Building The Natural History’s Marlin Tank
At the Natural History Museum, the Marlin Tank is a striking display featuring a real blue marlin preserved inside a large glass case filled with a clear solution, primarily cycerol. Measuring around four metres long, the fish was found off the Welsh coast and carefully conserved using scientific techniques to prevent decay. Suspended in the tank as if it’s swimming, the specimen offers visitors a rare, up-close look at a powerful ocean predator that is almost never seen in UK waters.
Designing The Marlin Tank
Designing the marlin tank at the Natural History Museum required a balance of technical accuracy and thoughful visual design. Because the specimen is so large and delicate, the tank had to be tailored to support its weight while creating the illusion that the fish is suspended mid-swim. We worked closely with the museum, we used AutoCAD to model the structure in detail, allowing them to plan everything from the tank’s dimensions and load-bearing capacity to how light would pass through the liquid and glass. The result is a custom built display that not only preserves the marlin safely but also presents it in a way that feels lifelike for visitors exploring the many attractions the museum has to offer.
Construction Phase
A tank this size is likely to come with its challenges… safe to say this one was no different. The sheer weight of the panels exceeded any efforts that man power could have offered, we had to call in the machinery for this one. Luckily, we boast over a decade of history in moving large commerical glass panels, coming from a background in architechural glazing, we was able to safely crane the panels into the building.
We used structural silicone to bond the panels together, further strengenthed by aluminium braces, this was key in the build as it gave us peace of mind knowing that the tank would stand the test of time.
A Decade Later
After more than ten years in operation, the Marlin Tank continues to safely house and display the remarkable specimen, demonstrating the durability of its construction and the rigidness of its design. The tank not only preserves a rare marine creature but also remains an engaging and educational feature for visitors, highlighting how thoughtful planning and modern tools like AutoCAD can create exhibits that truly stand the test of time.
