Wi-Aquarium: the WiFi-enabled fish tank

We've seen everything from WiFi-enabled PMPs, robots, and even gardens, but a recent creation showcased at the Embedded Systems Conference in California took remote access abilities underwater. While not as profound as a bay-patrolling nuke detector, Lantronix's Wi-Aquarium was able to grab the bronze for its snazzy internet-enabled fish tank, which reportedly "allows users to remotely control and monitor their aquarium anytime from anywhere in the world." Moreover, users can login and keep an eye on the situation via webcam, and they can even dictate the water temperature, lights, and filter from afar. The standout feature, however, is the ingrained ability of the tank to send the owner emails containing status reports of several key metrics, which should certainly keep you connected to your sea-dwelling pets no matter your location. Now this is what Tamagotchi should have been from the start, eh?

[Via The Raw Feed]

[chris fredette @ Apr 17th 2007 3:17PM]

what the!
I thought I could get a fish screen saver for my Wii. Bastards

[MikeTLive @ Apr 17th 2007 4:19PM]

having researched keeping salt water aquaria alive, I know that maintaining the proper balance in a tank is critical to the survival of fish that can costhundreds of dollars.

it is not unusual for a salinity or temperature change to KILL an entire tank.

[Chris @ Apr 22nd 2007 5:44PM]

Imagine the massacre if this was Windows based...

'The feeder has performed an illegal operation and will be dropped into the pool. If the problem persists, your fish will become obese and explode.'

Seriously though, this looks great! I could feed my goldfish from work if I forgot in the morning. never mind Sky+, this is Fish-Tank+

[macona @ Apr 17th 2007 8:42PM]

I have kept salt water for years from 10 gal to 120 gal and its no big deal You salinity will not change as long as you keep the water level the same. PH dosnt really change unless you really screwed something up with your chemicals. Rarely do fish cost hundreds of dollars, usually 20 to 40 ea. Temp change is why they have heater and depending where you live chillers.

Salt water is not difficult. Its expensive. Thats why I am down to a 20 gal tank, but I do have a 75 gal sitting empty.

[chezzo @ Apr 17th 2007 4:22PM]

a while back i saw a similar thing on tv, which was a plant pot which could be remotely watered by ringing it up, and which could send u regular SMS messages to tell you how hot it was, how much water it had, etc.
none of this new-fangled wifi though lol

[spline9 @ Apr 17th 2007 4:37PM]

This is nothing new. This can already be done by using whats called an Aquacontroller(hardware) and Aquanotes(software) from Neptune Systems and does a lot more.
http://www.neptunesys.com/

[Richard Lai @ Apr 17th 2007 5:56PM]

Will it come with a remote-controlled monitoring fish?

[Dan @ Apr 17th 2007 7:55PM]

Yeah nothing new. In addition to what spline9 said, there are many many brands of aquarium controllers, and many of them have the same capabilities.
Freaking hipsters.

[Clint Warren @ Apr 17th 2007 8:57PM]

spline9 is right on. I love my Aquacontroller III with built in web server!

[MickAv8r @ Apr 18th 2007 11:10AM]

Yep AquaController has had this functionality for over 5 years now, and DIY alerting systems via X10 type sensors have been around for even longer. It's not necessary but it's a nice feature. The Controllers do a damn fine job if programmed right for shutting things down if things get out of wack, like salinity drops, shut down the auto-topoff pump, temps get to high shut down lighting etc.

[Diver Al @ Apr 26th 2007 7:29AM]

If you want a digital aquarium check out
http://www.scubaology.com/archives/2007/01/31/living-marine-aquarium-unboxed/
No mess, no fuss, just watch.