Ep 8. Bellagio Makeover

In the eighth episode of season 11 of the hit reality TV series Tanked, viewers are taken on a journey to the Bellagio hotel and casino in Las Vegas. The team at Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) are tasked with giving the iconic hotel's aquarium a much-needed makeover, and the stakes are high: with thousands of visitors passing through the Bellagio every day, the team has to make sure that the new aquarium is both visually stunning and able to withstand the wear and tear of constant attention.

Led by Wayde King and Brett Raymer, the team at ATM are well-known for their creative and ambitious aquarium designs, and the Bellagio project is no exception. With the help of the hotel's own team of experts, they set out to create a one-of-a-kind aquarium that will dazzle visitors with its beauty and complexity.

The first step in the process is to assess the existing aquarium, which is in need of serious repair. The team discovers that the tank is leaking, and that they will need to completely empty it before they can get to work. This is no small feat, as the aquarium contains over 20,000 gallons of water and a variety of exotic fish species. With the help of the Bellagio team, the ATM crew carefully transport the fish to a temporary holding tank, where they will be kept safe while the main tank is being refitted.

Once the tank is empty, the team sets to work creating a new design for the aquarium. They want to make sure that the new tank is not only beautiful, but also provides a comfortable and healthy environment for the fish. To achieve this, they plan a series of concrete ledges and hideaways that will provide shelter and a place for the fish to rest. They also incorporate a state-of-the-art filtration system that will keep the water clean and well-oxygenated, crucial for the fish's health.

With the design finalized, the team sets to work creating the new tank. They pour over 20 tons of concrete to create the ledges and other features, carefully sculpting each one by hand. The process is painstaking and requires a lot of precision, as the concrete must be shaped and cured in just the right way in order to be strong enough to support the weight of the water and the fish.

Once the concrete has cured, the team begins to add the finishing touches to the tank, including the lighting and the custom-made acrylic panels that will form the walls of the tank. These panels are carefully cut and shaped to fit the unique contours of the tank, and then carefully installed by hand.

Finally, it's time to add the fish. The team carefully transfers the exotic species back into the newly-refitted tank, making sure that each one is well-adjusted and happy in its new home. The finished aquarium is truly spectacular, with a variety of colors and textures that are mesmerizing to watch. Visitors to the Bellagio will be dazzled by the beauty and complexity of the new aquarium, which is sure to become a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Las Vegas.