Are you thinking about setting up a live webcam for your aquarium or something else you would like to broadcast or monitor in real time?  If so, read on!

For years I have employed webcams to monitor my reef tanks while I was away from home.  They provide me with peace of mind when I am on vacation or a business trip and they allow me to show off the tank to someone who has never seen it in person.

There are two basic types of setups: one for private viewing and another for public consumption on a streaming platform such as YouTube.  Today I employ both types.  For private viewing I use a Nest Cam to monitor my aquarium sump. It delivers crisp 1080p HD video, is extremely easy to setup and allows you to zoom in and view things at close range. You can even view in the dark with the built-in infrared feature. Overall, it is a great way to see if the water in the sump is too low or if something else is wrong.

As for my public streaming setup, I broadcast my display tank 24/7 live on YouTube with an AXIS M1145 Network Camera. Not only can I monitor my tank, but I can share it with the rest of the world! MORE