Tanked

Tanked, an American reality television series, aired on Animal Planet from 2011 to 2018. The show chronicles the operations and daily activities of one unique business based in Las Vegas - Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM). ATM is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of customized aquariums.

The show is hosted by business partners, best friends, and constant rivals, Wayde King and Brett Raymer. King is the CEO of ATM and Raymer, King's brother-in-law, is the COO. With contrasting personalities, these two leads depict an amusing balance of professionalism and humor. They manage to create a reality-show environment that is not just educational, but also entertaining.

Tanked follows the duo and their team as they meet various challenges head-on to create some of the most unbelievable and awe-inspiring aquariums for a demanding clientele. By using their combined years of experience, architectural design skills, and an inherent love for fish, they conceptualize and construct exceptional tanks. Each episode narrates the journey of one such project from its inception to installation, showcasing a wide array of beautiful and exotic marine life.

The fabrication and installation of these intricate aquatic systems can sometimes involve complex engineering tasks such as adjusting for weight loads, ensuring proper filtration, creating convincing artificial reefs, and more. Tanked offers viewers a detailed and fun look at the complete process. Moreover, it presents insights into aquatic life, environmental concerns, and marine biology. There is also a comprehensive underlying message on the importance of maintaining the sanctity of aquatic ecosystems.

Contributing to entertainment and drama of the series are various skilled professionals working at ATM; there's Robert "Robbie Redneck" Christlieb, a marine technician, and Agnes Wilczynski, the estimator who often interacts with the clients determining the requirements of tank designs. Together they add to the mix of personalities that completes the Tanked team.

However, the magic of the show lies in its client list. ATM doesn't just serve ordinary businesses and personal households, but also a wide variety of high-end clients, including celebrities and high-profile establishments. This makes each tank a unique piece of art that is tied to the persona or brand of the tank owner. The clients are often interviewed throughout the process and their excitement mirrors that of viewers at home.

The show features a star-studded cast of guest appearances such as Tracy Morgan, Marshawn Lynch, Dwight Howard, and Shaquille O’Neal among others. The unusual requests and demands of the celebrity clientele can push creative boundaries, offering fresh and exciting challenges in each episode that require the team to consistently bring their 'A' game.

From tanks shaped like pyramids, automobiles, and wine bottles, to enormous aquariums that can hold up to a staggering one million gallons of water, the array of tanks conceptualized and produced by ATM are a sight to behold. At times, the tanks integrate into the surroundings so well that they provide the illusion of being a part of the room's initial design. This harmony between functionality and aesthetics becomes a signature of their talent seen throughout the series.

Despite unexpected challenges, shifting deadlines, and vigorous physical labor, the team pulls together at every instance, reflecting their commitment to the job and showcasing their passion for aquatic life. The varied and funny dynamics between the crew members, the construction of breathtaking tanks, and most importantly, the exhilaration when the final product is revealed, make Tanked a truly addictive watch.

What sets Tanked apart from other reality shows is its clever combination of creativity, business, family drama, and education. While on surface, it provides entertaining TV-viewing, on a deeper level it offers a fun route to understanding marine life and the intricacies of maintaining an aquarium. It’s not just about building an aquarium, but about bringing to life a whole new world under water.

In conclusion, Tanked brilliantly encapsulates the hard work, dedication, and imagination that go behind creating mind-blowing aquatic masterpieces. With an interesting mix of humor, drama, science, design, and engineering, Tanked is an entertaining adventure into the world of custom aquarium building and the diverse aquatic life.