SEALIFE Great Yarmouth first opened its doors to the public in 1990. During that time the aquarium has seen many changes including various thematic changes to the site including the major ocean tank display. The ocean tank included a viewing theatre with large laminated glass panels. After nearly 35 years of trouble free service it was decided the ocean tank windows needed to be replaced so the opportunity presented itself to rethink the viewing area and replace the glass windows with acrylic. The original glass panels were supported on heavy glass mullions which were typical of tanks of this era. Despite being glass the original mullions were bulky and attempts to disguise them with replica stone columns in combination did nothing to add to the visual clarity of the area.

The original glass viewing panels in SEALIFE Great Yarmouth

Glass viewing panels and mullions

ATL were appointed to provide specialist advice on how the ocean tank viewing area could be modified enabling the use of acrylic panels. Firstly a bespoke lifting beam was designed by the clients structural engineer and installed over the tank. This beam was to be used to suspend the specialist vacuum lifting equipment required to provide support for the heavy glasses as they were being cut out from the rebate. The same system was used to safely manoeuvre and lower the panels out of the tank for disposal.

Our team removing the 35 year old silicone seals

ATL removing the glass mullions from the ocean tank

Harry steadying the glass

Working as intended- failed glass leaf held on the interlayer

All the old glass removed

Various glazing combinations were considered including installing a single span acrylic panel. However a single viewing panel was not considered to be practical as it would involve literally removing the roof of the building with all of the consequential disruption that would bring. So it was decided that the ocean viewing area would be reconfigured using multiple acrylic panels and refined steel support elements. We went about designing and fabricating steel mullions and the existing tank frame was then modified to accept the new mullion supports being welded in on site. Once the structural work on site was complete, ATL’s GRP composite water proofing was applied to the new frame integrating it with the existing tank lining. Full height acrylic viewing panels were then delivered onto site and safely lifted back into the tank, installed and sealed into the prepared tank frames.

Ocean tank viewing panels with mullions

Hydrotesting the new viewing panel installation at SEALIFE Great Yarmouth

The behind the scenes organisation needed to safely rehome all of the fish and other inhabitants are considerable and requires months of planning so the chance to drain the major ocean display doesn’t come along too often. When it does the opportunity is seized to provide new theming features for the tank. ATL typically provide high quality tank decor as part of their package however in this instance the theming work was entrusted to a local specialist. They have recreated the wreck of the HMS Gloucester which sunk off Great Yarmouth in 1682 for more details see HMS Gloucester . Meanwhile the ATL team provided a replacement composite filter bed and pipework at the same time as installing a bespoke composite anti splash screen to the top of the tank.

Our team added a GRP anti splash upstand to the tank perimeter

Further works completed by our multi skilled team included replacing and upgrading various items of life support system equipment including adding an additional full flow ultra violet disinfection unit.

Media filter upgrades at SEALIFE Great Yarmouth

Additional full flow UV disinfection unit was added to enhance the LSS

Finally we designed and built some new aquarium displays to replace some end of life displays in another part of the aquarium exhibition. Using ATL’s prefabricated system of production meant that these replacement tanks could be prefabricated offsite and fast track delivered fully themed and ready to add water and fish.

Winding the clock on 35 years – it was great for the ATL team to be back on site and entrusted with such a technically challenging project and successfully delivering the SEALIFE Great Yarmouth ocean tank refurbishment.

Visitors enjoying the views through the new acrylic windows

The new acrylic viewing panels

The new windows allow close up viewing of the friendly inhabitants.

The fish enjoying their newly refurbished home in SEALIFE Great Yarmouth

More details about SEALIFE Great Yarmouth can be viewed here

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The Royal College of Arts has recently completed a major extension and redevelopment of its Battersea bridge site. As part of the design and innovation campus they have created a state of the art theatre, including a robotics test aquarium tank facility. The theatre, hangar and gallery will provide space supporting the RCA’s vision for collaboration on the design of artificial intelligence (AI) and ground breaking robotics technology. This dedicated space will allow for research, testing and assembly areas for disciplines like intelligent mobility, design engineering, sculpture and robotics, with advanced aerial and aquatic robotics.

The ATL team are very proud to continue playing an important part in providing hardware promoting the furthering of research into new technologies. Likewise we are extremely pleased to have been selected as the key supplier for the test aquarium tank which forms the largest hydraulic element of the testing arena set up.

Working closely in coordination with the RCA’s scientific team enabled us to design and deliver the robotics test aquarium tank to their highly exacting expectations. We were able to build the tank offsite, entirely at our factory and deliver it in one price directly into the RCA’s brand new state of the art robotics hangar facility.

The tank was fabricated at ATL and delivered as a complete unit

Installing the RCA tank into the new robotics test facility at the RCA

Our team of technicians then set about installing the filtration system before final testing and handover the RCA on site team.

Installation nearing completion

Our tank installed at the robotics hangar in the RCA

The robotics test aquarium tank is just one of ATL’s more recent scientific biased projects. We continue to successfully deliver our tanks and services to a range of highly respected educational establishments. We are excited to be currently working on another major specialist project and look forward to sharing details of this soon.

For more details about the RCA ‘s works and for a look at the amazing new robotic research facilities take a look here

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ATL was chosen as the specialist supplier of a range of stunning new exhibits for the soon to be opened SEALIFE Malaysia aquarium based at Legoland, Johur, Malaysia. All tanks were designed and fabricated in house at ATL.

ATL prefbaricated tanks for SEALIFE Malaysia aquarium

Each tank was fully tested and inspected prior to being carefully packed and loaded into shipping containers.

Large prefabricated ATL display being loaded

On arrival in Malaysia the tanks were moved to site and offloaded and positioned by the ATL technician crew.

ATL prefabricated tank structures

Large ATL tank being installed

A new range of display concepts were built alongside a normal array of favorite and proven designs. A large version terrapin tank allows the visitor to walk through a tunnel to get that special view. Other tanks include experimental AV features.

ATL prefabricated tank in final position

Some of these displays too large for shipping so were built sectionally and expertly assembled on site by our team of technicians. A large shoaling ring display was produced in sections, trial assembled at ATL before before being shipped and assembled in situ. This is a proven method of large display construction for ATL and allows us to be able to furnish aquarium spaces with larger displays without the need for bulky concrete structures.

ATL sectional shoaling display

ATL large sectional tank structure in final location

Once again ATL’s creative team created incredible backdrops for all of the tanks with a stunning array of in tank decor and artifact theming. Natural habitat rockwork theming including coral baserock, freshwater mangroves and mud banks, ships timbers all provide stunning habitat and backdrop features. This was augmented by story telling artifacts such as ships wheels, gun barrels, swords, bottles, casks, flasks,crates, pirate portraits and of course an amazing collection of artificial corals were all produced in house.

ATL tank theming and decor artefacts

ATL are proud to be the specialist aquarium partner of the worlds largest aquarium brand SEALIFE and intrinsically involved with their first aquarium in Legoland Malaysia. Keep up to date with this project by following

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LUMOES more readily known as Liverpool University Museum Oceanography Education Society searched the market looking for a reputable aquarium display manufacturer. We were very proud to be chosen and it was announced that ATL supply tank for the LUMOES project.

The LUMOES aquarium project is an exciting new venture being launched this year. The Friends of Liverpool provided the funding for this project. The LUMOES aquarium project will allow LUMOES members to run miniature experiments with marine species and learn about the running of an aquarium and contribute to the all important aspects of aquarium upkeep and maintenance. As part of this project ATL were were asked to follow a specific agreed brief and to design and manufacture a bespoke touch tank. The tank needed to be robust as it is available for use by the LUMOES society to use in schools based events. The ATL prefabricated tank incorporates a formed acrylic viewing panel, a lid, reservoirs and space to house a dedicated water recirculation system within the plinth.

ATL supply LUMOES tank

The feature tank was delivered into the Central Teaching Hub at Liverpool university. Students are encouraged to get involved with all aspects of the project. Its always amazing to find out just much goes on behind the scenes of our educational establishments without ever making the headlines. LUMOES works closely with teams of conservationists on projects around the world. LUMOES raised awareness on important projects such as pressure of fishing stocks, turtle rehabilitation and of course the spectre of marine pollution.

Although this was a small project for ATL it was very rewarding to be involved with a project that sees our products being used to give something back to the education community. More details can be viewed at

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ATL has once again beaten off stiff competition to secure a tank supply contract for a major public aquarium project in mainland China. Aquarium displays of all shapes and sizes have been designed and built at ATL’s headquarters here in the UK. Using ATL’s prefabricated display tank system we have been able to produce exhibits to the highest possible quality and in record time.

This latest batch of ATL tanks for China has now safely arrived on site. The aquarium consignments include small jewel tanks with acrylic viewing panels, full size cylinders with thermoformed 360 degree acrylic viewing, large blown acrylic hemisphere displays and stunning jellyfish exhibits.

ATL GRP composite and acrylic tanks

ATL’s aquarium tanks are well known for their quality and reliability. Our in house team of specialists have been building high quality displays for many years and this has established ATL as the leaders in aquarium technology. Working closely with the client teams we constantly strive to create innovation with new display designs and R & D projects which in turn improves our manufacturing processes. We continue to produce a series of plug and play’favourites’. Tanks such as the kids only tunnel tanks are always a popular display in any public aquarium.

ATL kids tunnel display

With every new project the expectations for the quality of the theming and tank décor rises. ATL is able to achieve tank theming of the highest possible quality. As well as an array of themed artefacts we cater for all of the normal aquarium backdrops including coral reefs, shipwrecks, fresh water banks, mangroves, roots and even impressive tree trunks. We recently hosted a delegation of overseas customers here at ATL. They could not believe the quality of our theming and that our tree trunks were not real. They were so impressed they placed additional orders for their project there on the spot it must be good!

ATL realistic artificial theming

Once the tanks are finished we routinely inspect before we hydrotest each unit for functionality. This ensures that everything that leaves our factory is of the expected quality. Once passed our tanks are meticulously wrapped and protected.

ATL tanks are prebuilt

The ATL team carefully load each display into shipping containers and arrange export. This gives our clients the ability to receive tanks on site of the quality they expect, at an affordable price and within a timescale that’s difficult for other to match.

ATL tanks made to fit

We are rightly proud of our team and their efforts that have ensured the continued use of ATL tanks for China aquarium projects. More details about this project can be viewed atOur success in the region continues and more news will follow soon.

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A series of stunning ATL aquarium tanks are currently being built ready for installation into the brand new Atlantis attraction in Legoland, Dubai. ATL’s tanks are the latest addition to the seventh in the chain of Legoland parks currently under construction within the stunning Dubai Parks and Resorts development.

The ATL aquarium tanks are being entirely prefabricated at our factory here in Weymouth. ATL’s creative team has worked closely with the clients animal welfare specialists. This has ensured that every tank back drop provides not only a very important, realistic habitat for the creatures but also a more serviceable product for the operational team.

This latest Legoland contract has seen ATL design and manufacture touch pools tanks, DUPLO head up displays, 360 degree cylinder displays and even a dedicated LEGO model tank.

Once complete all ATL aquarium tanks will be inspected and hydro tested before being carefully packed and transported to the Legoland site in Dubai.

Its over 25 years since the teams first involvement with aquarium projects in Dubai. Since then ATL aquarium tanks and life support systems have been successfully installed in a range of private residences, scientific institutions and restaurant projects. ATL also designs, supplies and installs GRP/FRP composite water proof coatings for concrete pools, tanks and reservoirs. These durable waterproofing systems complement ATL viewing panels and have been used for swimming pools, ponds and water feature projects across the Middle East.

Legoland Dubai opens is doors to the public later this year and will be part of the ‘ultimate year round destination. More details of this exciting new project can be seen at legoland dubai

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