At Oceana we consider the construction of scale models to be an essential step in the design process of any sizeable project. We pride ourselves not only in the ability to build incredible exhibits, but also in our capacity to design and construct world class scale models.

We work closely with the client to construct the model exactly as specified by the design requirements. This includes specific coral placement according to the client’s exact needs, which can be either 100 % scientifically correct, or can be a more interpretive placement based purely on aesthetics. No matter how complex the design might be, we can modify and adapt the model many times over until we get the desired effect exactly right.

This results in very highly detailed models that they are essentially identical to what the full size exhibit will look like. This leaves nothing to the imagination and the client can rest assured that everything he sees in the model will be represented in the full size exhibit, right down to the last coral.

Our exhibits (no matter how large) can be completely prefabricated ahead of time in our factory. Our exhibits can be built months in advance, completely independently of the construction of the physical tank structure on site. In fact, it is not uncommon for us to completely finish the construction of an exhibit before the concrete foundation of the tank has even been laid on site. This saves tremendous amounts of time, which is always a scarce commodity in any construction project.

This system is very different compared to other companies who typically have to build the entire exhibit on site, from the ground up. This is a lengthy and messy process and requires the waterproofing to be completely finished before construction of the exhibit can take place.

Thanks to our large premises even the most enormous prefabricated exhibits can be inspected and approved by the client prior to shipment and installation on site. This can be done either by photograph or by a physical inspection at our factory. This gives total peace of mind to the client as it eliminates any surprises, and ensures that they are getting exactly what they expected. At this stage any required aesthetic changes are easily achieved prior to shipment.

With other companies, the client only gets his first look at the finished product when it is fully installed inside the tank. This is very late in the process and any changes at this stage are usually costly and time consuming.

Once approved by the client, the exhibits can be disassembled into sections and shipped to their final destination. Upon arrival on site the exhibits can be quickly and easily installed by our small team of skilled technicians. Since everything is completely prefabricated, installation is always a clean and straightforward affair consisting mainly of re-assembly and minor touch ups. There is no shotcrete blasting, no complicated construction, and no mess.

In contrast, other companies typically need much longer periods of time on site and the entire process of finishing an exhibit is usually complicated and messy. They also typically require large teams of foreign workers for very long periods of time, which can be complicated for VISA and work permit requirements.

Under certain circumstances our skilled team can even perform “wet installations” on operational pre-existing aquariums that need refurbishment (without removing any water or fish inside the tank).
(Click here for more info on wet installations)

During installation we use special bonding techniques to position and secure our exhibits to the interior of the tank. This does not interfere with the pre-existing waterproofing in any way and completely maintains the integrity of the tank.

In contrast, other companies typically need to drill support pins right through the waterproofing and into the concrete. Although these pins are then re-sealed, this can alter the properties of the original waterproofing and can lead to conflicts of responsibility between exhibit builders and waterproofing contractors.

In addition, our exhibits are completely non toxic and chemically inert from day one. There is absolutely no risk of any chemicals “leaching” into the water during the initial stages of filling the tank and placing livestock.

At Oceana, we believe we have the best coloration techniques in the industry. We specialize in hand painted coloration that allows us achieve any imaginable shade, tone, and variety of color. This results in vivid and realistic exhibits that can be tailored to specific customer preferences and that never peel or fade even after decades in the water.

Our exhibits are made almost entirely from FRP, which is a time honoured non toxic material renowned for its durability in water. Due to the hard and non porous properties of FRP, colonization of unwanted algae occurs much less compared to other materials and removing algae from FRP is easily achieved with routine brushing and maintenance.

FRP is also extremely tough and has a higher strength to weight ratio than steel. With certain additives, FRP can be made extremely impact resistant and slightly flexible without losing any of its strength. This results in very durable exhibits that are highly resistant to mechanical breakage and can also be made shark and turtle resistant.

All of our exhibits and corals are 100 % artificial, and every single item is fabricated from scratch in our facility. We have a mould library that comprises of thousands of corals and other aquarium related elements. Taking into account color variations and different colony types, we can produce an almost unlimited variety of corals. This allows us to create diverse and dynamic exhibits and avoid any type of monotonous repetition.

We also have a unique and varied selection of giant “super-size” corals which greatly improve the visual impact of certain exhibits.

Recently, we have also developed an un-matched selection of Mediterranean corals and organisms. (click here for more info on our Mediterranean corals)

(please note: we only provide fully finished exhibits, and therefore do not sell individual loose corals under any circumstances)

Our corals are fixed to the rock using a very strong and completely seamless bonding technique, which allows them to emerge naturally from the rock without a visible attachment line. This tried and tested technique practically eliminates the possibility of coral detachment from the rock.

With other companies, corals are typically attached to the rock using nylon pegs and an epoxy/cement collar around the base of the coral. This system has its disadvantages and it’s a well known problem that corals often detach from the rock during routine maintenance. In addition, the collar around the base often breaks away due to poor adhesion to the coral, exposing a visible and very unnatural looking seam line.

Our FRP exhibits require minimal thickness to achieve maximum strength, therefore water displacement in the tank is far lower than with other materials (such as shotcrete or FRC) which are much thicker and can displace up to 1/5 of the water volume of the entire tank.

FRP is also very lightweight and (unlike shotcrete or FRC) has negligible weight when submersed in fresh or saltwater. This allows our exhibits to have no significant weight impact on the bottom of the tank. This is beneficial because it eliminates the need to engineer additional weight capacity to the support structure of the tank.

Thanks to the minimal thickness of FRP, our exhibits are fabricated to accommodate tens of thousands of invisible vent holes. This tried and tested method allows water to diffuse naturally between the front and back of the exhibit and completely eliminates the possibility of water sequestration (and consequently hypoxia/anoxia). In contrast, a thick and heavy shotcrete or FRC structure is typically much harder to accommodate for ventilation behind the rockwork.

If (at some distant point in the future) the client wants to change the existing theme and décor of a tank, it is possible to remove or un-install our FRP exhibits without damaging the integrity of the tank. In contrast, a shotcrete or FRC exhibit is typically impossible to remove without seriously damaging the structure of the tank, and is usually 100% permanent.

• Superior craftsmanship and attention to detail developed over decades of experience

• Excellent designs and highly detailed scale models, exactly as per client’s requirements. (Allows you to see exactly what you get…… before you commit)

• Fast construction times and the ability to prefabricate exhibits of any size, ahead of time. (Allows you to inspect the finished product at our factory…… before shipment)

• Highly durable and completely non toxic FRP construction which never deteriorates or fades even after decades in the water (unlike other materials such as polyurethane)

• Realistic and vivid coloration without being too “Cartoonish”

• Enormous mould library of thousands of corals and other aquarium related elements

• Fast installations and no waterproofing issues

• High “Value-for-Money” compared to our competitors