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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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 awarded the contract to complete the refurbishment of the ever popular reptile house at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Originally built in the 1980’s the existing reptile house exhibit was much loved by all who visited but in need of an update.

Much loved by all. Bristols Zoos reptile house before the refurbishment

However with so many plants, animals and tiny creatures living happily amongst the foliage, rocks and crevices any refurbishment works could only take place once all of the creatures were safely re homed. A project of this size required meticulous front end planning with the zoo’s husbandry and gardening teams.

Original features

The refurbishment works involved the surface preparation of the existing linked pools and land area’s to accept a GRP composite water proof lining system. Large natural boulders and features needed to be moved and retained for reuse later.

pools before the upgrade

Irregularities of pool shape including a ‘cast in’ pebble pool base meant that large area’s of the pools had to be first spray rendered in specialist mortar before we could apply a GRP linings to it. With a hard wearing impervious GRP composite pool lining in place work could begin on the re theming and decoration of the enclosure. Working closely with the requirement of the zoo’s animal keeper team we have created a new and exciting habitat.

ATL tree trunk carvings cleverly hide building columns

Building support columns were cleverly disguised with realistic hand carved tree trunks , roots and fallen logs provide pool separation zones. With washed out river boulders and mud banks all helping to compliment any naturally planted areas. Special attention was given to providing nesting sites and haul out areas within the theming.

ATL washed out banks and mud features

Working together with our other trusted specialist partners the ATL team has really helped to transform this exhibit into keeper friendly and most importantly a realistic, natural beastie friendly environment.

The zoo teams are now hard at work putting the finishing touches to the enclosure and preparing it ready for the reintroduction of the beasties into their revamped home. Bristol Zoos reptile house is due to reopen to the public soon.

ATL is proud to be involved with yet another delightful project at Bristol Zoo. We have a long standing working relationship with the Zoo and we have been involved with many previous projects together. Bristol Zoo welcomes over half a million visitors per year to its grounds in Clifton.

For more details of the reptile house refurbishment visit Bristol Zoo Gardens

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Earlier this year ATL secured a major contract to supply bespoke aquarium displays to a new project in China.

ATL has long been regarded as the leader in aquarium technology. ATL was selected to supply a series of high quality aquarium display tanks for a new public aquarium project. This latest ATL project was for the new SEALIFE project in Chongqing, China. Using our tried and trusted prefabricated display system meant the GRP composite tanks could be entirely prefabricated in ATL’s workshops here in Weymouth.

All ATL aquarium tanks comes complete with an integral plinth and includes intrinsic safety device, integral skimmer overflow/ weir box, pump pockets and associated pipework connection. All of these essential items are carefully disguised from the viewing side.

Each of the ATL aquarium tanks is fitted with a high quality flat or thermoformed acrylic viewing panel. A variety of blown pop up domes, spun cast cylinders and walk through underwater tunnels designed specifically for children add fun and also provide really close up views of the creatures.
ATL has their own in house thermoforming ovens and plant. These facilities provide ATL with complete production flexibility and ultimately provide ATL’s customers with unrivalled project turnaround times.

The inside of each ATL tank has been decorated with the highest quality décor to provide a realistic replica habitat. The variety of habitats range from tropical reefs complete with artificial corals to mangroves root environments. Other tanks include rusty ship wreck plates, anchor décor, tea chests depicting international trading connections, ancient pottery vases, replica swords, helmets and shields. Working closely with the clients own specialist creative and animal husbandry teams ensured each ATL tank met the highest habitat expectations.

Alongside our prefabricated displays, ATL has also manufactured maintenance free GRP composite water dump/surge effects for use on the concrete site built displays. The largest crash- dump effect has a 1000 litre (1 ton) capacity meaning that this really will makes its presence felt!

As part of the overall exhibition, ATL designed and built a large bespoke jelly fish display. Whilst this tank is designed to be viewed only from the large acrylic front glazing panel, it is glazed both sides with the rear panel providing a provision for state of the art L.E.D back lighting. Whilst the bespoke octopus display tank incorporated safe and secure ‘escape proof’ lids.

Once complete each of the ATL aquarium tanks is subjected to full hydro testing proving functionality prior to final cleaning, inspection and export protection.

Less than 4 months from initial order the final batch of high quality ATL aquarium displays were carefully loaded and secured into shipping containers and are now making their way across the pacific to their new home in China. This demonstrates how ATL understands the importance of high quality, fast track manufacture is to its customers. SEALIFE Chongqing is due to open its doors in early 2017.

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Aquarium Technology Ltd has completed another full aquarium refurbishment. This time saw ATL in Malmo Museum Aquarium in Sweden. The ATL team designed, manufactured and installed an entirely new range of GRP composite display tanks including glass and acrylic viewing panels and stunning underwater themed aquascapes. The habitats vary from coral reefs, shipwrecks and cannon, shoreline and native fresh water habitats. ATL also provided theming to a range of large aqua terrarium displays.

Larger aquarium displays formed part of the basement structure and therefore were produced on site in concrete. The ATL team provided GRP waterproof linings to each of these tanks before installing the large acrylic viewing windows. The largest tank has a 6m wide single piece acrylic viewing panel which needed to be craned over the museum before the aquarium roof was installed.

ATL installed and commissioned an entire range of dedicated life support systems to complement the project. To support the project , behind the scenes the ATL team designed and installed separate breeding and quarantine tanks and systems.

From the outset ATL’s designers and project managers worked closely with the Swedish exhibition architects, interior designers and the client team to provide a high quality exhibit.

ATL is proud to have been involved with the Malmo Museum aquarium refurbishment.

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