In this episode of Inflow, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber welcome Tori Sipos, the Facilities & Maintenance Manager at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Tori shares her journey through the industry, moving from hands-on technician roles at the Georgia Aquarium to leading the broader facilities team at a premier zoo and garden.

We explore the transition from "turning wrenches" on life support systems to managing the high-level logistics of an entire facility's infrastructure. Tori provides a unique look at the day-to-day responsibilities of a manager, from budgeting and administrative planning to ensuring the mechanical integrity of systems that support both animals and guests.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• The Path to Management: Tori's progression from an entry-level technician at the Georgia Aquarium to a leadership role at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

• Life at the Zoo: The unique challenges of overseeing facilities and maintenance in a zoo environment and the importance of a dedicated, specialized team.

• The Evolution of the Role: Shifting focus from daily LSS maintenance to long-term project planning, facility coordination, and departmental leadership.

• Building a Team Culture: The importance of mentorship, open communication, and fostering a "team-first" mentality in a high-stakes environment.

• Advice for Aspiring Operators: Why "putting in the work" and being a reliable team player are the best ways to advance in the aquatic life support and facilities world.

Whether you are a technician looking to move into management or simply fascinated by the infrastructure required to run a world-class zoo and aquarium, Tori Sipos offers invaluable insights into the "human" side of facilities engineering.

(2:38) - Tori's Career Path

(4:02) - Dive Ops and Exhibit Work

(6:49) - Penguin System Breakdown

(8:25) - Otter System and Maintenance

(10:40) - Water Quality Challenges

(11:34) - Grizzly Pool and Glass Media

(16:09) - Sea Lion System Overview

(17:16) - RMF Perlite Filter Explained

(22:36) - Maintenance and Cost Tradeoffs

(25:25) - Sea Lion Clarity Wins

(28:29) - Saltwater Wetlands Design

(33:38) - After Hours Monitoring

(41:17) - Advice and Wrap Up

Learn more about our sponsors:

• Dryden Aqua

• Integrated Aqua Systems

• Visit them at inflowlsspodcast.com/sponsors.

In this episode of Inflow, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber sit down with Veronica Thompson, Manager of Water Quality and Life Support at the Houston Zoo. Veronica takes us through her fascinating career "arc," from her beginnings as a biologist studying algae under a microscope to managing some of the most sophisticated aquatic systems in the country.

We dive deep into the operational realities of transitioning from world-class aquariums like Mystic Aquarium and The Florida Aquarium to the unique, multi-taxa challenges of a major zoo. Veronica shares how she tackled the commissioning of the Houston Zoo's "Ferrari" of life support systems—the Galapagos expansion—while animals were already in the habitat.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• The Learning Curve: How a background in phycology and marine sciences translates to wiring pumps and diagnosing complex hydraulic failures.

• Regional Challenges: From utilizing "heat tape" to survive Connecticut winters to barging in 300,000 gallons of pristine seawater from the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.

• Zoo vs. Aquarium LSS: Managing "moats," animal runoff, and the unique stormwater management requirements of a 100-year-old facility.

• The "Sand-Filter-Less" System: A technical breakdown of using hex drum filters and Defender (perlite) filters to maintain 35+ feet of visibility in a sea lion habitat.

• The Ozone "Bug" Turned Feature: How an unintended air entrainment issue led to a revolutionary way to keep perlite filters clean using ozonated water.

• Advice for the Next Generation: Why curiosity, a lack of ego, and listening to animal keepers are the most important tools in an LSS operator's belt.

Whether you are interested in the granular details of perlite filtration or the high-level strategy of managing discharge permits and stormwater watersheds, this episode offers a masterclass in adaptive aquatic engineering.

(1:52) - From Marine Studies to LSS

(4:34) - Nature vs Closed Systems

(6:45) - Texas State Aquarium

(8:01) - Tackling Algae Problems

(9:50) - Mystic Aquarium Winter Lessons

(14:11) - Florida Aquarium and Coral Work

(15:56) - Barging Seawater Explained

(18:40) - Coral Systems and Multi Species

(21:40) - Why Houston Zoo Needed Her

(24:44) - Finishing the Handover

(27:31) - Moats and Legacy Filtration

(31:12) - Outdoor Debris Challenges

(33:37) - Stormwater and Wetlands

(38:50) - Sea Lion LSS Breakdown

(40:05) - Defender Perlite Filters

(44:35) - Ozone Backflush Breakthrough

(48:16) - Advice for New LSS Techs

Learn more about our sponsors:

• Asahi/America

• Aquatic Equipment and Design (AED) Visit them at inflowlsspodcast.com/sponsors.

Connect with Inflow:

• Website: inflowlsspodcast.com

When you move from a small "jewel tank" to a multimillion-gallon habitat, the rules of life support change. In this episode of Inflow, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber dive into the world of megascale aquatic systems with industry veteran Steve Kaiser.

Steve shares his extensive experience managing some of the largest aquarium systems in the world. The conversation explores the unique physics of massive water volumes, where the luxury of "dilution as a solution" meets the intense challenge of maintaining crystal-clear turbidity over long viewing distances.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Challenges of Scale: How managing massive systems like those at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi differs from standard aquarium operations.

• Water Quality & Clarity: Navigating the "path length" problem and how to keep water clear enough for guests to see through 50+ feet of depth.

• The Operator's Instinct: Why "spinning a wrench" and hands-on troubleshooting are still the most important skills, even in highly automated, high-tech facilities.

• Learning the Trade: Steve's perspective on why an LSS degree is a start, but true expertise is only built by operating systems on a daily basis.

• Troubleshooting Megasystems: Using voltmeters, backwashing filters, and knowing your system inside and out to prevent small issues from becoming multimillion-gallon problems.

About Our Guest: Steve Kaiser is a renowned expert in the life support industry, recognized for his hands-on leadership and technical mastery in operating and scaling some of the most complex aquatic environments globally.

Connect with Inflow:

• Website: inflowlsspodcast.com

• Sponsors: This episode is proudly sponsored by Cloward H2O and MAT LSS.

• Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other LSS professionals find the show!

Keywords: Life Support Systems, LSS, Steve Kaiser, Cloward H2O, MAT LSS, Large Scale Aquariums, Water Quality, Turbidity, Aquatic Engineering, Zoo Operations, AALSO, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Multimillion Gallon Tanks.