 7pm CST.

Oh...You are better off putting this into quicktime player and opening the URL that way. Two different potential URLs here. I think they are correct but if they are wrong I will update them later.

Stream 2 works best on mobile phones. (When it is plugged in) :)

rstp://12.206.46.122/live.sdp (higher res)
rstp://12.206.46.122/live2.sdp (phone quality - still good)

P.S. You may catch a glimse of my wife working on the new tank or my cat trying to get in the new sump. It is a 180 gallon just to the right of the camera.

Thanks,

Doug
 
Last edited:
I plugged the camera in. You need to open those links in the latest version of quicktime. It is pretty cool stuff.

When I move it to the 180 gallon I will zoom it in better. :)
 
Almost any camera will work. Most of the bottleneck happens at the ISP. The cost of the camera will depend on where you need a computer to run it. The usb cameras cost less but require a PC near by. Where as an IP camera will cost a lot more, but will not require a PC, just a network connection (wireless or CAT). As far as a service provider, if its an IP camera chances are it has a built in web server and you could just web to it. If running a windows PC, you can install IIS and host your own site.
 
I use a wireless IP Internet camera (Linksys) so that I dont' have to leave my laptop turned on. It's continuous video, and I don't have to pay for any IP or website or anything. The quality is very good when the lights are on, but a bit choppy over the internet (very smooth when viewing wirelessly from the laptop at my house). It suits my purpose for buying one.... so that I can keep an eye on my tank when I go away, or from work, etc.
Pam
 
Hi Pam,

Can this run on a none static IP address? My stupid ISP won't give me a static IP address :(

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12576351#post12576351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pammy
I use a wireless IP Internet camera (Linksys) so that I dont' have to leave my laptop turned on. It's continuous video, and I don't have to pay for any IP or website or anything. The quality is very good when the lights are on, but a bit choppy over the internet (very smooth when viewing wirelessly from the laptop at my house). It suits my purpose for buying one.... so that I can keep an eye on my tank when I go away, or from work, etc.
Pam
Click to expand...
 
i did not mean IR some camera should have the green vision...but the IR does not bother animals...not sure about fish though, because animal planet uses it with Lions and stuff lol
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12577647#post12577647 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hogall
Hi Pam,

Can this run on a none static IP address? My stupid ISP won't give me a static IP address :(

Dennis
Click to expand...
Yep, use a dynamic dns host like dyndns.
 
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