Tonglu Aquarium Project – Leyu Case

Tonglu Aquarium Project – Leyu Case

The Tonglu Aquarium Project – Leyu Case, also known as Xuyu Water Palace, is a representative large-scale acrylic aquarium project delivered by Leyu. Located in the north area of Tonglu Service Area on the G25 Changshen Expressway, the project combines a giant cylindrical seawater aquarium with an immersive underwater sightseeing experience.

For Leyu, this project is more than an aquarium installation. It demonstrates our ability to handle thick acrylic panels, oversized acrylic structures, custom fabrication, precision installation, sealing, and commissioning as an integrated process.

The project brings a professional aquarium-grade acrylic structure into a highway service area, creating a new type of transportation and cultural tourism space that combines marine landscape, public attraction, and immersive viewing.

A Large Acrylic Aquarium Built for an Immersive Experience

The Tonglu Service Area project features a large vertical cylindrical acrylic aquarium. The tank is more than ten meters in both height and inner diameter, with a total water volume approaching 1,000 tons. It was designed and constructed according to professional aquarium pressure-resistance requirements.

The aquarium also incorporates an underwater sightseeing elevator passage, allowing visitors to experience the underwater environment from within the water body rather than simply viewing it from outside.

This combination of a giant acrylic cylinder and an underwater sightseeing passage creates a strong visual impact while giving the aquarium a distinctive architectural character.

Tonglu Aquarium Project at a Glance

The project timeline began with detailed design and custom production of ultra-thick curved acrylic components in late 2025. Main construction started in spring 2026. Despite confined working conditions and multiple trades on site, Leyu completed acrylic cylinder installation, joining, sealing, waterproofing, and structural commissioning. Final inspection, full-water pressure testing, and ecosystem commissioning were completed in the first half of 2026. The project officially opened in mid-2026.

Why Thick Acrylic Panels Matter in Large Aquarium Projects

For a large seawater aquarium, the viewing material is not simply a transparent panel. It is an important part of the overall structure and directly affects viewing quality, pressure resistance, durability, and long-term operation.

This is why thick acrylic panels are central to Leyu’s large aquarium engineering.

For the Tonglu project, Leyu used thick, high-transparency cast acrylic panels with an optimized formulation. The material provides pressure resistance, creep resistance, and structural stability under a water volume approaching 1,000 tons.

The acrylic also incorporates UV protection and provides resistance to seawater corrosion, aging, and yellowing. These characteristics are important for a public tourism project intended for long-term operation.

Unlike ordinary transparent materials used mainly for visual purposes, thick acrylic panels for large aquariums must work as part of a pressure-resistant system. Their material performance, thickness, fabrication method, joining method, installation accuracy, and sealing system all need to work together.

For Leyu, the material itself is only the starting point. The real value comes from integrating material selection with engineering design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning.

Leyu Custom Acrylic Fabrication for the Tonglu Aquarium

The core challenge of the Tonglu project was the custom fabrication and installation of an oversized pressure-resistant acrylic cylinder.

The complete acrylic system—including load-bearing acrylic structures, transparent viewing panels, and sealing systems—was custom manufactured and installed by Zhangjiagang City Leyu Plexiglass Products Factory.

Large aquarium structures cannot simply be produced as standard products and installed on site. Every project has its own dimensions, structural requirements, transportation conditions, installation environment, and visual requirements.

For this reason, Leyu approaches large aquarium projects through customized engineering.

From the initial acrylic component production to final installation and commissioning, the process is coordinated to ensure that the material, structure, joining, sealing, and installation requirements are considered as one system.

This approach is particularly important for projects using thick acrylic panels, where oversized dimensions and heavy structural requirements make fabrication and transportation more challenging.

High-Precision Bulk Polymerization Joining

One of the key technical challenges was the transportation of the oversized acrylic cylinder.

Because the cylinder was too large to be transported as a single piece, Leyu used a mature bulk polymerization joining process. Curved acrylic components were aligned with millimeter-level precision and joined through same-source resin polymerization.

The process also included annealing, temperature-controlled curing, and multi-stage precision polishing.

The goal was to make the joints barely visible while maintaining the high transparency required for the aquarium and the pressure stability required by the large water volume.

For a large cylindrical aquarium, joining is not only an appearance issue. It is also closely related to structural stability and long-term performance.

The joining process therefore needs to balance three key requirements:

1. High optical clarity

2. Reliable structural performance

3. Stable pressure resistance

Through controlled fabrication and precision joining, Leyu was able to assemble the oversized acrylic cylinder on site while maintaining its visual and structural requirements.

Precision Installation in a Confined Construction Space

The Tonglu project also presented significant installation challenges.

The construction area was enclosed, the civil works had already been completed, and multiple trades were working within the same space. This created strict requirements for the installation accuracy of oversized acrylic components.

Leyu developed a dedicated lifting plan for the project and used a laser curvature calibration system to control installation stress and avoid structural deformation.

For large acrylic structures, installation accuracy is especially important. Improper positioning or excessive installation stress can affect the final geometry and long-term performance of the structure.

The sealing system was also designed as an integrated structure combining acrylic, steel structure, and water-stop channels. This design helps distribute circumferential water pressure and reduce leakage risk.

Through this combination of lifting planning, precision calibration, structural coordination, and integrated sealing, Leyu completed the installation under challenging site conditions.

A Composite Structure for Underwater Viewing

Another important feature of the Tonglu Aquarium Project is its composite structure.

The project combines a giant acrylic cylinder with an integrated underwater sightseeing tunnel. This structure was designed to accommodate landscape display, water-system operation, and visitor access.

Functional positions were reserved for water circulation, aquascaping, and passageways, allowing the structural and operational requirements of the aquarium to be considered together.

Instead of treating the acrylic viewing structure as an independent component, Leyu integrated it with the overall water system and landscape design.

The result is an immersive underwater space that combines structural safety, visual quality, water circulation, maintenance requirements, and visitor movement.

This project shows how thick acrylic panels can be used not only as viewing windows, but as part of a larger architectural and aquarium system.

From Acrylic Material to Complete Engineering Delivery

A major advantage of working with Leyu is that our role is not limited to supplying acrylic sheets.

For the Tonglu project, Leyu acted as the general contractor for the acrylic system and completed the process from custom panel production and component fabrication to precision installation, sealing, and commissioning.

This integrated approach allows us to coordinate different stages of a project more efficiently.

Leyu's Core Capabilities

The Tonglu project required these capabilities to work together. The oversized structure, confined site, seawater environment, and large water volume created a project that could not be handled effectively through material supply alone.

Leyu's role was therefore based on integrated engineering delivery.

Long-Term Acrylic Performance for Seawater Applications

Seawater aquarium projects require materials that can maintain performance over long operating periods.

The Tonglu project uses high-transparency cast acrylic with UV protection, seawater corrosion resistance, aging resistance, and resistance to yellowing. These properties are intended to support long-term public operation.

For Leyu, material performance must be considered together with fabrication and installation quality.

A high-quality acrylic panel still requires correct processing, joining, polishing, structural support, sealing, transportation, and installation.

That is why our approach to thick acrylic panels focuses on the complete engineering process rather than the panel alone.

The Tonglu project demonstrates this principle through the combination of customized acrylic fabrication, bulk polymerization joining, precision installation, integrated sealing, and final commissioning.

Leyu Packaging and Transportation Support

Oversized acrylic products require careful protection before they leave the factory.

Before shipment, Leyu protects acrylic surfaces with PE film to help reduce the risk of scratches, dust, and surface damage during transportation and handling.

Depending on the size, shape, transportation requirements, and project conditions, the acrylic products can be packed in KT-board wooden crates or other suitable protective packaging.

For projects that require additional structural protection during transportation, an iron frame can also be provided if required. The iron-frame packaging is selected according to the actual product and transportation conditions rather than being used as a standard requirement for every shipment.

This packaging approach is particularly important for large and customized acrylic components, where safe transportation is an essential part of the overall project process.

LESHENG Custom Installation and After-Sales Support

Large acrylic aquarium projects do not end when the products leave the factory.

Through LESHENG-related service support, customers can receive assistance with customized installation, maintenance, and after-sales requirements according to the project scope.

For custom aquarium projects, installation conditions can vary significantly from one site to another. Site access, lifting conditions, structural interfaces, sealing requirements, and maintenance needs may all require project-specific coordination.

For this reason, installation and after-sales support are an important part of Leyu's overall project service.

The objective is to provide customers with support from product delivery through installation and subsequent maintenance, helping ensure that the acrylic system continues to meet the project's operational requirements.

Tonglu Aquarium Project as a Leyu Benchmark Case

Large-scale seawater acrylic aquariums have traditionally been associated with professional aquariums and large cultural tourism complexes.

The Xuyu Water Palace project at Tonglu Service Area brings aquarium-grade pressure-resistant acrylic engineering into a highway service-area environment. It provides a new example of how transportation and cultural tourism spaces can be upgraded through immersive marine landscapes.

For Leyu, the project is also an important demonstration of our technical capabilities.

The project required the company to address several challenges at the same time:

• Oversized acrylic structures

• Large water pressure

• Curved acrylic components

• On-site joining

• Confined installation space

• High installation precision

• Integrated sealing

• Long-term seawater protection

By completing the acrylic system through customized fabrication, installation, sealing, and commissioning, Leyu demonstrated its ability to deliver large-scale and high-difficulty acrylic aquarium engineering.

The Tonglu Aquarium Project therefore represents more than a single acrylic installation. It is a practical example of Leyu's integrated capabilities in custom acrylic manufacturing and aquarium engineering.

Why Choose Leyu for Large Acrylic Aquarium Projects?

When selecting an acrylic supplier for a large aquarium, customers need more than material specifications.

They need a partner capable of understanding the complete project—from thick acrylic panels and custom fabrication to transportation, joining, installation, sealing, and after-sales support.

Leyu combines these capabilities into one project workflow.

Our experience with large acrylic structures allows us to focus on:

Customized Manufacturing

Acrylic components are produced according to project-specific requirements.

High-Precision Fabrication

Curved and oversized components require controlled processing and accurate alignment.

Professional Joining

Bulk polymerization joining helps achieve high clarity and reliable structural performance.

Project Installation

Dedicated lifting and calibration solutions are developed for challenging installation environments.

Integrated Sealing

Acrylic, steel structures, and water-stop systems are coordinated to manage water pressure and reduce leakage risks.

After-Sales Service

Customized installation, maintenance, and after-sales support can be arranged according to project requirements.

The Tonglu project brings these capabilities together in one large-scale application.

Conclusion

The Tonglu Aquarium Project – Leyu Case demonstrates how large-scale acrylic engineering can combine material performance, precision fabrication, structural safety, and immersive design.

From thick, high-transparency cast acrylic to bulk polymerization joining, from precision installation to integrated sealing, every stage was developed around the requirements of the giant aquarium.

As the acrylic system general contractor, Leyu completed custom panel production, component fabrication, installation, sealing, and commissioning. The project also demonstrates Leyu's ability to manage oversized, high-difficulty custom acrylic aquarium structures.

For future aquarium, marine tourism, underwater viewing, and large transparent architectural projects, Leyu continues to provide customized acrylic solutions based on project requirements.

FAQ

1. What is the Tonglu Aquarium Project?

The Tonglu Aquarium Project is the Xuyu Water Palace project located in the north area of Tonglu Service Area on the G25 Changshen Expressway. It is a large immersive cylindrical seawater acrylic aquarium.

2. Who supplied the acrylic system for the Tonglu Aquarium Project?

The acrylic system was custom manufactured and installed by Zhangjiagang City Leyu Plexiglass Products Factory, which served as the acrylic system general contractor.

3. What type of acrylic does Leyu use for large aquariums?

The project uses thick, high-transparency cast acrylic with an optimized formulation for pressure resistance, creep resistance, and structural stability.

4. Why are thick acrylic panels used for large aquariums?

Large aquariums require materials that can provide high transparency while meeting demanding structural and pressure-resistance requirements. Thick acrylic is therefore suitable for large viewing and structural applications when properly engineered and installed.

5. Can Leyu manufacture custom acrylic panels?

Yes. Leyu provides customized acrylic manufacturing for project-specific sizes, shapes, and structural requirements.

6. How are oversized acrylic cylinders transported?

When an acrylic cylinder is too large to transport as one piece, it can be fabricated in sections and assembled on site using bulk polymerization joining technology, as demonstrated by the Tonglu project.

7. Does Leyu provide acrylic aquarium installation?

Yes. Leyu can provide customized installation and project implementation services, including lifting, alignment, joining, sealing, and commissioning according to project requirements.

8. How does Leyu package acrylic products before shipment?

Acrylic products are protected with PE film before shipment and can be packed in KT-board wooden crates. Iron-frame packaging can also be provided if required by the product or transportation conditions.

9. Does LESHENG provide maintenance and after-sales service?

LESHENG-related service support can include customized installation, maintenance, and after-sales assistance according to the project scope and customer requirements.

10. Can Leyu provide a complete acrylic aquarium solution?

Yes. Leyu's project capabilities cover custom acrylic material, component fabrication, joining, precision installation, sealing, commissioning, packaging, and related after-sales support.

Related Search

• Tonglu Aquarium Project

• Tonglu Service Area Aquarium

• Leyu Acrylic Aquarium

• Leyu Acrylic

• Large Acrylic Aquarium

• Giant Acrylic Aquarium

• Acrylic Aquarium Manufacturer

• Acrylic Aquarium Supplier

• Thick Acrylic Panels

• Thick Acrylic Aquarium Panels

• Large Acrylic Panels

• Custom Acrylic Panels

• Cast Acrylic Aquarium

• Seawater Acrylic Aquarium

• Cylindrical Acrylic Aquarium

• Acrylic Aquarium Tunnel

• Underwater Acrylic Tunnel

• Giant Acrylic Cylinder

• Pressure-Resistant Acrylic

• Custom Acrylic Aquarium

• Acrylic Aquarium Engineering

• Acrylic Aquarium Installation

• Acrylic Aquarium Maintenance

• Large Acrylic Tank Manufacturer