Ep 4. Tank This

In Tanked season 7 episode 4, titled "Tank This," the team at Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) is tasked with creating a custom aquarium for Mariah Carey. The Grammy-winning artist wants an expansive tank for her home in Las Vegas that will showcase her love of butterflies.

The team begins by taking a trip to Carey's home to assess the space where the tank will be installed. They quickly realize that the tank needs to be large enough to fit in a corner of the room, but not so big that it takes up too much space. They decide on a 13-foot-long tank that will hold over 200 gallons of water and will be shaped like a butterfly.

The next step is designing the tank. Brett Raymer, the CEO of ATM, envisions using 3D printing technology to create intricate butterfly wings that will be attached to the tank's exterior. He enlists the help of a local designer to create a digital model of the wings and prints them out using a 3D printer.

Meanwhile, Wayde King, the co-founder of ATM, focuses on the tank's interior. He wants to create a serene environment that gives the impression of a butterfly garden. He starts by sourcing exotic plants and flowers that will be added to the tank. These include orchids, bamboo, and plumeria.

Next, the team starts building the tank itself. They decide to use acrylic, a material that is both strong and lightweight. They use a CNC router to create intricate cuts and designs in the acrylic panels that will make up the tank.

The tank also needs a filtration system that can handle the high volume of water and waste produced by the fish and plants. Wayde comes up with a custom filtration system that includes a trickle filter, protein skimmer, and bio-media.

Finally, it is time to install the tank in Carey's home. The team faces a few challenges along the way, including a tight corner space and a tricky installation process. But with the help of a crane and some careful planning, they are able to get the tank up and running.

The finished tank is a stunning masterpiece that perfectly captures Carey's love of butterflies. The 3D-printed wings make an eye-catching addition to the tank's exterior, while the lush plant life gives the impression of a serene butterfly garden. Carey is thrilled with the finished product and thanks the team for their hard work and dedication.

Overall, "Tank This" is a fascinating look at the art and technology behind creating a custom aquarium. The episode showcases the incredible attention to detail that goes into every aspect of the design and installation process, as well as the challenges and triumphs that come with such a complex project. Fans of Tanked and aquarium enthusiasts alike are sure to be impressed by the stunning final result.