by Ryan O’Neil

Swim with the fish in an aquarium built by the creators of “Tanked”. We vacationed at TradeWinds Island Resort in Clearwater, Florida and they have this huge aquarium. We discovered that one of our favorite shows “Tanked”, a tv show about a family that builds massive and impressive fishtanks, had built three fishtanks for the restaurant. Rumfish Grill, located on the Tradewinds property. We could not wait to check it out!

Tanked Aquarium located at Rumfish Grill in Clearwater, Florida

The fishtanks at Rumfish Grill were built and set up in just 90 days. The first of these three tanks was 700 gallon predator tank. This tank is located in the restaurant’s bar and houses the predatory lion fish, which is an evasive species to the gulf of Mexico.

The second tank is another 700 gallon tank known as the juvenile tank which is located on the left wall of the dining room. This tank is home to many different species of fish that are not ready to be in the main tank. It is a small tank that is decorated with an impressive Mangrove tree.

The final tank is a huge 33,500 gallon aquarium and is located on the back wall in the dining room. This tank is home to more than 200 fish representing 31 different species. Two of which are a gigantic green moray eel and a big sting ray.

This tank is decorated with a giant mangrove tree, a mini coral reef and a fake dock. This tank can be viewed from two different areas. The first obviously being in the dining room.

The second viewing area is located at the end of a hallway to the left of the dining room, which you can also view the juvenile tank without having to go into the dining room. This viewing are is known as the “cave”, because the acrylic was formed into a arch-like shape which you can walk into and watch the fish swim either in front of you or look up and see them swimming above you.

Snorkling in a Tanked Aquarium at Rumfish Grill

While building this massive fish tank the people from ”Tanked” thought it would be a cool idea to be able to snorkel in this fish tank and so did Guy Harvey. You can buy a ticket to swim in this fish tank. How cool! SO of course we had to try.

So after signing a few wavers and going on a small tour including the juvenile tank, the water treatment containers, and the Quarantine tank, you will be taken to the top of the fish tank.

You will be disinfected from outside germs with a quick shower, a few safety rules, you will be given a floating vest flippers and snorkel you will be able to climb down a ladder and snorkel in a fish tank. The whole swimming part is about 10 minutes which may seem short but is definitely enough time for this tank.