ZSL coral tank
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has recently opened the new ZSL coral tank at the Tiny Giants exhibit
For some time ATL has been working closely with the design and much revered curatorial teams at ZSL to develop a stunning new coral tank to house their vast collection of coral. The requirement was for a large tank to be built in the basement of the BUGS building
Various methods of tank construction were evaluated with ATL’s sectional composite system the preferred and finally selected option. ATL are considered the leaders in aquarium technology and as such we have developed an infinitely adaptable system of tank construction which suits many difficult to access locations.
Trial assembling the ZSL coral tank steel work
Due to the restricted access into the exhibition space our sectional construction method was clearly the best all round solution allowing us to deliver the designers vision of a large space filling aquarium tank. The challenge being how to do this in the basement of repurposed exhibition space? The ZSL coral tank is over 15m long and built in 10 steel reinforced GRP composite sections.
Tank sections under construction
All tank sections were prefabricated and prepared at ATL by our own skilled technicians. After trial fitting the tank sections together they were loaded onto crane equipped HGV’s and delivered to ZSL in Regents Park where it was met by our installation team. Each of the sections was carefully sized to ensure it would fit into the building. The initial access hurdle was that only a single section of glass façade could be removed. Once inside the foyer of the building the large and heavy tank sections were taken down the entrance ramp by our installation team using custom made trollies and a mechanical braking unit. With only millimeters to spare our team expertly guided the sections down the ramp and into the basement area. Basement location meant there was little available space to maneuvered sections so each piece had to be carefully installed in order of final assembly.
Installing tank sections at ZSL
To add further complication the tank has a single span 6.5m long acrylic underwater viewing panel which weighs in at 1200kg and needed to be installed into the part assembled tank before our team could complete the final assembly of the sections.
Moving on out- next stop Regents park
Moving the underwater viewing panel
We worked flexibly to overcome the obstruction it caused and we could make good the waterproofing. At one end of the ZSL coral tank we were asked to incorporate off show curator access steps enabling safe entry to the tank and therefore easier cleaning.
non slip access steps
Part of our workscope included the design and build of a bespoke sectional reservoir and sump to suit the zoos’s specialist coral filtration system. The sump incorporates different levels, weirs and compartments used as refugieum areas. Display water returns to the sump via the bespoke surface skimmer weir.
Bespoke sump by ATL
We have a long standing relationship with the ZSL team are we are rightly very proud of our teams effort in successfully delivering this amazing project for them.
All complete and ready to hand over
With enforced closures its been a very testing time for all of the zoos and aquarium attractions. With the lifting of restrictions the Tiny giants exhibit area is now open and welcoming members of the public. Over the coming months the tank system will reach maturity and the aquarium will really come to life. Its well worth a visit to see it for yourselves.
our coral tank at ZSL
