The ATL team have one again surpassed all expectations and completed an amazing aquarium display installation in tight access conditions. The challenge this time was to build a sectional 180 degree cylinder display. This really is not a problem and something that we achieve on a regular basis. However building a sectional exhibit to the maximum possible size and installing it through no more than a double door access is always challenge. As the original tank fabricator and ‘go to’ aquarium partner for SEALIFE Sharkbaitreef, ATL were commissioned to design, build and install their new cylinder display. We undertook a full design and access appraisal and commenced fabrication of the tank in only two sections using our trusted GRP composite construction techniques. We thermoformed the acrylic viewing panel and installed this into one half of the tank ready. The other tank section was prepared with mesh ready to support the in tank decor. The glazed tank section was then loaded onto an installation skid for added protection. Both tank sections were loaded onto crane equipped HGV and delivered to the SEALIFE Alton Towers resort site.

The sectional aquarium complete with skid being offloaded

On arrival our installation team carefully offloaded the tank sections and installed them through the available access. This required very careful handling throughout the installation process.

Any smaller would have been a waste!

Once into location the team reassembled the tank sections together to create one large tank. Jointing only two tank sections together enabled our creative team to quick follow on behind and so were then able to efficiently complete their works from inside the tank.

The tricky installation work that we complete goes largely unnoticed. We maybe make these things look easy and like the tank simply grew there but we know that what we are good at what we do here at ATL. This bares out with our loyal customers who come back year in and year out.

ATL’s creatives finished up their works on site

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The tank wasn’t large by ATL standards but none the less had to meet certain visual criteria. It had to be viewable from all 4 sides and needed an industrial steel support frame. Our fabrication team quickly dealt with producing the frame and this was coated with GRP composite to provide corrosion resistance. The tank was then fitted with clear cast acrylic viewing panels. Finally a factory hydro-test was completed to prove functionality before the tank was packed, protected and dispatched over the weekend to ensure it could be installed into the show arena on time.

Hydrotesting the Advanced Navigation tank at ATL

Hydrotesting the Advanced Navigation tank at ATL

I’m pleased to say that everything went perfectly and our customer was extremely pleased. After the show they were moved to write the following:

‘I just wanted to send a quick note to say how pleased we were with the product your team delivered. We had the tank front and centre stage at Oceanology, with our robot performing a live demo in it. I must say it was very eye catching and drew in lots of leads for our sales team. I’m really happy with how the conference went and the high quality of the tank certainly contributed to the success. Please pass on our sincere thanks to the entire ATL team.

Getting such positive feedback from new customers is always a great feeling and we were pleased to have been able to help them out in their hour of need. ATL offers a turnkey aquarium design and manufacturing service in house enabling fast turnarounds on bespoke products.

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Last year ATL’s technical teams completed works on the new American dream aquarium. Located in the American Dream edutainment mall in Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey this is the latest SEALIFE project. ATL were entrusted to deliver the entire aquarium displays package. This package involved many new exciting aquarium tank designs as well as some of the more staple family friendly favorites.

the kids coral kingdom tunnel tank in progress

the mangrove tunnel display

All of our displays were designed and manufactured in house at ATL. Where possoible the tanks were manufactured as complete unit but where size did others in sections due their overall size.

loading the American Dream aquarium shoaling tank

All of the tanks and components were then loaded into shipping containers and delivered into the American Dream aquarium site. Our technicians worked closely with a team of local representatives to ensure the safe installation and assembly of our tanks into final location.

Once of ATL’s sectional tank in position

As well as the stand alone aquarium displays ATL also manufactured installed and sealed the large ocean tank viewing panels for the American dream aquarium project.

180 degree tunnels for american dream aquarium

The acrylic viewing panels for the sites largest tank, the ocean display, included a 270 degree walk through acrylic tunnel, 180 degree walk through acrylic tunnels, large blown acrylic domes and large flat acrylic theatre windows. Acrylic deliveries into an under construction mall requires very careful planning and co ordination with local contractors and product handling specialists.

A significant part of this project was the production of the in tank decor and theming. This was a quite unique brief and nothing quite like any other SEALIFE project to date for us.

Theming produced by ATL creative team

Working closely with the clients own creative teams, ATL’s team of creatives rose to the challenge and delivered a stunning set of results. Throughout the exhibition area the exhibits include quirky features incorporated into the typical tank back drops. Such was the unique content that we had to undertake significant R & D and evaluate different production techniques.

In tank theming ATL

For example in addition to more conventional geological rock forms the ocean tank includes a series of scaled versions of famous New York skyline building features, all with a subtle twist of added quirkiness. The Empire Skate building, Whaledorf Astoria, Coraliser, Fishlife Building, Brooklyn Bridge and even a statue of Liberty all provide a very stylized view of New Yorks most iconic landmarks.

Waldorf Astoria building

American dream aquarium theming

ATL theming

Themed feature in progress

ATL building features

This was a really enjoyable project and presented our team with many new challenges.

ATL octopus tank

As ever we delivered another amazing SEALIFE project often referred to as the American dream aquarium. The planned aquarium opening was delayed until earlier this summer due to the effects of the global pandemic. More details can be viewed online or by clicking this

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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

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Back in 2019 ATL won a public tender to supply a series of large marine aquariums to the Havets Hus aquarium in Lysekil, Sweden. The Havets Hus aquarium originally opened in 1993 and since then ATL has been a key aquarium tank supplier. It was therefore a pleasure to be awarded this latest contract and continue the long standing relationship. The project involved designing, building and installing a series of four large marine aquariums for an exhibition housed within a newly constructed extension building from the original aquarium. However delays in the construction works resulted in a later than planned aquarium design sign off and with winter fast approaching the building would need to be completed in advance of the large marine aquariums delivery. Then the world pandemic struck which caused further delays for everyone involved.

The aquarium extension being completed meant that tank access to the final location was to say the least going to be ‘testing’. Our reputation as leaders in aquarium technology enables us to call on our hugely experienced installation team who rise time and again and overcome installation challenges that would leave some competitors standing. Thats why our customers turn to us time and again for assistance with difficult access aquarium projects.

The large marine aquariums were constructed using our tried and trusted sectional tank methodology.

Steel frames for the Havets Hus project in progress

All of the tank sections were sized to the maximum access size and carefully prefabricated at ATL.

Havets Hus tanks in progress at ATL

Each of the tanks incorporates large curved acrylic viewing panels which were also formed and prepared in house at ATL. Everything was protected prior to being loaded onto crane equipped HGV’s and starting their long overland journey to Swedens West coast.

Loading the Havets Hus tank sections

With careful planning and timely execution our team was able to fly over without travel restriction to meet the tank sections arrival on site. The tank components were sized to fit through a very limited size access doorway through into the aquarium retail area. This presented some obvious challenges but nothing our specialist team couldn’t handle.

Havets Hus tank component installation

The acrylic viewing panels were the greatest access challenge. The size of the windows left us only 12mm of overall clearance, any more would have been wasteful! The sections were individually maneuvered through the aquarium and into the extension building.

one of ATL’s underwater acrylic viewing panels

The tanks sections were then assembled and welded in location. The underwater viewing panels were installed together with an ATL forward flow composite filter bed plate system.

GRP composite filter bed plates

The curatorial team requested additional splash pelmets be fitted which we made using the same composite construction.

ATL sectional large marine aquariums

Finally the ATL creatives team travelled to site to complete stunning natural rockwork theming to each of the tank structures.

Theming in progress

Sectional tank decor painting in progress

The rockwork was styled on the local geological rock strata typical of the Lysekil area.

Hand carved rockwork by ATL

Stunning scenes

Native marine rockwork by ATL

We are very pleased with the end result our team achieved for our friends at Havets Hus aquarium in Lysekil.

Sarah adding scale alongide one of the aquariums

It was always going to be a challenge but as ever we rose to it and delivered a first class result against the odds. See the following and click the translate button for more details

Bring on the next large marine aquariums, limited access route challenge!

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ATL were contacted by a London based architectural team who were looking to work with a specialist contractor who could deliver their vision of the design, manufacture and installation a large skylight water feature in the prestigious Holland Park area of the city.

Steel skylight water feature frame in progress

This stainless steel skylight is just over 3 meters in diameter and is located in what will eventually be a beautifully landscaped external courtyard area. The base of the feature incorporates an acrylic viewing panel allowing a view from the basement living area to the landscaped courtyard above. The viewing panel enables the basement to benefit from natural dappled light.

ATL’s skylight water feature acrylic viewing panel preparation in progress

The circular water feature frame was fabricated using marine grade stainless steel. Our designers worked closely with the on site filtration team to ensure the frame incorporated all of the integral connections for the recirculation of water to and from the filtration equipment.

Integral pipework connections were added for the filtration

Following fabrication it was painted black with a high quality polysilaxane coating. This coating system was selected for its superior resistance to UV, abrasions and superb weathering properties. On completion the water feature frame and viewing panel were delivered to site, offloaded and installed by the ATL team using specialist handling equipment.

On completion the skylight frame was carefully located into position

Once the frame was safely installed and chemically anchored the acrylic viewing panel was lifted in and sealed in situ.

Preparing the acrylic viewing panel for sealing

When finished it was carefully protected by our team while the rest of site construction works continued.

The skylight water feature was wrapped and cased for protection during ongoing construction

This is a major project with the significant landscaping scheduled for completion later this year. We have all enjoyed being involved with this amazing project and look forward to sharing more photos of the completed installation once its finally unveiled- watch this space later in the year.

Birdseye view of the skylight gives a sense of scale

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ATL has been working on this project for some time and last year we were formally appointed as specialist contractor to civil engineering giants Keir Infrastructure

The unlocking the Severn at Digilis Weir project is in the heart of Worcester. Its part of a network of fish passes being introduced along the banks of the river Severn. This is an ambitious 5 year conservation and engagement project opening up Britain’s longest river for the rare fish that depend on it. Hundreds of thousands of Twaite shad used to migrate up the River Severn each year to reach their natural spawning grounds. However weirs installed in the mid-19th century blocked the shad’s route and the population on the Severn crashed. Today they are one of the UK’s rarest fish. Shad don’t have the ability to leap over obstacles in the river, unlike salmon, which have adapted to swim past boulders and waterfalls as they travel upstream to spawn. Whilst shad can swim through fast-flowing water, they avoid turbulent patches and are disorientated by complex flows. To overcome these issues the largest deep vertical slot fish pass was designed in conjunction with the lead organization Canals and rivers trust

Due to the ‘in river’ location the site construction works were completed behind a specially built steel coffer damn. The vertical slot fish pass is a 100m long reinforced concrete channel incorporating a series of ascending pools to imitate a natural feature of rivers.

The deep slot fish pass at Digilis Weir comprises a series of ascending pools

The river water will split off into the pass which runs along the bank at Digilis over stones before rejoining the main course above the weir. This allows the shad to swim above each weir in manageable steps. The Unlocking the Severn at Digilis Weir fish pass differs from the other fish passes currently being installed. The Digilis Weir fish pass includes underwater viewing windows in a visitor gallery. It is intended that this viewing and monitoring gallery will form a hub of research for universities which is where ATL became involved. With over three decades of experience in designing and installing underwater viewing windows, ATL leaders in aquarium technology were the go to specialist for the unlocking the Severn at Digilis Weir project.

Today we are all too familiar with the dangers and risks of heavy rain causing rivers to burst their banks resulting in severe flooding. ATL were tasked to assess and mitigate the risks of floodwater on the underwater windows used in the unlocking the Severn at Digilis Weir project. This meant that potentially the water level could rise a staggering 8 metres above normal river level and our windows had to be capable of withstanding this increase. ATL appointed and worked alongside a team of specialist engineers to develop a specification for heat soak toughened and laminated glass panels using specialist interlayers. This interlayer technology reduced the thickness of the glass leaves bringing many hidden benefits to the project. Following on from this we worked closely with our UK based glass producers meaning we could further optimize the window specification.

One of ATL’s heat soak toughened and laminated glass viewing panels ready for unlocking the Severn at Digilis Weir

As the fish pass construction neared completion, ATL were called onto site to complete the installation and sealing works for the glass windows into the fish pass gallery.

Craning in ATL’s underwater windows for Unlocking the Severn at Digilis weir

The installation process went smoothly and the windows were successfully installed by the ATL technician team.

Installed and sealed. The first of ATL’s underwater windows in position.

The windows have already been successfully tested. Heavy rains between Christmas and the New year saw the river Severn go into spate breaching the coffer damn and flooding the fish pass. Needless to say ATL’s windows did exactly what the were designed to do without incident.

ATL underwater windows at Unlocking the Severn at Digilis Weir

This really has been an incredibly important and very interesting scientific project for the ATL team to be involved with. Working alongside civil engineering giants and public bodies such as the environment agency demonstrates how ATL capably operates in technically demanding situations. Going forward we will be sharing and publishing more details on this exciting project via our social media platforms. Until then take a look at this interesting article on the new civil engineer

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The Oceanarium Mauritius is located in Port Louis and occupies a prime location in the Mauritian capitals downtown waterfront area

ATL are recognized as leaders in aquarium technology and faced formidable international competition before finally securing the prestigious aquarium tanks contract.

ATL jellyfish display for Oceanarium Mauritius

Based on the Oceanarium Mauritius client team concept brief and detailed parameters, ATL’s designers were able to accurately produce a range of bespoke and exciting aquarium display designs. The aquarium display tanks vary considerably in size.

All tanks were built in house here at ATL’s production facility in the UK by our own team of construction technicians.

ATL Oceanrium Maurtius display in progress

ATL’s waterproofing technicians expertly coated the displays using GRP composite technology. ATL excels in this waterproofing coating process and has been using GRP composite techniques since the late 1980’s so its a system we and our customers can trust to last.

Operating in the global public aquarium market place means that ATL are very used to optimizing tank design, maximizing size to use all the internal space within shipping containers.

ATL loading displays for Oceanarium Mauritius

ATL tanks optimize sizes for global shipping

Some of the displays such as the large lagoon tank was too large to transport by sea and maneuvered into the site in one piece so this was designed and constructed as sectional units for on site assembly.

Large tank section lift by ATL in Mauritius

All of ATL’s aquarium displays for the Oceanarium Mauritius project are fitted with clear cast acrylic viewing panels. The viewing panels vary in shape from large flat panels, thermoformed concave or convex shaped panels, blown hemispheres or 360 degree acrylic cylinders. ATL undertook all of our own acrylic fabrications.

ATL tunnel for lagoon display Oceanarium Mauritius

Within each of the tanks a stunning realistic back drop was created. Using client team supplied photographic references our team of creatives produced stunning replica decor.

ATL tank decor in progress

ATL in tank theming Oceanarium Mauritius

Oceanarium Mauritius ATL coral decor in progress

The emphasis was on ‘realistic’ and so high is the quality of our replication that its tricky to tell apart from the real thing- a real accolade indeed!

Once our tanks were completed all were fully hydro tested to prove functionality prior to final inspection and protection for export.

All ATL tanks are hydro tested at factory

Once the display tanks were shipped out from the UK they were met on site by our own installation technicians team who expertly installed the aquariums into their final positions. The larger tanks were then assembled and completed in situ. This included the on site tank construction, viewing panel installation and in tank decor.

This project was a really enjoyable one for our team. Once the current pandemic subsides, im sure the Oceanarium Mauritius will be an undoubted success and will provide a worthy additional attraction to the area as well as providing many employment opportunities for many local people. From the ATL team we wish the project every future success.

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As leaders in aquarium technology, ATL were the selected OEM to provide a range of new displays for the new ZSL Whipsnade zoo aquarium. The project saw our team designing, building, delivering and installing a series of stunning new exhibits for the new the ZSL Whipsnade zoo aquarium in Bedfordshire. ATL were able to demonstrate a complete turnkey service in house allowing us to undertake an ambitious delivery programme enabling ZSL Whipsnade Zoo aquarium to open for the all important summer trading period. The Zoological Society London (ZSL) is world renowned for its ambitious conservation programmes. Take a look at the following video:

This is the first aquarium in the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s 90 year history and will be the first in the UK dedicated to highlighting conservation of the most threatened and extinct-in-the-wild freshwater fish. For more details see the BBC

A series of large bespoke aquarium displays were supplied for 10 of the planets most extreme and specific aquatic habitats with exacting species requirements.

Showcasing a secret world beneath the water, this ZSL Aquarium will be home to fish which have developed astonishing abilities in order to survive in a huge range of strikingly different environments, including the dusky narrow hatchetfish, which jumps out of the water in the flooded forests of Brazil to pluck low-hanging fruit and seeds from trees.

Caribbean mangrove killifish can survive out of water for as long as 66 days.

Omani blind cave fish navigate through pitch black caves without eyes. Not only are some of the fish extinct-in-the-wild, but for some, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is one of the only places in the world where they still exist.

Fish that can jump out of the water to pluck fruit from trees, have evolved to no longer need eyes, or even live out of water for more than two months, are among the incredible species that will call ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s new Aquarium home.

Taking visitors on a round-the-world journey through ten of the planet’s most extreme and fascinating aquatic habitats, from a vibrant flooded forest in Brazil, to an African puddle, the Aquarium will bring families face-to-face with some of the rarest and most unique fish species in existence.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s Aquarium Team Leader Alex Cliffe said: “It will be the first Aquarium in the Zoo’s almost 90-year history, and it will be an incredibly vibrant, colourful, sensory experience that not only reveals the secret life of fish, but gives an insight into the conservation work underway to rescue some of the world’s most incredible fish from the brink of extinction.”

“As well as making their way around the world, through Caribbean mangroves, Middle-Eastern caves and Vietnamese streams; visitors will be able to look into the ‘engine room’ of the breeding

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo aquarium has been an amazing project for the entire ATL to have worked on. For more details take a look at this ZSL Whipsnade Zoo aqaurium feature

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Our team secured the project to upgrade the rock pools for Macduff Marine Aquarium, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. A substantial grant of £33,000 from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group was secured. ATL  were delighted to be awarded the contract to modernise the rock pool area and provide a display allowing the animals to be more appropriately viewed. The new tanks needed to provide a more interactive experience linking all the aquariums visitors to the aquarium staff during the popular talks sessions.

The original tanks were very small and due to their heavy method of construction, difficult to maintain and show off typical rock pool beasties.

The original rock pools were in need of an update

Macduff aquarium displays officer Chris Rowe explained that the previous 12-year-old concrete tanks were “crumbling” and causing operational and husbandry issues and said he was delighted to be involved in the design of a new tank. Working closely with the ATL team allowed us the flexibility to create exactly what we wanted. 

He added: “We’ve now got an environment that’s safe for the animals where they don’t have to come out of the water as often so people can still enjoy it.”

The original tanks occupied a tight exhibition space on the main visitor route. The remit was not only to make better use of this space but also produce a display that allowed better flow of visitors and allowing all round access. A site visit was arranged and after much deliberation a shape of display was agreed. It was decided that the tank should be curved to provide as many viewing opportunities as possible.

The tank design was finally agreed and ATL’s techicians set about building bespoke these bespoke rock pools for Macduff.

The rock pools for Macduff in progress at ATL

The rock pools display was entirely prefabricated offsite in our work shop here in Weymouth. The curved acrylic viewing panels and a ‘head in’ viewing dome was added to providing a quirky underwater view were also formed here on site and fitted together with all internal tank plumbing. Offsite production offers many advantages including minimising site installation periods and therefore being less disruptive for attraction operators. A .

The in tank decor and theming was produced by our creative team to closely replicate the local rock strata seen all around Macduff aquarium.

Richie creating the basis of the rock work from the brief

The shape of the rocks was carefully considered together with the on site curatorial team to create various shallow and deeper areas to allow animals to be rested.

Creating shallow pools in the rock work allows animals to be rested

Once the rock pools for Macduff were delivered to site these were installed into location. ATLs creative team arrived on site and completed the in and out of tank theming leaving behind a new seamless rock pool for Macduff aquarium visitors to enjoy.

Rock pool nearing completion

ATL theming nearing completion

ATL theming nearing completion

In addition to the rock pools for Macduff we also provided two new stand alone cylinder displays. These tanks provide improved viewing potential for more delicate animals such as living shark egg cases.

ATL ‘eggs’ cylinder display in action

Macduff marine aquarium recently launched their new rock pool zone and everyones agrees that its a major improvement.

Adults as well and children admire the views

Aquarium staff interact with young visitors

ATL dome provides a fun ‘head in’ view

Children love interacting with the new rock pool

ATL has long been established with Macduff Marine aquarium. Our team built the original tanks in 1996 and its a great pleasure to continue this special relationship over two decades later. For more details take a look at the Macduff’s new touch pools

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