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.

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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.

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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.

In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber talk with Rob Cloward and Allen Clawson of Cloward H2O, one of the world’s leading aquatic engineering firms. From natural hot springs and wave-generating surf parks to large-scale aquariums and zoos, Cloward H2O has been at the forefront of designing innovative water systems that blend recreation, sustainability, and animal care.

Rob and Allen share insights into:

• The evolution of aquatic engineering across pools, fountains, waterparks, and life support systems

• Behind-the-scenes of projects like Deep Dive Dubai and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• The balance between water quality, guest experience, and animal health

• The challenges of scaling designs for attractions visited by millions worldwide

In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber sit down with Amy Stone, an experienced aquatic systems designer whose career bridges aquaculture, aquaponics, and life support system (LSS) design. Amy shares her journey from raising fish to leading Aquatic Equipment & Design.

The conversation also pays tribute to the late Stewart McDaniel, honoring his impact and legacy in the aquatic life support community. Amy discusses what she learned from Stewart, how those lessons continue to shape her work, and why mentorship is critical for the next generation of professionals.

Listeners will gain insights into:

• The design and engineering of aquatic filtration and skid systems

• The crossover between aquaculture, aquaponics, and zoological LSS

• Sustainability practices and efficiency in system design

• The value of mentorship and community in advancing the field

In this INFLOW Facility Spotlight, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber talk with Keith Hacke, Director of Facilities at the Philadelphia Zoo. From building Long Beach and Georgia Aquarium to managing 170+ years of infrastructure at America’s oldest zoo, Keith shares insights on life support system design, sustainability, and the challenges of modernizing historic facilities while supporting animal care.

(2:58) - Keith's LSS Backstory

(7:25) - Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

(15:05) - Georgia Aquarium and Facilities Management

(22:22) - UV Lamps

(24:54) - HEPA Filtration

(29:58) - Philadelphia Zoo and Facilities Management

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In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber sit down with Austin Calpin, Curator of Life Support and Water Quality at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Austin shares his unique journey from high school aquarium science programs to leading one of the newest, most advanced facilities in the U.S.

We explore:

• Austin’s career path through major aquariums and construction projects

• Behind-the-scenes innovations in life support system (LSS) design

• The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium’s cutting-edge use of drum filters, ozone strategies, and automation

• How sustainability and efficiency are reshaping aquatic habitats

• Preparing for the future of LSS education and certification

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In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal and Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber welcome special guest Chris Warner of Aquatic Environmental Systems. Chris shares his remarkable story—from growing up across continents to becoming a commercial diver and eventually a pioneer in aquarium life support systems.

Discover how a diving accident unexpectedly launched Chris into the world of public aquariums, leading him to build and manage Australia’s earliest systems using little more than ingenuity and necessity. Chris recounts the gritty early days of running a small aquarium in Sydney Harbor—battling raw sewage inflows, engineering semi-closed systems with sand spears, and building some of the first protein skimmers and foam fractionators in the industry.

This episode dives deep into Chris’s approach to filtration design, ozone use, and the importance of bubble size, plus how his experience helped shape systems at institutions like Sea World Australia, Ocean Park Hong Kong, and Singapore’s S.E.A. Aquarium. It's a fascinating conversation on problem-solving, learning from nature, and the evolution of aquatic systems through practical innovation.

Don't miss this inspiring and technical conversation with one of the field’s most experienced voices.

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