In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber welcome Trevor Erdmann, Vice President of AALSO and Senior Aquarist at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, for an in-depth conversation on the evolving role of aquarists as life support system (LSS) operators.

Trevor shares how modern aquarists are increasingly responsible for water quality, filtration, system troubleshooting, and operational decision-making, blurring the lines between husbandry and engineering. The discussion explores the importance of education, hands-on training, and professional certification, and how organizations like AALSO are helping shape consistent standards across the industry.

Listeners will learn:

• Why aquarists play a critical role in day-to-day LSS operations

• How education and certification pathways support safer, more reliable systems

• The skills today's aquarists need beyond animal care

• How improved training directly impacts animal welfare and system performance

• What the future holds for LSS workforce development

Whether you're an aquarist, LSS operator, engineer, or aquatic facility leader, this episode offers valuable insight into how training, certification, and cross-disciplinary collaboration are shaping the future of life support systems.

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(00:00) Introduction and Sponsors

(01:06) Role of an Aquarist

(04:12) Trevor's Background

(09:57) Building the Living Planet Aquarium

(15:11) Custom Skid Systems and Water Quality

(24:14) Involvement with AALSO

(27:46) Dual Certification Tracks: LSS and Water Quality

(31:37) Hands-On Training and Equipment Maintenance

(33:53) Student Success and Career Placement

(39:33) Role of Education and Training Committee

(47:14) Advice for Aspiring Professionals

(50:36) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber sit down with Joe Poniatowski of Asahi/America for a deep, experience-driven conversation on life support systems (LSS) design, operations, and reliability.

Joe shares a unique career journey that spans submarine systems, industrial piping, and public aquariums, offering rare insight into what happens when systems fail—and how smart design choices can prevent it. The discussion covers real-world lessons from HDPE and thermoplastic piping, pressure management, redundancy, automation limits, and why human decision-making remains critical in high-stakes aquatic environments.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What submarines and aquariums have in common when it comes to life support reliability

• How piping materials and system layout impact long-term LSS performance

• Why automation alone isn't enough to prevent failures

• Common design and operational mistakes—and how to avoid them

• How experience in operations shapes better engineering and material selection

Whether you're an LSS operator, engineer, designer, or facility manager, this episode delivers practical, hard-earned insights into building systems that protect animals, people, and facilities when failure is not an option.

In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber are joined by Joe Choromanski, President of Serviette, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it takes to design, operate, and scale aquarium life support systems (LSS) across multiple facilities.

Drawing on decades of experience in public aquariums, Joe shares lessons learned from overseeing large, complex aquatic systems, comparing artificial and natural seawater, and adapting LSS designs to different climates, budgets, and operational realities. The discussion explores how early design decisions affect long-term reliability, animal welfare, and operating costs.

Listeners will learn:

• Key principles for designing LSS at scale across multiple aquariums

• Operational differences between artificial and natural seawater systems

• How to balance innovation, standardization, and site-specific needs

• Common challenges in multi-facility aquarium operations—and how to avoid them

• Why experience-driven design leads to more resilient aquatic systems

Whether you're an LSS engineer, aquarium operator, facility leader, or designer, this episode delivers practical insights into building durable, scalable, and biologically sound life support systems that stand the test of time.

In this episode of the INFLOW podcast, we explore how modern Life Support Systems (LSS) go far beyond filtration and plumbing. Joined by Gal Judah, Area Sales Manager at Georg Fischer, the conversation dives into the evolving role of LSS in zoos, aquariums, and aquatic facilities—where lighting, air quality, controls, and integrated infrastructure are just as critical as water.

Gal shares his unique path into the LSS world through the skilled trades, offering insight into how electrical systems, advanced lighting technologies, piping solutions, and automation all intersect to support animal health, welfare, and operational reliability. The episode highlights how collaboration between operators, engineers, vendors, and designers is reshaping how facilities are built, upgraded, and maintained.

Listeners will gain perspective on:

• How lighting and air systems directly impact aquatic and terrestrial habitats

• The growing technical skill set required of today's LSS professionals

• Why integrated system design is essential for long-term sustainability

• The role of manufacturers and vendors in advancing LSS innovation

Whether you work in aquatic life support, zoo and aquarium operations, engineering, or facility management, this episode offers valuable insights into where the industry is headed and how rethinking LSS can lead to healthier animals and smarter facilities.

🎧 Subscribe to INFLOW on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for in-depth conversations on life support systems, aquatic engineering, and the professionals behind the world's most complex animal habitats.

Stay connected 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 Mike Bajek, Senior Director of Life Support Systems at the Singapore Oceanarium, to explore what it takes to design, manage, and scale one of the largest and most advanced aquarium facilities in the world.

Mike shares his journey from Pittsburgh to Singapore and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the engineering, innovation, and leadership required to support massive aquatic habitats housing diverse marine life. The conversation dives into the complexity of high-volume filtration systems, redundancy planning, water quality control, and the intersection of sustainability and technology in modern oceanariums.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What it takes to operate multi-million-gallon LSS systems at scale

• How the Singapore Oceanarium approaches water quality, reliability, and efficiency

• The role of design thinking and collaboration in large-scale aquarium projects

• Why leadership and long-term planning are critical in complex aquatic environments

• Emerging trends shaping the future of aquarium engineering and life support systems

Whether you're an LSS operator, engineer, designer, or aquatic facilities professional, this episode delivers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of running life support systems on a global scale.

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 talk with Mark Peacock, founder of Clean Search, to explore the unique world of hiring, recruitment, and talent development within the aquatic life support systems (LSS) industry.

Mark breaks down what makes LSS roles so specialized, why organizations struggle to find qualified candidates, and how the right recruitment strategy can transform zoos, aquariums, and aquatic facilities. From essential technical skills to leadership qualities and cultural fit, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at building strong, reliable teams in a highly technical field.

We also cover:

• What sets LSS and aquatic engineering roles apart from other technical positions

• How zoos and aquariums can attract and retain top-tier LSS talent

• The growing need for operator-to-engineer pathways in aquatic facilities

• Trends shaping the future of aquatic facility staffing and workforce development

Whether you're an LSS professional, a hiring manager, or part of a zoo or aquarium operations team, this conversation provides practical insights into finding the right fit in one of the most specialized corners of the industry.

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

In this Facility Spotlight episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber talk with Wes Schmidt, Senior Life Support Systems Technician at the Minnesota Zoo. Wes takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the most diverse and technically challenging facilities in the Midwest, where maintaining healthy aquatic environments means balancing complex life support systems (LSS), mechanical infrastructure, and Minnesota's extreme seasonal conditions.

The conversation dives into:

• How the Minnesota Zoo manages 2 million+ gallons of water across multiple exhibits

• The engineering behind filtration, heating, and water circulation systems

• Unique challenges of operating marine and freshwater systems in cold climates

• The collaboration between animal care teams, engineers, and LSS operators

• Strategies for energy efficiency, reliability, and preventive maintenance

Whether you're an LSS professional, engineer, or zoo operations enthusiast, this episode offers rare insight into the innovation, teamwork, and precision that keep aquatic life thriving year-round at the Minnesota Zoo.

In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber sit down with John Christiansen, Senior Project Architect at EHDD Architecture, to explore how thoughtful design and engineering come together to create world-class aquariums and aquatic facilities.

With decades of experience designing some of the most recognized and sustainable public aquariums, zoos, and research centers, John shares insights into how architecture, life support systems (LSS), and animal welfare are interconnected. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration between architects, engineers, and operators, as well as the evolving expectations around sustainability, visitor engagement, and water system design.

Listeners will learn:

• How EHDD approaches aquarium design and master planning

• The relationship between architectural vision and LSS functionality

• Strategies for designing energy-efficient, sustainable aquatic environments

• What makes a facility both beautiful and biologically sound

From conceptual design to operational reality, this discussion reveals how architecture can elevate the science of life support and create spaces that inspire both visitors and professionals alike.

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