At a glance
Compare Aquarium Architecture for close collaboration with an architect or designer, Aquarium Design International for broad turnkey installation, and Tenji for an aquatic exhibit or renovation. Ask each to identify the team, included work, and ongoing care available at your address.
Your starting point
Compare the shortlist
Compare project fit and ongoing care before requesting quotes. Installation coverage does not guarantee maintenance at your address.
Aquarium Design International
Best overall design-build choice
Aquarium Architecture
Best for architecture-led luxury interiors
Tenji, Inc.
Best for fabrication, institutions, and retrofits
Compare installation and ongoing care
| Rank | Company | Best for | Installation and ongoing care |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aquarium Design International | Best overall design-build choice | Project coverage: Worldwide projects; recurring service in three U.S. markets Maintenance: Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties; New York Tri-State; and Los Angeles and Southern California |
| 2 | Aquarium Architecture | Best for architecture-led luxury interiors | Project coverage: International projects; New York and London offices Maintenance: Maintenance is offered, but the checked pages do not define a local service radius |
| 3 | Tenji, Inc. | Best for fabrication, institutions, and retrofits | Project coverage: United States; offices in California and Maine Maintenance: Animal care and maintenance are offered; the checked pages do not define a recurring-service radius |
Choose the strength that matches your brief
Aquarium Architecture: Start here when collaboration with your architect or interior designer is central. Its services run from consultation through maintenance, but ask the team to confirm the actual installation and service arrangements at your address.
Aquarium Design International: Compare for a complete design-and-installation brief with worldwide project delivery. Its named U.S. maintenance markets help frame the aftercare conversation; outside those markets, ask whether a service affiliate would be involved.
Tenji: Compare for a public-facing exhibit, fabrication-intensive brief, or renovation. Its portfolio includes institutional settings and its services include installation, repair, and animal care. Ask how those services would be delivered at your property.
Send three companies one brief
Keep the location, intended living system, dimensions, viewing goals, equipment space, and care expectations identical. Ask each company for its proposed team, included services, work assigned to others, and one comparable completed project.
Compare the drawing and handover each firm proposes. A helpful distinction is who owns the design coordination, who delivers the physical installation, and who will care for it once that team leaves.
01 / Best overall design-build choice
Aquarium Design International
Consider this company for a complex residential, hospitality, or commercial aquarium needing fabrication and broad project reach.
Ask whether your address is directly serviced or would use a service affiliate, and have the proposal name the maintenance provider.
Explore Aquarium Design International02 / Best for architecture-led luxury interiors
Aquarium Architecture
Consider this company for a design-sensitive home or hospitality interior coordinated closely with architects and designers.
Ask who will coordinate the aquarium drawings with your architect and millworker, and which team will provide care at your address.
Explore Aquarium Architecture03 / Best for fabrication, institutions, and retrofits
Tenji, Inc.
Consider this company for a public-facing, institutional, or renovation project needing broad U.S. capability.
Ask for a comparable exhibit or renovation and have the proposal explain how fabrication, installation, and animal care will be coordinated.
Explore Tenji, Inc.Send the same brief to your finalists
Include the project address or city, room photographs, intended reef or freshwater system, approximate dimensions, construction stage, and preferred maintenance arrangement. Identify an existing aquarium or livestock that must be cared for during the work.
Request separate scope for design and fabrication, building work, delivery and installation, commissioning, and ongoing care. Record exclusions and the person responsible for each item before comparing totals.
Make the final choice
Compare Aquarium Architecture for design-team collaboration, Aquarium Design International for broad turnkey delivery, and Tenji for an exhibit or renovation. Decide using the project-specific team, scope, and care plan each proposes.