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window which allowed safe, low level access into the tank for the local demolition contractors to begin removal of the outdated tank decor.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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Following a successful tender process, ATL were awarded the specialist crocodile exhibit work scope on Bristol Zoo’s central African project by Beard construction Ltd. This state of the art facility will house critically endangered West African slender – snouted crocodiles and is located at the new Bristol zoo site located just off junction 17 of the M5 motorway. The facility opens to the public on the 1st April 2026.

Working alongside the exhibit designers Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios we helped develop the specific exhibit detailing. As with all projects the preplanning and specification of cast in pipework is vital to ensure it was included during the pool construction works. This included bespoke drain box sumps with dedicated air feeds to clear detritus and debris reducing the need for keepers to enter the exhibit in operation. Our GRP composite lining technicians provided bi colour water proofing to the entire exhibit areas including the extensive off show and back of house areas.

ATL composite water proofing application at Bristol Zoo’s central African forest

We designed and manufactured the large semi submerged low iron heat soak toughened and laminated glass viewing panels. The overhanging roof canopy of the building presented our skilled glazing technicians with a challenging installation. However using state of the art robotic vacuum lifting equipment the windows were safely installed and successfully sealed in position.

Large glass viewing panel installation

ATL team guiding the glass panel into the rebate

Bristol Zoo’s animal team were heavily involved with the concept design of the exhibit theming based around very specific habitat requirements for the crocodiles and fish. To help visualisation and to ensure continuity between initial concept and final design a 3d scale model was commissioned from reputed attraction industry expert David Lazenby This model proved invaluable and was used to refine and develop the final habitat design.

A scale model of the Bristol Zoo crocodile theming

As the exhibit matures it will be full of natural planting and ATL incorporated a series of bespoke composite hydroponic planters into the back drops. To closely replicate the conditions found in the wild, these planters are directly fed with fast flowing system water before returning back to the pool. ATL collaborated with their long standing partner Koda Creative who were entrusted to deliver the naturalistic habitat theming and artificial decor for the project.

Creating the shapes of the mud bank theming in Bristol Zoo

Planting in progress. In tank theming included mud banks with tree roots and under hangs for fish and a stream cascade across the land area.

Meanwhile behind the scenes our life support technicians installed all of the dedicated life support system (LSS) equipment for the crocodile exhibit. This included a large drum filter, full flow ultra violet disinfection, Co2 injection and exhibit water temperature regulation using energy efficient heat pumps. Key water parameters are constantly monitored with probes and sensors linked to the environmental services panels. Other specialist contractors provided a rain water recovery and reverse osmosis system providing top up water for the system.

Part of the LSS room in Bristol Zoo central African forest

ATL drum filter installation for the croc tank

Last week ahead of the opening to the public, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh who has been Patron of Bristol Zoological Society since 2013, went behind the scenes at Bristol Zoo’s central african forest project to meet volunteers, conservationists, and animal keepers.

This is the latest in a long line of project collaborations between ATL and Bristol Zoo dating back into the 1990’s. We are proud to have supported Bristol Zoo’s central african forest project. Rather than traditional zoo enclosures, the site is being developed as an immersive conservation zoo, where visitors experience large, naturalistic habitats designed around the needs of wildlife. We certainly look forward to seeing Bristol Zoo’s approach flourish into the future. More details can found here

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