Inside the Okeanos Design Process

A common question we get from first-time clients is: what actually happens? They have seen a project they admire, they have an idea of what they want, and they want to understand the process from initial conversation to the moment the tank is running with fish. This is that explanation.

Phase 1: Consultation (Week 1–2)

Every project begins with a conversation — typically a site visit for New York area clients, or a video call for national and international projects. We discuss your vision, the space, your budget range, and your lifestyle. How much time do you want to spend thinking about the aquarium? How important is it that it is always perfect? How do you feel about maintenance visits? These answers shape the design direction as much as the aesthetic preferences do.

After the consultation, we provide a preliminary concept with a rough investment range. If we are aligned, we move into formal design.

Phase 2: Design (Weeks 3–6)

Our design phase produces the documentation that everyone downstream needs. For the client and their design team: 3D renderings of the installation in context, material and finish specifications, and a final investment proposal. For the contractor and MEP team: structural load calculations, equipment room layouts, plumbing rough-in drawings, and electrical load schedules. This documentation allows our installation to be fully integrated into the construction schedule rather than retrofitted at the end.

Phase 3: Fabrication (Weeks 6–14)

Custom tanks are fabricated to our specifications — low-iron glass or optically clear acrylic, depending on the application. Equipment is sourced and configured. Cabinetry is fabricated by our millwork partners. This phase runs in parallel with construction when possible.

Phase 4: Installation (On Schedule)

Installation typically takes two to five days depending on project scale. We coordinate with the general contractor for access and sequence, handle all plumbing connections to rough-in, and commission all equipment on-site. The tank is filled, chemistry is established, and the biological cycle begins.

Phase 5: Aquascape and Livestock (Final 2 Weeks)

Once the system is cycled and stable, our aquascape team designs and places the rockwork, coral, and plants. Livestock is sourced, quarantined, and introduced in a sequence designed for compatibility and health. We do a final walkthrough with the client and transfer care to our maintenance team.

From first call to final fish, most residential projects run 12 to 16 weeks. Commercial projects with more complex structural integration may take longer. Contact us at 212-244-9555 to start the conversation.