Havets Hus tunnel aquarium refurbishment
The ATL team has successfully completed the Havets Hus tunnel aquarium refurbishment
Located in Lysekil on the stunning west coast of Sweden the Havets Hus aquarium has been welcoming visitors since 1993. The aquarium displays over 100 mainly native species of fish many found locally in the area. Despite its modest size the Havets Hus aquarium is one of the most popular and visited destinations in the Bohuslän region. The local team of conservationists has achieved international recognition for their work of over 20 years being involved in breeding and releasing endangered species. Their most recent project aimed at conserving the critically endangered thornback ray has been underway. All of this from the aquarium in a small Swedish town like Lysekil!
Like many aquarium attractions the visitors journey begins in the shore area and continues through the different habitats of the ocean, down to the depths of the seafloor. Havets Hus benefits from excellent local water quality ensuring the aquariums are continuously fed with sea water from the Gullmar fjord, collected a depth of 32 metres. With constant salinity levels of around 30 to 33 parts per thousand the water quality is very good, free of contaminants and with good oxygenation. These are all prerequisite for the wellbeing of the aquarium fish and animals.
ATL has a long standing relationship with Havets Hus aquarium having successfully worked together to deliver some amazing projects to date. The Havets Hus tunnel aquarium refurbishment being no exception. The tunnel aquarium is one of the original concrete displays and forms the centre piece of the exhibition. After many years of service it was established that the tunnel aquarium needed to undergo an extensive refurbishment. ATL responded to a public works tender and were successfully appointed as specialist aquarium works contractor. Our work scope included the replacement water proof tank lining, acrylic refurbishment and resealing.
Other specialist contractors completed concrete repairs to the tank structure. Once this work was done our team could commence the tank preparations, removal of all sealants and application of GRP composite tank lining.
The meticulous and painstaking job of preparing the tank for relining
As part of the works the life support system was being adapted to improve water flows and therefore additional fittings needed to be incorporated into our lining to ensure water tight integrity.
New tank connections were installed before we incorporated them into the new lining system
Our waterproofing team applied ATL’s bicolour lining system with dark blue walls and sand coloured floor area.
Lining in progress. Liam laying up the Havets Hus tunnel aquarium floor
The newly applied bi colour GRP lining in progress
Our GRP lining work nearing completion
We then handed the tank back to the local aquarium team who had arranged to their own theming contractor to decorate the tank.
Tunnel tank theming at Havets Hus, Lysekil
Once the tank decor was finished the ATL team returned to site and completed cosmetic polishing to the walkthrough tunnel and all of the other acrylic panels. As part of the Havets Hus tunnel aquarium refurbishment two large flat multi laminate glass panels were removed for low level tank access.
Looking back into the tank through one of the glass viewing panel rebates
ATL reinstalled and sealed these windows at the same time as completing the resealing of the acrylic panels. Once our works were complete our technician team handed the tank back to the local aquarium team so that they could prepare it ready for hydrotesting and restocking prior to reopening it to the public.
Its not every hydrotest that you get to see a mermaid!
Viewing a mermaid through the acrylic tunnel during the hydrotest
The Havets Hus tunnel aquarium refurbishment project marks the conclusion of another successful project for ATL. It really has been a joy to work on this project and to see the continued success of the Havets Hus aquarium. The tunnel aquarium refurbishment will ensure the aquarium will be welcoming visitors for many years to come.
A lovely crisp view through ATL’s newly refurbished Havets Hus tunnel aquarium
More details about Havets Hus in Lysekil can be found here
