Its nearly 25 years since the ATL team originally installed the SEALIFE aquarium in Helsinki, Finland. Situated a 10 minute tram ride from the metropolis of the city and adjacent to the historic Lina maki amusement park, Sealife Helsinki has attracted millions of visitors since first opening its doors. It was therefore decided that now, was the right time to refurbish and upgrade the large ocean tank feature to provide an enhanced visitor experience.

Once again ATL was Merlin Entertainments chosen partner to undertake the specialist works for the Sealife Helsinki ocean tank refurbishment. Back in the late Autumn specialist Sealife teams ensured the fish were carefully removed and rehomed before the ocean tank was drained down. Our team then undertook removing the large theatre window which allowed safe, low level access into the tank for the local demolition contractors to begin removal of the outdated tank decor. With the window removed and the tank empty of debris our technicians set up and painstakingly prepared the tank for the application of a new water proof lining system.

ATL team painstakingly preparing the Sealife Helsinki ocean tank for lining

This time around we offered our bi colour GRP composite waterproofing system with ocean blue walls and sand coloured floor areas.

Finishing touches to the ocean tank waterproofing process in Helsinki

ATL’s bi colour GRP lining system

After 25 years of trouble free service the acrylic viewing panels were in need of some care. Once all of the original sealants were removed, the walk through acrylic tunnel sections, portholes and vertical cylinder panels were all cosmetically polished inside and out returning them to new condition.

Cosmetically polishing the ocean tunnel

A new formed acrylic ocean theatre window was produced and delivered to site. On arrival this presented us with the usual tight access challenge starting with getting it physically into the building in -10C with snow on the ground! As ever the ATL installation team worked their magic and the panel was safely installed.

Installing the new theatre window into the building

There had been a number of historic modifications made to the original LSS filtration system set up. These modifications had not all necessarily resulted in improved water parameters. So it was decided that whilst the tank was empty to suggest and make some ATL improvements to the filtration system. ATL’s technicians revaluated all of the system equipment and made changes that have now resulted in major improvements to water flow and resulting clarity. We also installed new full flow ultra violet disinfection to the different systems. All of this work delivers the water parameter improvements needed and equally important ensures the LSS systems are easier to monitor and maintain by the on site team.

Full flow ultra violet disinfection units were added to the LSS system

ATL improvement works in the Helsinki plantroom

Seizing the rare opportunity to have the ocean tank emptied presented a blank canvass, so the SEALIFE Helsinki team deigned a new aquascape they wanted to achieve. Once again ATL worked closely with their specialist partners Koda Creative . Together we delivered amazing new theming concept with realistic tropical reef scenery, including swim throughs and two large totem head iconic features. A selection of ATL’s own artificial corals were installed to really bring the scenery to life.

Koda creatives Iconic feature totems in Sealife Helsinki

Theming features in Sealife Helsinki

view from ATL’s vertical cylinder viewing panel

Black tipped reef shark enjoying the newly decorated tank

Once completed our technician team installed and sealed into place a new 3m x 2m formed acrylic viewing window into the newly renovated ocean tank viewing theatre and the tank was finally ready to be filled.

During refilling our team returned to site to commission the new life support systems and to conduct final inspections and checks. Everything pleasingly worked to plan and the tank restocking completed successfully.

A black tip reef shark cruising across the ATL renovated underwater tunnel in Sealife Helsinki

The exhibit officially reopened last week. We are all really pleased with the end result and this successfully concludes another amazing aquarium refurbishment project that ATL the leaders in aquarium technology team has delivered. I have no doubt that the SEALIFE Helsinki ocean tank refurbishment will ensure it remains Finlands premier tropical aquarium attraction. More details can be seen 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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ATL’s aquariums have now been successfully installed into the new Sealife Legoland Hotel aquarium in Nagoya, Japan. The new and exciting ATL aquariums have been entirely designed and built here in our Weymouth factory and shipped to Japan. There are a range of ATL tanks in the latest Japan attraction from specialist micro’s tanks used for displaying seahorses, pop up tanks, close encounter kids rock pools through to a large sectionally constructed shoaling ring display have now been expertly installed on site by ATL’s supervision team.

Sectional tank with theming

A large 7 metre long harbour display was built in 2 longitudinal sections, each section weighing nearly 2000kg and sized to fit the largest available export containers. Tank sections of this size and weight needed specialist handling and expert installation teams. Displays produced in fewer, larger tank sections allow for fast track on site assembly once each section was lifted onto the displays level 2 floors up!

ATL 7m harbour tank prepared for lifting

ATL large harbour display is craned 2 floors up

Following on from the success of ATL’s first venture into Japan, these are the next generation of ATL tanks in the latest Japan attraction at LEGOLAND, show casing the very latest state of the art tank theming, in tank decor and artefacts of the highest quality.

ATL quality theming and tank decor

ATL artificial corals

ATL’s superior quality viewing panels were produced and installed using flat, thermoformed or blown cast acrylics and will show off the tank contents and of course the amazing creatures perfectly

ATL acrylic viewing panel

ATL was nominated as the aquarium displays vendor for this project following an extensive pre qualification period. During pre quantification we were able to demonstrate why ATL is the leader in aquarium technology and our provenance for delivering high quality aquarium displays for the demanding visitor attraction market. The SEALIFE Nagoya aquarium project has been a special project for the entire ATL team and the culmination of many months of hard work.

ATL’s products and services are supplied worldwide and can be found in a variety of aquarium, zoo, contemporary art and museum attractions in addition to research and educational establishments.

More details of the grand opening of this project on 15th April 2018 can be found at sealife nagoya

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