AQUARIUM CAMERAS & LOCAL CONTROLPROJECT NOTEBOOK / 2025–2026

Sync Tank

An open-source aquarium workshop

Latest notes: camera inventory · mounts & next steps

A closer look inside the tank.

Cameras, small habitats, and a map of where everything belongs. Two aquariums connected through a local Raspberry Pi system.

Tanks & builds

01 / HABITAT
Shrimp exploring the structures and open spaces of Shrimp City

Shrimp City

A small neighborhood of shelters and open spaces, with landmarks that are easy to recognize across camera views.

Visit the neighborhood >>
02 / CAMERA NETWORK
Two aquarium test setups with connected camera and control hardware

Two tanks, one system

The in-water test setup: a Pi for each tank and a shared hub that keeps camera views tied to their own tank.

Meet the tank nodes >>
03 / SPATIAL MODEL
Portrait display on the workbench testing the 3D tank model alongside a camera feed

A tank inside your computer

An early bench test paired a 3D tank with a camera feed. The separate browser builder lets you plan positions from your own photos.

Open the tank builder >>
04 / INSPECTION ARM
Printed Reeflex base, circular bearing track, gear, and servo

Inside Reeflex

An EEZYbotARM Mk2-based inspection rig. This assembly photo shows the base and drive; autonomous inspection is still in development.

The mechanism & source design >>

Photographs from project builds and tests. Earlier prototypes may differ from the current software.

The window tank

A LITTLE AQUARIUMSIMULATED
A small pixel aquarium. The Sync Tank project photos and links work without JavaScript.
Just swimming along.

About the project

Sync Tank is the whole project: connected aquariums, cameras, inspection tools, spatial maps, and observations. Two tank nodes are our starting point, with room to grow.

EYES IN THE WATER
Floaters provide fixed views. Reels reach small spaces. Reeflex and Raydar explore motorized inspection with limits and stop controls.
SEE SEA TV
The local camera display connects each view to its real tank and position. One part of the larger system.
SIGHTINGS
Save an image with its tank, camera, and time. Local motion analysis helps notice activity. Optional AI field notes are requested by a person.

Project history & early experiments >>

Build your own

The code is free to explore. Start with simulated tank nodes, or bring a Raspberry Pi and some cameras. Ordinary aquarium care comes first.