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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Recently the Macduff marine aquarium in Scotland underwent a major refurbishment and upgrade. ATL were appointed as specialist works contractor to complete the water proofing, acrylic glazing refurbishment and re theming of the aquariums central feature ocean display. The ATL aquarium refurbishment team completed various stages of the works. The original tank lining needed to be removed and a new GRP composite aquarium lining applied.

ATL GRP tank lining

ATL are specialists in the application of composite tank linings. We have many years of experience and a proven track record of success in projects around the world. ATL offer different colour options for tank walls and floors as standard. In operation fish can move the base substrates around and expose the floor lining. If the base colour is a neutral or natural colour then exposed sections of lining become less obvious to the viewer. A minor point but ATL recognise this issue and offer this as a standard but very effective advantage of a two colour lining system.

ATL offer 2 colour tank lining systems

As part of the ATL aquarium refurbishment in Macduff we undertook the resealing of all of the acrylic viewing panels. This involved carefully cutting away the 20 + year old sealant, cleaning and applying new seals. After 20 years of trouble free service, welcoming many thousands of visitors the underwater viewing windows needed some care and attention. All of the acrylic windows underwent full remedial polishing in situ to remove scratches and marks and restoring them back to a near new condition.

ATL in situ aquarium window refurbishment

New water proof lining and revamped under water windows meant that the tank theming and in tank décor needed to be replaced. The opportunity was also taken to improve the in tank pipework set up to allow more adjustable flows. This will develop natural currents and flows within the tank environment and allows the site team display kelp more effectively than before. The ATL team also produced all of the new rock features creating a stunning new seascape. ATL use only mortars suitable for long term submersion in seawater supported on inert plastic support mesh and ties so there is no chance of corrosion of the support structures. Being a native marine aquarium with a bias for local Scottish species the rock work has been styled to closely resemble the local strata seen around the Macduff coastline. There’s plenty of local reference to base it on!

ATL rockwork in progress

ATL aquarium refurbishment services are widely used in projects around the UK, Europe and across the world. ATL believe in seeing their products in service for the long term. ATL was involved with the original building of Macduff Marine Aquarium back in 1996 so its great to be able to go back in 2017 and continue the success story going forward.

ATL newly refurbished aquarium in Macduff

Macduff marine aquarium is a lovely example of a local aquarium with complete emphasis on showing local native species and is well worth a visit. More information can be viewed at viewed at

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