Waves and Water Motion for Zoos and Aquariums

Located in Cohoes, New York, Aquatic Development Group (ADG) stands out as a leading specialist in enhancing animal habitats within aquariums and zoos. Since the early 1990s, ADG has been at the forefront of providing wave and water motion through our WaveTek wave generation technology to elevate the living environments of various species. Notable installations include renowned institutions such as the Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, and more recently, the sea lion exhibits at the Columbus Zoo and Houston Zoo, along with the penguin exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.

For seafaring animals and shoreline wildlife, recreating natural wave action and water motion is crucial. ADG adapts its expertise in wave generation technology, typically used in theme parks and water parks, to develop lifelike exhibits for zoos and aquariums.

Lew Wemple, Business Development Manager for ADG Waves product line, reflects on the evolution of this industry, "It's fascinating. The demand arose from aquariums and zoos aiming to enhance exhibit realism for the benefit of the animals, and we embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Coming from an engineering and creative background, this endeavor truly intrigued me."

Wemple underscores the importance of understanding how wave action and water motion impact water quality. Drawing from experiences in waterpark wave pools, where techniques like water removal from the pool bottom and surface skimming are common, ADG applies similar principles to aquariums and zoos. "Beyond that," he explains, "waves and water movement play a vital role in oxygenating the water and facilitating filtration processes. This is particularly critical when catering to live coral, which relies on water movement for essential life support functions such as food distribution and waste removal."

ADG's WaveTek wave systems are expertly crafted to transform zoo and aquarium displays into captivating aquatic realms. Through meticulous scale modeling and testing, our award-winning technologies and specialized wave applications are engineered to create lifelike aquatic habitats, enhancing operational efficiency and optimizing water and sound quality for the well-being of marine life.