Ep 4. Roll With It

Tanked is a popular reality show that revolves around the intricate world of aquarium construction. The series follows the lives of two brothers-in-law, Wayde King and Brett Raymer, and their team at Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) as they create cutting-edge, custom aquariums for clients across the country. Season 2 episode 4, titled Roll With It, is packed with action as the team is challenged to create something unique and quirky.

The episode kicks off with Wayde and Brett receiving a call from the owner of Rockin Rollers, an old-fashioned diner in Los Angeles. The owner wants ATM to build a custom-made aquarium that looks like a 1950s diner jukebox. The request is definitely a challenge for the team, but Wayde and Brett are more than up for it.

As they start the planning process, Wayde and Brett bring in their expert carpenter, Dave, to create the structure for the aquarium. The team decides to include an actual jukebox inside the tank, which will play music and add to the whole experience. They also plan to incorporate custom lighting, colored gravel, and lots of neon signs to create an authentic 1950s diner vibe.

Next up, the gang heads to Chicago to meet with a client who wants an aquarium built around his love for the great outdoors. He wants the tank to feature a cabin, a waterfall, and different types of fish that are native to Illinois. The team decides to create a three-level tank featuring a log cabin at the top, a waterfall in the middle, and a lake at the bottom.

The challenge for the team is to create a waterfall that looks natural and not forced. The team uses fiberglass to create the rocks, and they have to go through several iterations to get the right look. They also create a custom bridge that leads to the cabin, and they decide to put a smoke machine inside the cabin to create the illusion of a real fire.

Back at the shop, the team is also working on a third project for a client who wants a large aquarium that doubles up as a room divider. The client has a collection of exotic fish that he wants to display, including a rare grouper. The team decides to create a 900-gallon tank that has two viewing areas, one from the living room and another from the dining room.

The challenge for this project is the sheer size of the aquarium and maintaining water pressure. The team uses a lot of welding and structural support to ensure that the tank does not collapse. They also create a custom filtration system that can handle the demands of such a large tank.

Towards the end of the episode, the team starts to put the finishing touches on all three projects. They install the jukebox and neon signs in the 1950s diner aquarium and also add the fish. The final look is fabulous and the client is over the moon. Next, they transport the cabin-themed aquarium to Chicago, where they meet with the client and start installing it in his living room. The team struggles with the logistics of fitting such a large aquarium inside a house, but they pull it off in the end. The final tank looks beautiful and perfectly encapsulates the client's love for the outdoors.

Lastly, they reveal the large aquarium that doubles up as a room divider to the client. The tank looks magnificent and the client is impressed with how the team has managed to make it look like a real piece of furniture. The client also gets emotional while watching his rare grouper swim in the tank.

Overall, the Roll With It episode of Tanked is a delightful watch that showcases the incredible talent and creativity of the ATM team. From the 1950s diner jukebox to the cabin-themed aquarium and the large room-divider, the team manages to create something truly unique and memorable for each client.