Inflow: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats

We're excited introduce our new Facility Spotlight series! Hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber go in-depth on the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut, with a behind-the-scenes conversation featuring Erik Holmberg, Associate Director of Life Support.

Erik shares his hands-on journey from general maintenance to LSS leadership, detailing his role in system upgrades, daily operations, emergency responses, and long-term infrastructure improvements. From retrofitting 30-year-old systems to pioneering backwash recovery and ozone contact upgrades, Erik walks us through what it really takes to keep complex aquatic habitats running smoothly with a small but mighty team.

We've...

In this episode, hosts Joe and Dr. Jeff sit down with Holly and Beau Dempsey, the dynamic duo behind Longhorn Organics, a specialty LSS construction firm transforming how aquariums and aquatic exhibits are built.

🎙️ We dive deep into what sets LSS construction apart from traditional mechanical contracting, the critical role of contractor-owner communication, and how specialty contractors bridge the gap between general construction and highly technical biological filtration systems.

We cover:

In this episode we take a quick look back on the early days of LSS with Terri Johnson, President and CEO at TJP. Terri shares stories from her early days at ENARTEC and then we focus our discussion on how Terri meets the needs of her clients and the LSS innovations that pique her interests. We discuss:
(2:34) - Terri's LSS Origin Story (8:58) - SeaWorld Texas and Removing Ammonia From Systems (13:57) - Background on TJP Engineering (15:25) - Introducing Innovative Ideas (22:28) - Reducing Reliance on Sand Filters and Saving Water & Energy (26:56) - Footprint Needed for LSS vs. Habitat Size (29:58) - Wetlands S...

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:

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: https://inflowlsspodcast.com/contact

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: https://inflowlsspodcast.com/contact

In this episode of INFLOW, we explore the importance of pumps in LSS as we welcome Ben Ashe of MDM Pumps. Together we discuss:

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

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 inflowlsspodcast.com.

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

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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 https://inflowlsspodcast.com/

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

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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:

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

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Joe and Dr. Jeff welcome Paul Cooley, Aquatics Director at PC Aquatics/Ardurra. Together they cover:

(1:42) - Paul's backstory 

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:

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: