Wave Generation & Special Effects

The desire to introduce more dynamic and natural habitats for the display of coastal species led ATL to develop two primary methods of wave and surge generation. These devices are conceived and developed to suit individual requirements and take into account the profile of the tank or pool and the effect upon wave and surge patterns caused by internal display décor. A valuable but free by-product of wave and surge generation is the natural soundscape which accompanies the movement of water, the benefits that this brings to the overall realism of a display can be costly to reproduce and less convincing when produced through the more usual recorded audio means.

Great attention to detail ensures that the viewer is rarely if ever aware of the origin of the water movement which can result in very shocked reactions from the surprised onlooker particularly when a high volume surge is discharged! These devices are equally applicable to realistic fish, mammal and seabird habitats as well as to large scale decorative and scientific pieces and in the case of cyclic wave machines come complete with speed and amplitude control for finely tuned results.

ATL have also built a reputation for the design and manufacture of artistic, scientific and educationally based water effect pieces including vortex column displays which accurately depict the effect of whirlpools in deep water. These are based on vertical acrylic cylinders and, depending on location, can be activated automatically on a timed cycle or on demand by attraction visitors.