About Us

Backstory

Hi, I’m Wei Li, the founder of this project and a software engineer from Yunnan, China. For the past 4+ years I have single-handedly designed the hardware (PCB), written the firmware, developed the cross-platform Flutter app, and built this entire website. Every line of code, every solder joint, and every pixel is the result of one person’s passion for affordable, open-source aquarium technology.

The story of Borneo-IoT began in 2021 when a deep passion for high-tech aquascaping collided with the reality of the prohibitively expensive market for professional lighting. Driven by the desire to cultivate a lush underwater garden without the crazy price tag, I initially sought to purchase an aquarium LED controller to build a custom solution. However, my journey faced an unexpected hurdle when a prominent supplier refused to sell me the necessary hardware, claiming that individual hobbyists were not worth the potential after-sales support burden compared to bulk commercial clients. This rejection became the ultimate catalyst for innovation because it transformed a simple DIY interest into a mission to democratize advanced aquarium technology.

Leveraging over a decade of expertise as a software engineer and a lifelong obsession with electronics, I embarked on a rigorous path to master professional PCB design and hardware engineering from the ground up. The development process involved countless sleepless nights and significant personal investment as I navigated through numerous hardware iterations and prototype failures. Each version brought me closer to perfection, allowing me to refine the delicate balance between high-performance thermal management and precise spectral control. What started as a response to a closed market eventually evolved into a sophisticated ecosystem featuring a meticulously engineered multi-channel LED controller.

Today, Borneo-IoT stands as a testament to the power of the open-source spirit and the resilience of the maker community. By combining industrial-grade firmware with an intuitive software interface, I have created a platform that rivals high-end commercial products while remaining accessible to everyone. This project is not just about illuminating an aquarium but about proving that technical barriers and exclusive supply chains cannot stop a dedicated developer from bringing a vision to life. Borneo-IoT remains committed to the idea that every aquarist deserves professional tools regardless of their budget or the size of their order.

Our Mission

Enable small manufacturers and makers to bring high-performance, smart aquarium products to market faster, with lower risk and cost.

What We Offer

• Embedded controller module: BLC06E (OEM-focused), BLC10 (10-channel flagship model), Buce (open-source)
• Firmware platform: production-proven, aquatic-focused control features
• Borneo‑IoT App: brandable, with Wi‑Fi provisioning, discovery, scenes, and manual modes
• Docs & reference designs: schematics, PCB layouts, dev/eval boards
• OEM services: branding, customization, and contract manufacturing

Built For

• Brands & OEMs: launch fast with zero-code integration and app branding
• Makers & Hobbyists: fully open-source kits like Ulva‑6 for learning and building

Open-Source Commitment

We open-source our DIY-oriented products and tooling to foster an open ecosystem.

We invite partners and contributors to join us in making advanced smart aquarium technology accessible, customizable, and affordable.

GitHub Repo