Tag: aquarium

London Sealife Aquarium Rainforest Adventure

Koda Creative were contracted by Aquarium Technology Ltd to provide the theming for a recent area refurbishment in London Sealife Aquarium.

We provided some trees and rockwork in the new Rainforest Adventure.

Here are some pictures of progress in the Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) habitat. In here we built some imitation kapok (Ceiba pentandra) trees. We also modified the original theming to create easy water access for the crocodiles and provided raised basking areas.

Check out a similar project we did in Bristol Zoo.

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Macduff Marine Aquarium kelp tank renovation

View into the twilight world of the kelp tank.
A moody one. Love the urchins! Photo courtesy of Claire @MMA

Main Contractor: Aquarium Technology LTD
Theming contractor: Koda Creative

We were thrilled to be asked by ATL to provide the artificial rock habitat for Macduff Marine Aquarium’s recent kelp tank refurbish. This aquarium is quite remarkable as it is open topped to allow the sun to stream in and enable local kelp species to grow naturally. Koda Creative is always excited to develop habitats which include natural looking geology alongside real flora. This is the first time we have worked in a live kelp setting!

The project started with ATL and MMA staff demolishing the old theming and removing the existing waterproof layer from the aquarium. ATL then applied a new waterproof membrane and resealed the acrylic viewing windows.

Koda Creative, with the input from MMA staff then designed a rock arch similar to a real one on the nearby coastline. It was important that the new rock resembled the local geology as only local species are to be displayed here.

The armature of the new rock arch and other rock elements was then constructed out of inert plastics before being coated with marine grade sprayed concrete. As usual, the concrete was carved and textured like our reference photographs and pigmented further to match the local rock.

The filtration plumbing and life support systems (LSS) are hidden within the artificial rock. The small ‘loose’ stones you see on some of the ledges have the purpose of anchoring the holdfasts of the introduced kelp.

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Rock arch view from main window. The small stones on the ledges are for anchoring the kelp holdfasts.
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The vertical rock on back wall is hiding the pipes for the filtration (LSS)
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Detail of rock which was made to resemble local geology.
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View from upright acrylic tunnel section.
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Out of tank theming blends in seamlessly with the in tank theming.
Themed rock arch in aquarium
View from main window.
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View from upright tunnel section window.
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In tank and out of tank rockwork.

Hancock Natural History Museum

Main Contractor : Koda Creative

artificial coral
Coral display for small reef fishes.

Recently completed, is  a small project at The Hancock Natural History Museum, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK for IAT. The museum is undergoing a multi-million pound re-fit and is due to open in May ’09. We provided hand carved rockwork and coral effect theming for twelve aquariums and vivariums.

Above, you can see a coral reef tank complete with artificial coral inserts. Also on the agenda were displays for bearded dragons, axoltls, dab lizards, horseshoe crabs, cuttlefish, royal pythons, green tree pythons, corn snakes and desert hairy scorpions.