Ep 32 - Designing at Scale: Lessons from Multi-Facility Aquarium Operations with Joe Choromanski

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.