Inflow: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats

Joe and Dr. Jeff discuss all things related to Zoo and Aquarium Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems. Everything from water treatment equipment and design to operations and construction. We talk to operators, engineers, architects, curators, and anyone and everyone who works on keeping our zoo and aquarium water clean, our animals healthy, our exhibits natural and our systems sustainable.

Ep 14 - Aquatic Animal Health 05/29/2025

Ep 14 - Aquatic Animal Health How can we maintain healthy habitats for our aquatic animals? Veteranarian Dr. Brian Joseph joins us for a in-depth discussion on animal health. Together we cover: (3:42) - Dr. Joseph's Background (8:45) - Collaborating with LSS Operators (10:40) - Salinity For Marine Mammal Health (17:28) - Nitrates and Denitrification (23:40) - System Monitoring (27:33) - Vibration Mitigation (32:20) - Current Projects (36:18) - Advice Have a question you want answered on the show? Click here to leave us a question or comment: /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/36764765

Ep 13 - Sustainable LSS Solutions: Reducing Water, Energy, and Chemicals 05/23/2025

Ep 13 - Sustainable LSS Solutions: Reducing Water, Energy, and Chemicals Our focus this episode is all on sustainability and what that means in the LSS world. We are joined by Mark Fisher, Vice President of Facilities Planning and Sustainability at the Cincinnati Zoo, who shares how focusing on sustainability transformed American's second oldest zoo. Together we discuss: (4:40) - Mark Fisher's Background (8:51) - LSS Staff Duties (13:10) - Bringing Sustainability to the Cincinnati Zoo (23:35) - Staff Buy-In (33:11) - Elephant Trek (42:18) - AZFA & AALSO Have a question you want answered on the show? Click here to leave us a question or comment: /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/36688860

Ep 12 - An International View of LSS 05/19/2025

Ep 12 - An International View of LSS In this episode of INFLOW, we look at LSS from an international perspective as we welcome special guest Mike De Maine. Mike shares stories from projects in South Africa, Darbin, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Together we discuss: (5:03) - Mike's LSS Story (10:14) - Finding International LSS Jobs (11:24) - Transitioning from Academics to LSS Operations (15:46) - De-Nitrification in Dubai (18:54) - SWAD Design (26:14) - Europe/Asia vs. US Operators & Design (34:12) - Glass vs. Sand Media (40:43) - Recap We want to hear from you! Send in your questions or leave a voice message here: /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/36627060

Ep 11 - Pumps: The Beating Heart of LSS 05/08/2025

Ep 11 - Pumps: The Beating Heart of LSS In this episode of INFLOW, we explore the importance of pumps in LSS as we welcome Ben Ashe of MDM Pumps. Together we discuss: (3:00) - Ben's LSS Background (9:45) - Saltwater and Corrosive Chemicals (12:50) - Pump Basics (16:30) - Choosing a Pump for an Application (18:45) - Variable Drive Componments (22:00) - VFD's Issues (25:00) - How VFD Works (28:00) - Pump Curve (31:00) - Head issues (34:00) - Online Tool for Pump Choice (36:00) - Preventative Maintenance (39:00) - Pump Rebuilds (40:00) - Interaction with Customers (43:00) - Saudi Arabia Stay connected with INFLOW at . /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/36489100

Ep 10 - An In-Depth Look at Monterey Bay Aquarium 05/01/2025

Ep 10 - An In-Depth Look at Monterey Bay Aquarium In our first episode since AALSO 2025, we welcome Roger Phillips as our guest for this episode. We discuss Roger's time as Director of Applied Research at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and go in-depth on their facility. We cover: (4:10) - Roger's Start in LSS (13:40) - Treating Water Coming In (21:46) - Unique Relationship with Operators (33:55) - Off-site Holding Facility Stay connected with INFLOW at . /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/36395130

Ep 9 - Making Our Systems Smarter with Controls 04/09/2025

Ep 9 - Making Our Systems Smarter with Controls As we continue our look at the history of LSS, we now turn to the importance of controls and automation. We are joined by Jim Ring, President of RCK Controls, and we discuss Jim’s start at Sea World, discovering standards that still apply today and how we've made our systems smarter over time. We cover: 3:02 - Jim's Start in LSS 11:48 - Pumping Less Water for Better Quality 21:51 - First Time Controlling a System 30:48 - Building a Controls Staff 37:18 - Heat Stress and Energy 40:40 - History of RCK Controls Stay connected with INFLOW at . /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/36061680

Ep 8 - Evolution of LSS Operations 04/01/2025

Ep 8 - Evolution of LSS Operations We continue our look at the history of LSS and in this episode, Joe and Dr. Jeff turn their focus to water quality. They welcome Michael Tucker to the show, who most recently served as Director of Animal Life Support Systems for SeaWorld. Together they cover: (2:36) - Michael's Beginnings in LSS (15:56) - Building a Flexible Team (20:15) - AALSO Certification (24:56) - Designer and Operator Dynamics (33:15) - Advice for LSS Newcomers Stay connected to INFLOW at /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/35958485

Ep 7 - From Operator to Vendor 03/28/2025

Ep 7 - From Operator to Vendor We welcome George Tenhagen on our latest episode of INFLOW, as we start with a discussion on his time at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. We then focus on his career change to the vendor-side of LSS, in his role at Asahi/America. We cover: (3:14) - George's Entry into LSS (8:20) - Busch Gardens Edge of Africa (12:25) - Busch Gardens and SeaWorld (20:47) - Operators and Designers Cooperation (24:19) - Going From Operator to Vendor (31:07) - His Time Leading AALSO Stay connected to INFLOW at /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/35911145

Ep 6 - Inside The Mind Of A Designer 03/25/2025

Ep 6 - Inside The Mind Of A Designer How are life support systems brought to life? We go inside the design drawing process as we speak with Bob Richardson. Bob began his career as a designer at ENARTEC and together we cover: (2:30) - Bob's Back Story (8:20) - How To Get Started With The Design Process (15:00) - Designing With CAD (22:39) - Designers Coordinating With Operators (24:40) - Evolution of Design Stay connected to INFLOW at https://inflowlsspodcast.com/ /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/35859775

Ep 5 - A Deep Dive on AALSO 03/22/2025

Ep 5 - A Deep Dive on AALSO We welcome Dennis Either, Director of Plant Engineering at the Wildlife Conservation Society New York Aquarium and President of AALSO. In this episode, we discuss the differences between maintaining zoos versus aquariums, as well as the pivotal role AALSO plays in the LSS community. We cover: (3:44) - Dennis's LSS Story (10:25) - Transitioning from Zoos to Aquariums (18:29) - Involvement with Design as an Operator (26:24) - AALSO (33:04) - Certifications Stay connected to INFLOW at https://inflowlsspodcast.com/ /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/35817700

Ep 4 - From Hippos to Polar Bears: The Science Behind SeaWorld's Wild Arctic 03/19/2025

Ep 4 - From Hippos to Polar Bears: The Science Behind SeaWorld's Wild Arctic Joe and Dr. Jeff continue their historical look at life support systems as they welcome Joel Johnson, Chief Engineer for TJP Engineering. Joel shares his LSS journey which includes working at ENARTECH and also his involvement with SeaWorld's Wild Arctic exhibit. They cover: (4:53) - Joel's Entry Into LSS (14:24) - Wild Arctic at Sea World (19:41) - Story Behind John Linn's Hiring at ENARTEC (22:49) - SeaWorld Texas and Project Innovations (31:20) - Trickling Filter Concept and Bio Balls Stay connected to INFLOW at https://inflowlsspodcast.com/ /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/35777015

Ep 3 - Bringing Living Seas to Life 03/17/2025

Ep 3 - Bringing Living Seas to Life Joe and Dr. Jeff welcome Paul Cooley, Aquatics Director at PC Aquatics/Ardurra. Together they cover: (1:42) - Paul's backstory (3:30) - Living Seas (18:27) Fractionators and Major LSS Changes (23:25) - The Rule of Thumb Stay connected to INFLOW at https://inflowlsspodcast.com/ /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/35718780

Ep 2 - ENARTEC and Early LSS Development 03/10/2025

Ep 2 - ENARTEC and Early LSS Development We continue our look at the history of aquatic animal life support systems with another episode with John Linn, Advisor to SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. John tells the story of ENARTEC, an early innovator in the LSS space. We cover: (0:22) - Origin of ENARTEC and Key Early Employees (5:30) - Early LSS Engineering (10:30) - SeaWorld San Antonio (14:05) - Process Flow Diagrams (16:36) - Nitrification and Denitification (23:15) - Ozone (28:42) - Leaving ENARTEC for SeaWorld Stay connected with us at /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/35606925

Ep 1 - Trailblazing an Education in LSS 03/10/2025

Ep 1 - Trailblazing an Education in LSS In our premier episode, Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber take a look at the history of aquatic animal life support systems and welcome guest John Linn, Advisor to SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. Together they explore how LSS workers got into the industry in the early days and how the industry has evolved. We cover: (0:52) - Dr. Jeff's Background (3:24) - Joe's LSS Background (5:00) - Rapid Evolution of LSS (8:00) - John Linn's Background (12:30) - Early Years of LSS (16:50) - Creating an LSS Education Don't miss out on our future episodes. Be sure to subscribe and find more information at https://inflowlsspodcast.com/ /episode/index/show/1d228ca9-d439-49e0-8803-37c3ecf844b0/id/35601510

Inflow: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats

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