AquaDream: the world's largest conical aquarium now open in the Mo

Harlequinmania · January 5, 2012

Click through to see the images.

: Close-up of the aquarium.

International Concept Management, the creators of the massive AquaDom, has done it again. They have succeeded in creating the world's largest cone-shaped aquarium and like it's predecessor the AquaDom it has an elevator that travels down through it where riders can get up close and personal with marine life like sharks, rays, and other marine life. This aquarium is the centerpiece in the luxury Morocco Mall in Casablanca and has been named AquaDream.

While not as large as it's predecessor, it still measures in at an impressive 9.3 meters tall by 13.4 meters across at its widest point (30.5 feet tall by 44 feet across) and contains 1 million liters (264,000 gallons) of water. The aquarium is shaped like an inverted cone and takes guests on a five minute elevator ride to the top floor of the mall while educating them about reef life. As it stands, the aquarium houses over 3,000 animals comprised of over 40 species.

: An example of the marine life an elevator rider would see as they take the elevator to the next floor.

: Through the elevator view.

One interesting fact about the aquarium was that it needed to be designed and installed to resist earthquakes. To overcome this hurdle, the aquarium was designed to be completely free-standing and its base is actually completely isolated from the foundation of the mall in which it resides. As evidence to its robust design, two tremors shook the area during installation - neither of which damaged the structure in any way.

Because of the size, the actual aquarium exterior had to be manufactured in seven pieces and assembled on site. The interior elevator shaft was manufactured in one piece and lowered into place once the exterior pieces were assembled and bonded together.

The life support system of the installation turns over 100% of the water per hour and includes fail-safes in case of power outages:

: A multitude of filters supporting this installation.

To give you an idea of the sheer size of this aquarium, here are two videos. The first one was shot from the outside of the aquarium and the second one was shot from inside the elevator: