What is the best web cam for streaming a fish tank?

[Daniel@R2R]

I'm looking into installing a live streaming web cam for my tank, but I'm not sure which ones are good. I know drop cam is popular, but I'm curious to know if they're the best or if there are others I should consider? I was almost considering a HD pan and tilt baby video monitor. LOL Thoughts?

 

[zesty]

I've heard of locals using foscams with good results.

ME, I'm super cheap, so I'm going to hook up an old smartphone!

 

[MounteeFrag]

I use dropcam pro and love it. It has saved my tank a couple times already.

 

[amonk]

I use a foscam I foun online for cheap with pan and tilt and night vision.

 

[TJ's Reef]

Well hopefully the Foscam F19831P model as I just ordered one a few days ago.... lol

Now I just need to learn how to hook it up or into to my Apex 'Fusion' for easier viewing.


Cheers, Todd

 

[o2manyfish]

I had a Canon VB-20 which is Pan Tilt zoom and that was a good camera. I upgraded to the Axis 214 which is PTZ with 20x optical zoom - You can zoom into polyp level and when the internet connection to the house is good the camera is fast enough to follow fish around the tank. But it's greatest asset is it has pretty good auto white balance so you can see things well with the blue lighting of the reef. This is not an inexpensive camera, but it you want to really be able to view your tank and check on things this is the route to go.

The only part that I want to update is it switches to IR nightvision, but you see a dark tank. So I am thinking about getting an IR flood light to hang over the tank so at night you can see the tank, instead of just a big black box.

Camera is setup for Public viewing. Lights turn on around 4:30pm Pacific time till 1am - o2manyfish's Live & Controllable Webcam - Enjoy

Dave B

 

[roli112]

I had a Canon VB-20 which is Pan Tilt zoom and that was a good camera. I upgraded to the Axis 214 which is PTZ with 20x optical zoom - You can zoom into polyp level and when the internet connection to the house is good the camera is fast enough to follow fish around the tank. But it's greatest asset is it has pretty good auto white balance so you can see things well with the blue lighting of the reef. This is not an inexpensive camera, but it you want to really be able to view your tank and check on things this is the route to go.

The only part that I want to update is it switches to IR nightvision, but you see a dark tank. So I am thinking about getting an IR flood light to hang over the tank so at night you can see the tank, instead of just a big black box.

Camera is setup for Public viewing. Lights turn on around 4:30pm Pacific time till 1am - o2manyfish's Live & Controllable Webcam - Enjoy

Dave B

Can't seem to get the feed

 

[TruRacr314x]

I can't see it right now either...might be too many people trying to view it. I've watched his feed before...pretty amazing camera!

 

[Eckolancer]

I've been using tenvis for years with no issues.

 

[TruRacr314x]

It's working for me now...

 

[o2manyfish]

Of course, the day a thread comes up about web cams, we have a rain storm and my home network goes wonky. Should be back up and running now.

Dave B

 

[roli112]

Of course, the day a thread comes up about web cams, we have a rain storm and my home network goes wonky. Should be back up and running now.

Dave B

Looks awesome, great tank. What is that spinning thing on the glass?

 

[o2manyfish]

Roli112,

That's a veggie clip. It's a magnet that holds a clip inside of the tank to hold Seaweed for the tangs and angels.

Dave B

 

[Fishlee]

I use drop cam pro super simple no set up just plug it in and it's ready to go

 

[JulieReef]

Well hopefully the Foscam F19831P model as I just ordered one a few days ago.... lol

Now I just need to learn how to hook it up or into to my Apex 'Fusion' for easier viewing.


Cheers, Todd

Hi Todd,

I realize that this is an old post but I just hooked up my Apex Fusion and want to purchase a webcam. Were you successful with the Foscam? Any advice for me before I purchase?

thank you,
Julie

 

[ReefBum]

I recently added a new Nest Cam (Drop Cam was the old version of the camera). It is great for monitoring your sump or the tank but I would not use it as a live stream for the public. Extremely easy to setup.....essentially plug and play. You can see my review here.

 

[go29]

awesome review man! Quick question for ya though, Im thinking about adding this to simply monitor the tank but am wondering about the zoom. On best buy it says the camera doesn't have zoom tilt etc but you show that the app obviously allows the zoom so I'm confused on what to expect. Thanks and again great review

 

[ReefBum]

awesome review man! Quick question for ya though, Im thinking about adding this to simply monitor the tank but am wondering about the zoom. On best buy it says the camera doesn't have zoom tilt etc but you show that the app obviously allows the zoom so I'm confused on what to expect. Thanks and again great review

Thanks! Yes, it does not pan or tilt but you can zoom. On my iPhone I just double tap on the area I want to zoom in to....and then you can hit the enhance button.

 

[E_Aquatics]

I recently added a new Nest Cam (Drop Cam was the old version of the camera). It is great for monitoring your sump or the tank but I would not use it as a live stream for the public. Extremely easy to setup.....essentially plug and play. You can see my review here.

Is there a particular camera that you recommend to stream a video of the display?

 

[ReefBum]

Axis was mentioned in an earlier post and they do have many options that would work. However, it is some work to get them hooked into a home network, they can be pricey and you will also need the proper bandwidth to stream HD quality video.