Ep 10. Shark Buffet

In Tanked season 7 episode 10, titled "Shark Buffet", the team at Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) takes on a unique and challenging project. The episode begins with Brett Raymer and Wayde King, the co-owners of ATM, meeting with a family who owns a restaurant called "Shark's Bite" in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The family wants to create a custom aquarium in their restaurant that will serve as a signature attraction and also show their passion for marine preservation.

The restaurant owners have a specific idea in mind for their aquarium - they want it to feature various species of sharks and a living coral reef that will create a vibrant and mesmerizing underwater landscape. They also want the aquarium to be large enough for guests to have a close-up experience with the sharks without any physical barriers. Brett and Wayde take on the challenge enthusiastically and begin planning the design of the aquarium.

The project is not without its challenges, however. The team needs to make sure that the aquarium's environment is suitable for both the sharks and the coral reef. They also need to ensure that the maintenance of the aquarium is manageable for the restaurant's staff. ATM's team of designers and engineers work on designing a filtration system that will keep the aquarium clean and healthy, and also develop a feeding system that will allow the sharks to be fed conveniently without disturbing the restaurant's diners. The team determines that an acrylic aquarium would be the best fit for this project, given the potential weight of the water and the fact that the aquarium needs to be physically accessible to the restaurant's maintenance staff.

Once the design is finalized, the team heads to Florida to begin the installation process. They face a few hurdles during transport, as the delivery of the aquarium is delayed and the team needs to figure out a way to keep the coral healthy during transport. However, they are able to get the aquarium up and running smoothly.

In the final stages of the installation, the team puts in the finishing touches, including adding live sand and live rock to the aquarium, as well as custom-built hides for the sharks. The aquarium is then filled with water, and the team tests the filtration system to ensure that it is working properly. Once everything is approved, the team starts to add the sharks and other marine animals to the aquarium, making sure that every fish has enough space and resources to survive.

Once the aquarium is fully stocked, it is time for the big reveal. The restaurant owners are in awe of the design and are thrilled to have their new signature attraction in place. They are even more excited when their guests' reactions are overwhelmingly positive. The tank attracts more customers and helps the restaurant stand out in a competitive market.

Overall, "Shark Buffet" is an episode that showcases the incredible talent of the ATM team, particularly in their ability to design and install aquariums that are both beautiful and functional. The episode also highlights the importance of marine preservation and shows how aquariums can help educate the public about the importance of taking care of our oceans.