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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