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Aquarium Design Specialists
We list below the major aquarium projects M.J. MURPHY LTD has been involved with as Consultants (from present day back to 1985):
 LIVE LOBSTER TANKS - NAPIER, NZ
Year: 2007
Website: www.aquahort.com
An interesting project, currently under construction, for Moana Pacific Fisheries Ltd (a major fishing company in NZ). M.J. MURPHY LTD teamed up with live lobster and fisheries expert John Seccombe of AQUAHORT LTD, to design and build 9 specialised concrete tanks to house up to 8 tonnes of live lobster, with flexibility to accommodate live crabs and shellfish. A sophisticated state-of-the-art life support system was designed, incorporating Aquahort heat/chill pumps to cool the saltwater. The lobster tanks are suspended over large underground biological filter tanks, which ensure that the water is maintained in a safe and pristine condition. The whole complex is housed in an insulated panel room to minimise energy losses. Resistance to saltwater corrosion and water leakage was paramount. 40MPa high quality low shrinkage concrete was used, with Xypex admix to mend any cracks, and the tanks painted with a special Resene paint system.
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LARGE AQUARIUM FOR NEW HOUSE - TAURANGA, NZ
Year: 2007 (still under design)
Website: www.artgame.com
M.J. MURPHY LTD has been engaged by well-known commercial artist and marine enthusiast Royce McClure (amazing fish paintings), to provide aquarium advice and to design 2 new 2.4m x 1.2m acrylic windows for a new 5.0m x 5.0m x 2.0m deep triangular fish tank, to be built in his new house in Tauranga, NZ. Work still ongoing. Will be truly spectacular.
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 NEW PENGUIN POOL FOR INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE – CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
Year: 2006
Website: www.iceberg.co.nz
This fascinating project was designed and built in 2006. M.J. MURPHY LTD was engaged by the popular Antarctic Centre to provide tank design and layout advice for their large new display tank to house a colony of Little Blue Penguins. Also engaged to design and detail all acrylic viewing windows and their concrete support rebates. There are a number of smaller windows, but the spectacular main window is 6.0m x 3.0m x 120mm thick, and weighs 2.5 tonnes. The water level is approximately at half-height so viewers can see the landscaped shoreline above, where the penguins nest. This window has also been sloped back at 8 degrees to help avoid unwanted reflections. Since opening, the new attraction has been very successful, adding an extra 30,000 visitors per annum.
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AQUARIUM TUNNEL – COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
Year: 2006
We were engaged by an enterprising well established aquarium company in Sri Lanka to provide aquarium advice and design a new T2.4m acrylic tunnel x 9m long, for a proposed new 700m³ shark tank. The design is complete, and the project is ongoing, but construction is currently postponed by unfortunate Tamil Tiger action in the country. We wish our clients a successful outcome in the future.
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PALMA AQUARIUM - MALLORCA, SPAIN
Year: 2002-2007
View Plan
Website: www.palmaaquarium.com
This huge aquarium project (US$50m) has just been completed. M.J. MURPHY LTD was engaged for the complete structural design and detailing of the giant 3500m³ concrete shark tank (water depth between 4.5m - 8.5m), and the large concrete gravity sand filter tanks which will keep the water clean for the Shark Tank and other tanks.
We worked closely with clients Coral World International Ltd, and their expert engineer Mike Sloane to produce a state-of-the art aquarium which will undoubtedly wow all visitors. An amazing team effort.
The Shark Tank incorporates numerous very large acrylic windows (up to 250mm thick) and a spectacular rectangular acrylic tunnel (by others). The shark tank is very complex in shape, and has a storage room underneath the shallow end. A very challenging project. 40 Mpa high quality low shrinkage concrete was used, with silica fume and Xypex Admix to fill and heal any cracks.
Our work also included structural design of over 10 large fish display tanks (in concrete) up to 150m3 in volume...fondly termed 'small tanks' but they are actually as large as an average lounge.
A truly spectacular aquarium, and a 'must see' while in Mallorca.
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HILTON MALDIVES UNDERSEA RESTAURANT - THE MALDIVES
Year: 2005
Website: Official and Wikipedia
Video: Click here
The complete design and supervision of a revolutionary new undersea restaurant in the Republic of Maldives, Indian Ocean, for Crown Company and Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa. Incorporating our 5 metre wide acrylic arch profile, and a stairway at one end, the 175 tonne unit was built in Singapore, transported to site on a huge crane barge, and sunk under the sea, with over 85 tonnes of dry sand as ballast.
Its location is alongside a beautiful coral reef. Sand ballast was used, so in the future it can be removed, and the Unit will float to the surface again, where it can be repainted and maintained.
The restaurant proudly survived the awful 2004 Boxing Day tsunami without damage, (the wave almost topped the stairway), and has opened for business in April 2005. Hilton Hotels have called the restaurant "Ithaa" which means 'pearl'.
The project has featured in the May 05 issue of the IPENZ magazine (Institute of Professional Engineers of NZ), and in many other magazines around the world.
Click here to read more about this project
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SWIMMING POOL WINDOW - AUCKLAND RESIDENCE
Year: 2003
Website: www.palmaaquarium.com
Well known industrial designer David Melrose bought 2 adjacent houses and decided to build a large shotcreted concrete lap pool between them, with access tunnel underneath, and a large underwater double acrylic window in the side of his pool facing into a basement lounge. Very spectacular and interesting project. M.J. MURPHY LTD was engaged to design and detail the 2 acrylic windows (each 1700 wide x 2100 high) and their structural steel and concrete supports. Actual pool design by others. Construction photo shows window opening on left of pool.
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SEAWATER INTAKE AND OUTFALL PIPELINES FOR PALMA AQUARIUM - MALLORCA, SPAIN
Year: 2001
Website: www.palmaaquarium.com
Extensive site investigation, followed by full design and detailing of seawater intake and outfall pipelines, 600m out to sea, and 250m inland, in 2001, for the Palma Aquarium.
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ACRYLIC WINDOWS FOR SWIMMING POOLS - AUSTRALIA
Website: www.aquatonic.com.au
M.J. MURPHY LTD has been regularly engaged by Brisbane specialist firm Aquatonic Pty Ltd to design various acrylic windows for prestige swimming pools, including elevated pools on upper floors of multi-storey buildings (high wind loads), and for high quality residences.
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 NEW SEA LION POOL - AUCKLAND ZOO, NZ
Year: 1999-2001
Website: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/aucklandzoo/attr_sealions.php
Design and detailing of new 5.4m x 2.8m x 140mm thick underwater acrylic viewing window for new Sea Lion pool (approx 800m³ pool), and advised on concrete design and construction methods. Designed in 1999. Construction in 2000-01.
Featured in NZ 'TRENDS' Magazine, dated March 2002, Vol 18, No.2.
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ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS TO KELLY TARLTON'S UNDERWATER WORLD - AUCKLAND, NZ
Year: 2001
Website: www.kellytarltons.co.nz
Preparation of concept plans for proposed major alterations to the Antarctic Encounter area and the Interactive Exhibition area, in 2001, and full design of new entry building to the restaurant.
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UNDERWATER GLASS WINDOW - 'HERCULES-XENA' TV SERIES
Year: 1999
Design and detailing of 1.3m x 2.1 m high x 57mm thick glass underwater window for film set for Pacific Renaissance Pictures Ltd - Auckland. Also designed the reinforced concrete surround structure for the window
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LARGE DISPLAY AND PERFORMANCE POOL - NIGHTCLUB IN AUCKLAND, NZ
Year: 1999
Design and detailing of large display pool used for underwater performances, for the popular Mermaids Bar in Auckland. The first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. This concrete pool is 4.5m x 1.9m x 2.3m high, with 3.6m long x 1.8m high underwater acrylic window. M.J. MURPHY LTD also designed the pumping, filtration and heating systems. An important criteria was also incorporation of various safety features for the performers. We supervised tank construction in 1999. Shotcrete concrete was used very successfully. Acrylic supplied by Classique Plastics Ltd, Napier.
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BUBBLE WALL TANKS, SKY CITY CASINO - AUCKLAND, NZ
Year: 1998
Website: www.classique-plastics.com
Design and supervision of construction of 6 acrylic bubble tanks (visual feature wall located in Casino gaming floor). Viewed from both sides. Includes 5 air jets per tank, high and low pressure. Timing of jets coordinated with various colorful lighting patterns, controlled by computer. Produces spectacular swirling bubble patterns. Acrylic tanks, compressor and ozone treatment supplied by Classique Plastics Ltd, Napier.
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CORAL REEF TANK - PORT VILA, VANUATU
Year: 1998
Design and supervision of manufacture (in NZ) of large fully acrylic display tank (2.4m x 0.7m x 0.7m high) for a private owner for their house in Vanuatu.
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NEW CIRCULAR FISH TANK - PORTOBELLO, DUNEDIN, NZ
Year: 1998
Website: www.marine.ac.nz
Design and construction of new 1.8m diam. x 2.4m high circular acrylic fish tank for the main foyer of the Marine Studies Centre, Portobello, Dunedin, - including stainless steel base, internal pipework and rockwork. Fabricated and installed by Classique Plastics Ltd, Napier.
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SAN SEBASTIAN AQUARIUM - SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN
Year: 1996-1997
Website: www.aquariumss.com
View Plans
Specialist Aquarium Designer (96-97) for major extensions to existing aquarium, including new 2000m³ shark tank, 8 smaller fish tanks (4 - 42m³); life support and filtration systems design; 30m long T-2.8m acrylic tunnel; MJM's world-first new 360º underwater acrylic tunnel (10m long); numerous flat sheet underwater acrylic windows (up to 6m x 3m); new theatre, souvenir shop, classroom, touch pool, restaurant, 2 MicroWorld units, quarantine and laboratory areas, and future exhibition area. A truly spectacular aquarium.
MJM work included concept plans, architectural layouts, part of structural engineering; full acrylic works and life support systems design; rockwork theming design, and site supervision during construction. Construction in 97-98. Cost approx. NZ$18M.
MJM was a finalist (in the top 3 in NZ) in the 1999 IPENZ Engineering Excellence Awards, for our innovative work on the 360º acrylic tunnel for the San Sebastian Aquarium.
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GUANGZHOU OCEAN WORLD - CHINA
Year: 1998
Design and detailing of underwater acrylic tunnel (2.4m wide) and various large flat sheet acrylic windows for aquarium tanks, and curved cantilevered 'anti-splash' acrylic windows for the huge dolphin performance pool (subcontracted to Australian consultant).
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SOUTHERN ENCOUNTER AQUARIUM - CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
Year: 1996-1997
Website: www.southernencounter.co.nz
Filtration, pumping and pipework design and detailing for over 30 fish tanks, in new aquarium complex in downtown Christchurch. Included water supply and discharge ring main systems and header tanks. Also included design of a high water flow system for a long race tank for trout, and life support / piping design for the main spectacular shark tank. Also design of the pre-filtration and UV treatment system in 4 large tanks in the basement. Sea water had to be trucked in regularly from the sea and treated to provide fresh makeup water.
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MAUI OCEAN CENTER - HAWAII, USA
Year: 1996-1998
Website: www.mauioceancenter.com
M.J. MURPHY LTD was engaged by aquarium owners Coral World International to team up with their expert life support engineer Mike Sloane to design and detail all the filtration, pumping and pipework for their huge new 2500m³ shark tank, and life support water distribution systems for over 50 other smaller fish tanks. A big job. The main shark tank's filtration system consisted of a sophisticated series of slow-flow gravity sand biological filters in huge concrete tanks, which are known to provide superior water treatment and clarity. A very interesting project. The Aquarium is a "must-see" if visiting Maui. Designed 1996, construction complete 1998.
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BANGKOK UNDERWATER WORLD - BANGKOK, THAILAND
Year: 1996
Specialist Aquarium Designer for major closed system saltwater aquarium, with similar design brief to Nanjing and Xiamen projects below. 2 major aquarium tanks (total 3000m³), incorporating 2 acrylic tunnels (one sloping) and large 4.5m windows, and MJM's new 360 degree acrylic tunnel. Design 90% finished, but project never built, due to client's circumstances.
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 XIAMEN UNDERWATER WORLD - CHINA
Year: 1996
Specialist Aquarium Designer for 2 - 900m³ semi-closed system saltwater aquarium tanks in Xiamen, - including a 2.5m diameter x 6m high acrylic fish tank, and 15 smaller fish tanks. Work included aquarium building layout design, design of 67m acrylic tunnel and numerous large acrylic windows, moving walkway, aquarium life support systems, and rockwork theming design.
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NANJING UNDERWATER WORLD - CHINA
Year: constructed 1995-1996
Website with more info: www.china.org.cn
View Plans
Specialist Aquarium Designer for 2000m³ closed system saltwater aquarium at the very popular Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum Park in Nanjing, (constructed 1995-1996) - including crocodile pool, and 11 smaller fish tanks. Work included aquarium building layout design, design of 58m T-2.8m acrylic tunnel and numerous large acrylic windows, moving walkway, aquarium life-support systems, salt water-making facilities, and rockwork theming design. This Aquarium is now one of the three most popular education sites in China.
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NATIONAL SCIENCE CENTRE AQUARIUM (PUSAT SAINS NEGARA) - KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
Year: 1993-1994
Website: www.psn.gov.my
View Plans
M.J. MURPHY LTD was the specialist Aquarium Designer for a 300m³ freshwater aquarium for the spectacular-looking National Science Centre, KL, (built 93-94), including design and supervision of a new 5 m wide acrylic tunnel, (see photos - a world first - the widest tunnel yet built in the world!). There are also some smaller flat acrylic windows. We also did design of the filtration, ozone and life support systems, architectural design, structural engineering of the tank and windows, and the rockwork theming design. A very interesting and satisfying job. Our tributes also to client team member Rodney Wright of Perth, WA, for his valuable work.
This tunnel forms the spectacular entry and exit to the Science Centre. The freshwater fish stocked in this tank are amazingly huge and healthy, in an attractive environment, and a "must-see" when visiting Kuala Lumpur..
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KELLY TARLTON'S UNDERWATER WORLD, FILTRATION ADVICE - AUCKLAND, NZ
Year: 1993Investigation of ways to modify and improve the existing water treatment systems and gravity filters, to enable a major extension (Antarctic Experience) to be built.
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SEAL POOL REFURBISHMENTS - MANLY UNDERWATER WORLD, AUSTRALIA
Year: 1992
Design of new 3.6m diam. x 1.2m high acrylic fish tank for the main upper central foyer. The management had decided to remove the existing seal pool on the top floor, plug up the hole down to the lower floor, remove the existing lower cylindrical tank and replace it with a much larger acrylic tank, independent of the top floor. This involved some tricky concrete work, and because of its size, the new cylindrical tank had to be brought in in 4 curved pieces and chemically bonded in place. The result ... a very attractive tank.
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SENTOSA UNDERWATER WORLD - SINGAPORE
Year: 1989-1992
Website: www.underwaterworld.com.sg
View Plans
This very popular aquarium on Sentosa Island is still the No. 1 tourist attraction in Singapore. M.J. MURPHY LTD was engaged as Principal Designer (Conceptual, Architectural, and Engineering), and Coordinator, including design of 2 -1000m³ huge display tanks, 8 smaller fish tanks, external turtle pool, acrylic works (80m long T-2.4m tunnel, various windows and a spectacular 2.5m diameter x 6m high acrylic fish tank at centre of the main circular staircase).
We also designed and detailed the main aquarium life support systems (large gravity sand filters, pumps, piping), moving walkway, and rockwork theming. This was a very challenging and satisfying project, and a "must-see" if visiting Singapore. Project cost approx. S$20m.
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OCEAN PARK SHARK AQUARIUM - HONG KONG
Year: 1989
Website: www.oceanpark.com.hk
Design of 12m long T-2.4m acrylic tunnel and large 6.5m x 2.7m acrylic viewing window for new shark tank. Acrylic works approx. NZ$ 0.5M.
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BERRY SPRINGS ZOO-AQUARIUM - DARWIN, AUSTRALIA
Year: 1989
View Plans
Overall aquarium layout plans for use by Architect (main tank approx. 500m³ - freshwater aquarium), and complete design of 14m long T-2.4m acrylic tunnel and windows. Project cost approx. A$ 2M.
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MOOLOOLABA UNDERWATER WORLD - QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Year: 1989
Website: www.underwaterworld.com.au
Initial concept plans for Architect to utilise (main tank approx. 2000m³), then complete design of 74m long T-2.4m acrylic tunnel and windows. Project cost approx. A$ 8M.
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HILLARY'S UNDERWATER WORLD - PERTH, AUSTRALIA
Year: 1988-1989
Website: www.aqwa.com.au
View Plans
Australia's largest aquarium and underwater tunnel. Initial aquarium concept plans for Architect to utilise (main tank approx 2500m³), then complete design of the 80m long acrylic tunnel, acrylic windows, and filtration system. Project cost approx. A$9M.
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MANLY UNDERWATER WORLD - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Year: 1987-1988
Website: www.oceanworld.com.au
View Plans
This was a very complex, ambitious and challenging project, which involved a complete gutting and refurbishment of the old existing aquarium, building a huge double sheet pile wall x 6m high around the outside to keep out the sea (constant pumping), then building of a complete new circular 'donut' tank around the outside (see Gallery photo). An amazing effort by a dedicated team of clients, consultants, and contractors, and completed in the astounding time of 16 months, including design.
M.J. MURPHY LTD was engaged as the Principal Designer (Conceptual, Architectural and Engineering), including design of the 60m long T-2.4m acrylic tunnel, and windows. Life support was done by the client's own expert team. Main circular shark tank was approx. 2500m³. The upper floor housed a new seal pool and audience seating, with a spectacular glue-laminated timber roof structure overhead which we designed. Project cost approx. A$14m.
For this project, M.J. MURPHY LTD won the SETMA (NZ) PRIME AWARD 1988 for Visual Excellence.
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KELLY TARLTONS UNDERWATER WORLD - AUCKLAND, NZ
Year: 1985-1986
Website: www.kellytarltons.co.nz
View Plans
Initial concept plans for the original Paihia site, (4 hours north of Auckland), then for the final Auckland site, in Auckland's disused sewage treatment tanks under a main road. Project cost approximately NZ $3m. Two main fish tanks approximately 1,000m3 each, plus a 100m long acrylic tunnel, and moving walkway.
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WESTHAVEN FLOATING MARINA - AUCKLAND, NZ
Year: 1984
Website: www.westhaven.co.nz
This (non-aquarium) project was revolutionary for its day, and a 'first' of its type in New Zealand. M.J. MURPHY LTD was engaged to design and supervise construction of a 730 berth floating marina, for boats up to 14m in length. This comprised of 8 main piers, up to 200m long, secured to over 400 timber piles driven into the seabed. The piers were built from 1,110 concrete-and-polystyrene floating pontoons, joined together with treated timber beams and galvanised steel brackets. We also had to design 8 double length specially tapered pontoons to take the eccentric loads from the access ramps from shore, as the tide rose and fell (3.5m maximum tidal range). A truly challenging and memorable project.
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