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The homeowner, who brought valuable construction expertise to the project, approached Fish By Design with a unique vision: a circular pond aquarium at the bottom of his home’s dramatic spiral staircase. This ambitious concept required extensive planning to address both the structural requirements of a 2000-gallon water feature and the specialized life support needs of sharks and rays.
Working closely with the homeowner/contractor, we developed detailed drawings that refined the concept through multiple iterations. The circular design presented unique challenges—the aquarium needed to complement the spiral staircase’s architecture while providing adequate swimming space for large marine animals. We explored options for reef structure placement, overflow and return line routing, and equipment room location. Once the design was finalized and budget approved, the project moved into the construction phase. The contractor provided Fish By Design with a waterproof circular base—a critical foundation that would support not only the substantial water weight but also the custom reef insert we would build directly on site.
The custom artificial reef insert was built directly on site within the circular pond, allowing us to precisely fit the structure to the unique dimensions and shape. Unlike pre-fabricated reef inserts that must conform to standard rectangular dimensions, this custom approach enabled us to create a reef structure that maximized the circular footprint while maintaining proper swimming lanes for sharks and rays. The reef construction process involved multiple components working together: the base structure provides stability and anchoring points, artificial rock formations create caves and overhangs that mimic natural reef topography, and strategic placement ensures the reef structure is visible from the spiral staircase above while creating distinct zones when viewed from the lower level room.
With the reef structure taking shape, the focus shifted to fine-tuning the aquascape and adding detailed elements that would create visual interest from every viewing angle. The artificial coral formations were positioned to create depth and dimensionality, ensuring that viewers looking down from the spiral staircase would see a complex, layered reef structure rather than a flat landscape. The aquascaping design considers multiple viewing perspectives—from directly above on the staircase, from eye level on the lower floor, and from various angles as visitors move around the circular installation. Strategic placement of larger coral structures creates focal points, while smaller details fill in the spaces to create a naturalistic reef environment.
The integrated lighting system does double duty—providing the illumination required for marine life while creating dramatic visual effects throughout the day and night. The programmable LED system was carefully positioned to highlight the reef structure from multiple angles, with particular attention to how the lighting would appear when viewed from above on the spiral staircase. As evening approaches, the underwater lighting system creates a dramatically different atmosphere. Blue and white LED lighting illuminates the reef from within, casting an ethereal glow upward through the water column and creating stunning light patterns on the spiral staircase above. The lighting transitions are programmed to simulate natural dawn and dusk cycles, benefiting the marine life while providing constantly changing visual interest for the homeowner and guests.
The completed 2000-gallon circular pond aquarium transformed the lower level of the home into a stunning aquatic showcase visible from multiple viewing angles. From the spiral staircase above, guests can look down into the circular aquarium, observing the custom reef structure in a mesmerizing circular pattern. The 360-degree design means the aquarium presents beautiful views from every angle as visitors descend the staircase or move around the lower level room. The circular pond aquarium has become the undisputed focal point of this lower level room. Rather than serving merely as decorative background, the aquarium commands attention and creates a sense of connection to the ocean within an inland Southern California estate. The combination of the custom reef structure and the dramatic circular presentation at the base of the spiral staircase creates a one-of-a-kind installation that exemplifies Fish By Design’s ability to execute ambitious custom concepts that merge architecture and marine biology seamlessly.
A circular aquarium is a custom-designed round tank that provides 360-degree viewing from all angles. Unlike traditional rectangular aquariums, circular designs require specialized engineering for water flow, structural support, and aquascaping. Circular aquariums are ideal for architectural installations like spiral staircases where the aquarium can be viewed from above and from multiple perspectives around the room.
A custom 2000-gallon circular aquarium installation typically ranges from $100,000-$250,000+ depending on complexity, site preparation requirements, custom reef fabrication, life support systems, and architectural integration. Circular designs require specialized acrylic fabrication and engineering beyond standard rectangular tanks, which adds to the investment.
This circular aquarium at the base of a spiral staircase represents one of Fish By Design’s most ambitious architectural integrations. The 2000-gallon custom circular pond aquarium serves as a dramatic focal point visible from multiple levels of this Westlake, California residence. Designed to house sharks and rays, the system features a custom artificial reef insert built on-site to fit the unique circular footprint, with all life support equipment strategically located in a remote mechanical room to maintain the clean architectural presentation. The homeowner, who is also a contractor, collaborated closely with our team to bring this visionary concept from initial sketches to spectacular reality.
Westlake is an affluent master-planned community in Ventura County, known for its resort-style amenities, championship golf courses, and luxury estates. Located at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, this prestigious community offers residents stunning natural surroundings combined with sophisticated urban conveniences. The area’s focus on custom architectural design and high-end construction makes it an ideal location for innovative aquarium installations that push the boundaries of traditional residential aquatic systems. Westlake’s emphasis on distinctive architecture and unique design elements creates the perfect environment for statement pieces like this circular stairwell aquarium.
2000-Gallon Circular Saltwater Shark and Ray Aquarium
This custom-designed circular pond aquarium represents a unique fusion of structural engineering and marine life support systems. Unlike traditional rectangular aquariums, the circular design required specialized planning to accommodate large sharks and rays that require substantial swimming space and turning radius. The artificial reef insert was custom-built on-site to fit the circular footprint precisely, creating vertical structure and visual interest while providing shelter and territorial zones for the marine inhabitants. The remote filtration system ensures that the dramatic visual presentation remains uncluttered by visible equipment, with all mechanical components housed on a lower floor for easy access and maintenance.