Ep 8. Legal Vending Machine

In the fifth season of the hit reality television show Tanked, the eighth episode showcases the aquarium experts and brothers-in-law, Brett Raymer and Wayde King, as they take on a unique challenge of creating an awe-inspiring, state-of-the-art aquarium for a legal vending machine company.

The episode titled "Legal Vending Machine" revolves around the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and how the city's legal cannabis market has grown in recent years. Following the recent legalization of cannabis products in Nevada, more and more dispensaries have started to emerge in the city, each vying for the attention of legal weed's ever-expanding customer base.

Enter the world's first cannabis vending machine company, named American Green Inc. Based in Arizona, the company has expanded its operations to Las Vegas, where it operates several luxury cannabis dispensaries. To stand out from the competition, American Green Inc. needs something extraordinary that sets them apart, and that is where Tanked comes in.

To create a unique experience for customers, American Green Inc. has asked Tanked to build a custom aquarium that will house its dispensary's top-quality plants and herbs. The aquarium will be placed behind the dispensary's reception desk and visible through a glass wall, allowing customers to view American Green's products in a beautiful and natural setting.

Brett and Wayde take on the challenge, eager to create something that blends seamlessly with the dispensary's decor while still making a lasting impression on customers. While the tank will indeed have plants, the brothers-in-law also need to ensure that it is suitable for fish. They will have to work around the different strains of marijuana, the varying light requirements, and the humidity to create something that works as a fish and plant habitat, alongside a viewing experience.

To make sure the aquarium meets the standards set by American Green, Brett and Wayde sit down with the dispensary's management team to discuss their vision. After a brainstorming session, they come up with a unique design that takes inspiration from the cannabis leaf, the company's logo.

Back at their shop, the brothers-in-law get to work, building this aquarium from scratch. They focus on creating an extensive filtration system to accommodate the plants and the fish alike. They need to ensure steady temperatures and consistent lighting to keep the plants growing healthily. Brett manages the tropical plant selection with the idea of making it look like an underwater oasis. Wayde ensures that the glass walls of the aquarium are correctly sealer making sure the humidity is at the perfect levels.

With most of the custom aquarium's work complete, Wayde and Brett take the plants and fish to the dispensary. But, they had to ensure that everything went smoothly, right from transportation to placement to avoid any mishaps. They have to navigate the tank through a maze of halls and elevators, and narrow doorways to get it in place behind the reception desk.

The only problem that the team faces is the height restriction from the floor to the ceiling of the place where the aquarium is to be installed. However, they manage to think quickly on their feet and solve the problem by cutting the aquarium's glass wall into four pieces and assembling them back together in the tank's original place.

In the end, Wayde and Brett manage to deliver a stunning, one-of-a-kind custom aquarium that excites everyone at American Green. The aquarium stands nearly seven feet tall and is accented with cannabis branding colors. Its unique design allows the plants and fish to coexist while creating an unforgettable experience for customers.

The Legal Vending Machine episode of Tanked is an excellent display of creativity, thinking on one's feet, attention to detail, and just how far one can get in solving a problem when serious brains come together. The episode is equal parts informative and captivating, taking the viewer through every step of the process while showcasing the finished product's beauty.