In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber welcome Nick Kaiser, Director of Facilities at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. With over two decades of experience—from operator to engineer to director—Nick shares his unique perspective on bridging life support operations, engineering design, and sustainability at one of the nation’s most iconic aquariums.

The conversation dives into Shedd’s ongoing 95-year-old infrastructure renovation, exploring the challenges of modernizing systems without interrupting animal care or guest experiences. Nick discusses how real-time data, automation, and collaboration between engineers and operators are shaping the future of aquatic facility management and energy efficiency.

Listeners will discover:

• How Shedd balances innovation with historic architecture

• The role of data and analytics in optimizing LSS performance

• Strategies for energy conservation, redundancy, and reliability

• How teamwork between operators and engineers drives progress

From hands-on valve work to leading large-scale modernization, Nick’s story is a testament to the evolution of aquatic life support as both a science and an art.

Stay connected with us at: https://inflowlsspodcast.com

In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber sit down with Sam Courtland, founder of Integrated Aqua Systems (IAS), to explore his journey from aquaculture operations to engineering advanced aquatic systems used in research, zoos, and public aquariums.

Sam shares how his early experiences working on shrimp farms and recirculating aquaculture systems shaped his vision for modular design, water management, and innovation in the aquatic life support industry. The conversation dives into how IAS evolved to serve both scientific and zoological applications, bridging the gap between aquaculture efficiency and high-end exhibit design.

Together we cover:

• How aquaculture principles influenced modern LSS engineering

• The process of designing and manufacturing modular filtration systems

• Insights into sustainability, scaling, and system integration

• Why continual reinvention and collaboration drive the future of aquatic system design

From humble beginnings to a leading role in the industry, this episode highlights how passion, problem-solving, and purpose can redefine what’s possible in aquatic life support and system engineering.

Stay connected with INFLOW at: https://inflowlsspodcast.com/

In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber are joined by Rob Turnbull, ozone specialist with Telchine Energy Technologies, to explore the critical role of ozone in aquatic life support systems (LSS).

Rob breaks down how ozone works as a powerful disinfectant, its impact on water clarity and pathogen control, and why it’s essential for maintaining healthy environments in aquariums, zoos, and aquaculture systems. The conversation covers system design, integration with protein skimmers and pumps, and the engineering challenges of scaling ozone safely and effectively.

Listeners will learn:

• The science of ozone generation and application in water treatment

• Key differences between ozone and other disinfection methods

• How ozone improves animal health, sustainability, and water quality

• Design considerations for integrating ozone into life support systems

Whether you’re an LSS operator, engineer, or aquatic professional, this deep dive into ozone will give you practical insights into designing and maintaining clean, efficient, and reliable aquatic habitats.