Recording Tank at Night - Best Options?

JxP · 05/06/2015, 01:09 PM

I searched and found a few threads on taking pictures of tanks, but my goal is to record my reclusive/nocturnal (squids, mantis shrimp, etc) creatures so that I can watch them on a computer. Ideally I would be able to fast forward to interesting parts etc.

The catch. My tanks are completely dark most of the night so I guess I need an infrared camera of some sort? I don't need 4K resolution or anything crazy something that did 720P would be fine.

If a camera that feeds directly to a computer is the way to go that is fine too as I have several computers.

The other option would be to have some kind of infrared light shine down and use a regular digital camcorder to record?

Let me know your thoughts! Not even sure I have this is in the right thread lol.

CafeReef · 05/06/2015, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxP

I searched and found a few threads on taking pictures of tanks, but my goal is to record my reclusive/nocturnal (squids, mantis shrimp, etc) creatures so that I can watch them on a computer. Ideally I would be able to fast forward to interesting parts etc.

The catch. My tanks are completely dark most of the night so I guess I need an infrared camera of some sort? I don't need 4K resolution or anything crazy something that did 720P would be fine.

If a camera that feeds directly to a computer is the way to go that is fine too as I have several computers.

The other option would be to have some kind of infrared light shine down and use a regular digital camcorder to record?

Let me know your thoughts! Not even sure I have this is in the right thread lol.

my dropcam does a "decent" job in night mode. I can see my fish swimming around and see them decent enough, but the image is pretty grainy. There might be better night vision cameras available to capture this.

JxP · 05/06/2015, 03:07 PM

Ok well that gets me in the right direction anyway. I was thinking I would have to do something with goPro or whatever it is called.

Reefvet · 05/06/2015, 04:12 PM

The dropcam uses infrared/red LEDs to enhance it's night vision. If you've ever seen bad surveillance camera footage that'll give you an idea of what it looks like. B&W and grainy. The occupants of your reef tank will see the LEDs. It's light they're very sensitive to.

Steve Atkins · 05/06/2015, 05:21 PM

Since your tank inhabitants will all be at the same temperature as the water I can't see how an infrared camera would be of much use.

You might get a faint glow from a current pump or an in tank heater. Maybe you will discover you have one of the few warm blooded fishes.

Steve

05/06/2015, 01:09 PM	#1
JxP Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hawaii Posts: 91	Recording Tank at Night - Best Options? I searched and found a few threads on taking pictures of tanks, but my goal is to record my reclusive/nocturnal (squids, mantis shrimp, etc) creatures so that I can watch them on a computer. Ideally I would be able to fast forward to interesting parts etc. The catch. My tanks are completely dark most of the night so I guess I need an infrared camera of some sort? I don't need 4K resolution or anything crazy something that did 720P would be fine. If a camera that feeds directly to a computer is the way to go that is fine too as I have several computers. The other option would be to have some kind of infrared light shine down and use a regular digital camcorder to record? Let me know your thoughts! Not even sure I have this is in the right thread lol.

05/06/2015, 03:07 PM	#3
JxP Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hawaii Posts: 91	Ok well that gets me in the right direction anyway. I was thinking I would have to do something with goPro or whatever it is called. Last edited by JxP; 05/06/2015 at 03:27 PM.

05/06/2015, 04:12 PM	#4
Reefvet Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,941	The dropcam uses infrared/red LEDs to enhance it's night vision. If you've ever seen bad surveillance camera footage that'll give you an idea of what it looks like. B&W and grainy. The occupants of your reef tank will see the LEDs. It's light they're very sensitive to. __________________ "Skepticism is a method, not a position. It can be defined as a method of intellectual caution and suspended judgment." ~ Rich Ross

05/06/2015, 05:21 PM	#5
Steve Atkins Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 552	Since your tank inhabitants will all be at the same temperature as the water I can't see how an infrared camera would be of much use. You might get a faint glow from a current pump or an in tank heater. Maybe you will discover you have one of the few warm blooded fishes. Steve Last edited by Steve Atkins; 05/06/2015 at 05:23 PM. Reason: typo