Its 33 years since SEALIFE Scheveningen aquarium first opened its doors in 1993. This was the successful aquarium brands first foray into the European marketplace. Back then things were very different. The aquarium attraction market was relatively untested by anyone other than established European attraction operators. SEALIFE Centres saw an opportunity and invested heavily into a prominent seafront aquarium location in Den Haag Scheveningen. The SEALIFE Scheveningen sites success led to a major roll out of SEALIFE branded aquarium attractions across Europe. After many years of successful trading it was decided to redevelop the SEALIFE attraction giving it ATL’s Dutch aquarium refurbishment treatment.

Last year the SEALIFE Aquarium in Scheveningen closed its doors to enable the significant redevelopment works to begin. Many of the fish were carefully rehomed at industry leaders Dejongmarinelife

The ATL team were entrusted to provide aquarium refurbishment services for the existing tanks including waterproofing, sealing and theming works for the main ocean exhibit. In addition we designed and installed some stunning new tanks to enhance the existing displays. Starting with the central ocean tank display. Following some structural repairs, the ATL team applied a new bi-colour GRP waterproof coating to the tank structure.

Our GRP lining works in progress

This included installing new surface skimmers to improve water flows and circulation to match the upgraded LSS installation works undertaken.

ATL lining and tunnel sealing works

ATL’s creative team team set about building and installing a stunning new themed back drop for the aquarium including tropical reef rockwork and artificial corals, replica ship wreck components even carved lion figure heads and realistic shipwreck cannons featured.

The lion statue and bowsprit takes shape

ATL work in progress on the ocean tank

Our coral theming work in the ocean tank

All of the acrylic viewing panels including the walk through 180 tunnel panels were completely resealed and cosmetically polished to return them to ‘as new’ condition. Once again we worked alongside independent acrylic engineering specialists ISP Gmbh who tested the acrylic panels confirming the continued service condition. Following this essential testing procedure our creative teams continued the coral reef theme out into the tunnel walkway.

The tunnel walk walkway before being decorated

ATL coral work continued to the tunnel walkway

Walk through the remodelled tunnel walkway

During the closure the opportunity presented itself to upgrade and refurbish other significant displays including the ray pool and Amazonia tanks alongside a plethora of smaller exhibits.

Elsewhere around the site we provided significant levels of 3d rockwork and features in areas such as the new sea at night zone which features glowing UV corals and an immersive wave projection wall.

Toby inspecting progress on the wave wall before we theme around it

The head up cylinder forms a central part of the sea at night area

Putting the finishing touches to the sea at night area

A brand new rockpool zone features a series of ATL’s popular shallow sea creature exhibits was also added.

Existing tanks were rethemed to match the new rockpool features

ATL’s rockpool and shallow seas tanks feature in the revamped attraction

The new interactive rockpool is always popular

SEALIFE Scheveningen was officially reopened by the mayor.

The refurbished aquarium was officially opened by mayor Van Zanen

It was lovely opportunity for us to be able to provide ATLs Dutch aquarium refurbishment skills to this project. Some of the ATL team were even involved in the original installation works so it really did feel like a ‘full circle’ project for us. Despite all of the set backs along the way typical of such a major aquarium revamp, this was another amazing ATL team effort seeing us delivering the finished project on time and on budget. ATL specialise in aquarium, zoo and visitor attraction refurbishment projects- feel free to contact us for help, guidance or just for the friendly and practical advice needed for your next project.

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After months of planning Southend Sealife adventure has reopened its doors to unveil its exciting new exhibits. The enclosures and displays are proving to be a huge hit with their customers. The Aquarium Technology Ltd team has been involved this project from conception through to completion. ATL worked closely with operational staff and a team of engineers, architects and contractors to ensure the best possible use of the available space. The ATL penguin display is part of a range of new exhibits and displays.

These new displays signify a major £680,000 investment in the Southend sealife adventure site, part of the Stockvale Group. As is often the case, it wasn’t all about the works that are on show to the public. Behind the scenes a major enablement project also took place. ATL’s specialist technicians and LSS plumbers worked to enable a major overhaul and upgrade of the aquariums on site water storage facilities. Location constraints dictated that new GRP composite reservoirs had to be installed in sections and assembled in site. The plant room now boasts increased on site water storage capacity to accommodate the new exhibits. Our aquarium plumbing team were able to work on the systems ‘live’ to ensure that the aquarium did not lose vital access to water for any length of time. Quite an achievement in itself!

ATL’s long trusted GRP composite lining system has been used to provide waterproofing to the penguin plunge pool. Acrylic viewing panels were also installed and sealed by ATL. The main viewing panels allow both above and below water views of the amazing penguins.

Existing attraction sites rarely have generous room for future expansion and Southend was no exception. Architects faced a real challenge with the space they had to work with and have achieved a great result.

Space being at a premium presented issues for the location of the penguin pool filtration system. With a brief for ozone disinfection, bio filtration, protein skimming and traditional particle filtration required to maintain the pool water quality, ATL opted for a bespoke skid mounted system design. ATL worked with a specialist manufacturer to design a suitable system that achieved the brief. The system was installed and set up by ATL and brought on line ready for the penguins much anticipated arrival.

As well as the new ATL penguin display, our team designed and installed two larger tropical fresh water aquarium displays to house some of the aquariums super sized specimens which had outgrown their old tanks. A new cylinder tank and a large display providing viewing from both sides have been added. Both displays incorporate bespoke in tank décor and localised LSS units. Both of these tanks were fully prefabricated at ATL, delivered and craned into site.

ATL’s prefabricated tank system enables offsite leaching which following, quick site installation allows the tanks to be maturated quickly. ATL are recognised as the leaders in aquarium technology.

The ATL team has been proud to be involved with this project which im sure will provide many years of enjoyment for visitors to one of Southends destination attractions. For more details about the project and everything else that Southend sealife adventure has to offer please follow

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