The glittering world of custom aquariums came crashing down when Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) shut its doors permanently, leaving fans of Animal Planet’s hit show “Tanked” wondering what went wrong. The Las Vegas-based company that once built million-dollar aquariums for celebrities, casinos, and theme parks collapsed under the weight of financial mismanagement, personal conflicts, and an industry in flux.
The Rise and Fall of a Reality TV Empire
From Workshop to Worldwide Fame
Founded in 1997, Acrylic Tank Manufacturing started as a modest Las Vegas operation. Wayde King and Brett Raymer transformed the business into an aquarium empire after Animal Planet launched “Tanked” in August 2011. The show ran for 15 seasons, showcasing elaborate tank builds for high-profile clients including Shaquille O’Neal, Tracy Morgan, and Kiss.
The company handled over 200 projects annually, with tanks ranging from 50 gallons to 1 million gallons in size. Each episode brought new challenges—a piano-shaped aquarium here, a motorcycle tank there—pushing the boundaries of acrylic engineering and creative design.
The Beginning of the End
Everything unraveled in December 2018 when Animal Planet canceled “Tanked” after its 15-season run. Network executives claimed the series “came to a natural end,” but the timing coincided suspiciously with escalating personal drama behind the scenes.
Just days before the cancellation announcement, Heather King (Wayde’s wife and Brett’s sister) was arrested for domestic violence. She allegedly slapped and kicked Wayde during a heated argument. On March 8, 2019, Heather filed for divorce after 21 years of marriage, shattering the family dynamic that held the business together.
Why Did Acrylic Tank Manufacturing Close?
Financial Hemorrhaging and Rising Costs
The company’s financial foundation cracked under relentless pressure from rising production costs and overhead expenses. Raw materials, labor, rent, and utilities all skyrocketed simultaneously, eating into profit margins like piranhas in a feeding frenzy.
Without the television revenue that had subsidized operations for over a decade, ATM couldn’t sustain its business model. The show’s cancellation meant losing both promotional value and financial support, leaving the company exposed to harsh market realities.
| Financial Pressure Point | Impact on Business |
|---|---|
| Raw Material Costs | Continuous price increases reduced profitability |
| Labor Expenses | Skilled workers demanded higher wages |
| Facility Overhead | Rent and utilities consumed remaining margins |
| Loss of TV Revenue | Eliminated key income stream after 2018 |
| Debt Mismanagement | Poor financial planning accelerated closure |
Broken Partnerships and Internal Conflict
The professional relationship between Wayde King and Brett Raymer deteriorated after the show ended. These childhood friends and business partners—who had built an empire together—experienced a falling out that fractured the company’s leadership.
Add the divorce between Wayde and Heather King, and you have a family business torn apart at its seams. With Heather being Brett’s sister, the domestic violence incident and subsequent divorce created impossible working conditions for all parties involved.
Market Competition and Changing Consumer Demands
Foreign manufacturers, particularly from China, flooded the market with cheaper alternatives. These competitors offered lower production costs and faster turnaround times, making it nearly impossible for a Las Vegas-based company with high overhead to compete.
Consumer preferences shifted dramatically toward smaller nano tanks and compact designs suited for urban living and space constraints. The demand for massive, celebrity-style aquariums—ATM’s specialty—evaporated as homeowners prioritized practical, affordable options.
Environmental Regulations and Toxic Concerns
Acrylic production involves toxic chemicals that posed environmental hazards, leading to stricter regulations and restrictions. The disposal of acrylic waste raised red flags with environmental agencies, forcing companies to invest heavily in compliance measures.
These environmental concerns didn’t just increase costs—they damaged the industry’s reputation as consumers became more eco-conscious and sought sustainable alternatives.
Technological Disruption
The development of alternative materials like improved glass and fiberglass offered better durability, clarity, and cost-effectiveness. These innovations shifted market demand away from acrylic, the material ATM had built its entire business around.
As technology advanced, acrylic tanks became yesterday’s news—a relic of an era when bigger and flashier trumped practical and sustainable.
The Aftermath: Where Are They Now?
Wayde King remains involved in the custom aquarium industry, designing and building unique tanks for clients worldwide. He’s maintained a relatively low profile since the company’s closure, focusing on smaller-scale projects rather than the elaborate installations that made him famous.
Brett Raymer had expressed hopes of starting a YouTube show called “Lifestyles of the Fish and Famous” to promote the business after “Tanked” ended. However, the company’s eventual closure and his fallout with Wayde derailed those plans.
Acrylic Tank Manufacturing officially ceased operations, with the company no longer taking new orders as of 2018. The Las Vegas facility that once buzzed with creative energy and construction activity now stands as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.
Lessons from the Deep End
The collapse of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing serves as a cautionary tale about over-reliance on media exposure and the dangers of mixing family dynamics with business operations. The company failed to adapt to changing market conditions, innovate beyond its signature product, or prepare for life after reality TV fame.
Hundreds of employees lost their jobs, and local businesses that relied on ATM’s manufacturing activity struggled to survive. The ripple effects extended throughout the Las Vegas economy, proving that when a major employer goes under, the damage spreads far beyond its walls.
Key Takeaways
- “Tanked” was canceled in December 2018 after 15 seasons, eliminating crucial revenue and promotional support for Acrylic Tank Manufacturing
- Personal conflicts—including domestic violence charges, divorce, and a fallout between co-founders—destroyed the family business dynamic
- Financial pressures from rising production costs, overhead expenses, and debt mismanagement made operations unsustainable without TV revenue
- Foreign competition from Chinese manufacturers and changing consumer preferences toward smaller tanks eliminated demand for ATM’s specialty products
- Environmental regulations and the development of superior alternative materials made acrylic tanks obsolete in an increasingly eco-conscious market
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did Acrylic Tank Manufacturing officially close?
Acrylic Tank Manufacturing ceased operations in 2018 following the cancellation of “Tanked” in December of that year. The company stopped taking new orders and eventually shut down permanently due to financial challenges and the loss of television revenue that had sustained the business for over a decade.
What happened between Wayde King and Brett Raymer?
Wayde King and Brett Raymer reportedly had a professional falling out after “Tanked” was canceled. The childhood friends and business partners who co-founded Acrylic Tank Manufacturing experienced a deterioration in their relationship, though specific details of their dispute have not been publicly disclosed. This rift, combined with Wayde’s divorce from Brett’s sister Heather, made continuing the partnership impossible.
Did the domestic violence incident cause the show’s cancellation?
Animal Planet denied that the domestic violence incident directly caused “Tanked’s” cancellation. Network sources claimed the decision was made months earlier in December 2018, though the announcement came just nine days after Heather King’s arrest in March 2019. The suspicious timing led many to question the official narrative, but production sources maintained the cancellation was unrelated to the personal drama.
Is Wayde King still building aquariums?
Yes, Wayde King remains active in the custom aquarium industry, designing and building unique tanks for clients around the world. He has kept a relatively low profile since Acrylic Tank Manufacturing closed, focusing on smaller-scale projects rather than the million-dollar installations featured on “Tanked.” King continues to leverage his expertise and reputation built over 15 seasons of television.
How did competition from China affect ATM?
Chinese manufacturers severely undercut Acrylic Tank Manufacturing by offering lower production costs and faster delivery times. Foreign competitors didn’t face the same overhead expenses, labor costs, or environmental regulations that burdened Las Vegas-based operations. This made it nearly impossible for ATM to compete on price while maintaining quality, especially after losing the marketing advantage of their television show.
Why did consumer demand for large aquariums decline?
The market shifted toward smaller nano tanks as more people moved to urban environments with space constraints. Modern consumers prioritized affordability, practicality, and eco-friendliness over the massive, celebrity-style installations that were ATM’s specialty. Additionally, maintenance costs and environmental concerns about keeping exotic fish in captivity reduced overall interest in elaborate aquarium projects.
What alternative materials replaced acrylic tanks?
Improved glass and fiberglass emerged as superior alternatives to acrylic, offering better durability, optical clarity, and cost-effectiveness. These materials also raised fewer environmental concerns since they didn’t require the same toxic chemicals used in acrylic production. Technological advancements made these alternatives more accessible and affordable, accelerating the decline of the acrylic tank industry.
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