Float Tank Sanitation and Health Standards. What are the main concerns and what are we doing about it?

"So, how is the water cleaned?" is probably one of our most common questions. We wanted to take a second to clarify a still, mystified idea about the float tanks: Their hygiene, and how it is maintained. Starting with the best way I can think of:

What are the Different Types of Floatation/ Sensory Deprivation Devices?

We love to let people in on the lore that - at The Float Place in Patchogue, NY - we have custom rooms. We've experimented in other location with pods but ultimately were able to land on a handful of custom-built float rooms. Think of a 4x8x10ft tall room, covered with pool liner on the walls and floor, filled with 11-inches of salty water that feeds to our filtering system managed in the changing area.

Here is a list of what else is available at other float centers:

(Credit: Types of Sensory Deprivation Tanks: What's the Difference?)

Pods

Float pods are typically 7 feet in length and 4 feet in width. Their design includes a domed lid and a back opening that facilitates air circulation. The pod can be left slightly open if the user tends to run warm to maintain the ideal water temperature of about 94 degrees Fahrenheit, which promotes optimal comfort.

Cabin

Cabin-style tanks present a voluminous area compared to conventional float pods, designed to offer an immersive ambiance for the users. Upon entering one of these tanks, individuals can move around effortlessly while standing upright. Certain cabin-style tanks also have light and audio features, allowing users to personalize their floating experience.

Pool or Room

(Ayyee) Unlike conventional float tanks, open float rooms offer an exceptional floating experience with their unique design. These rooms do not have an enclosed space that requires a hatch to secure the area. Due to this unconfined design, the room’s architecture regulates the sound and light, resulting in possible variations. This type of room design is especially beneficial for people with disabilities or severe claustrophobia, enabling them to experience the serenity of floating without feeling trapped in an enclosed space.

Home Floatation Systems

Some individuals choose to create their own floatation experience at home by setting up personal floatation systems. These systems can include inflatable floatation devices, such as portable floatation tanks or inflatable pools, filled with Epsom salt solution. Home floatation systems can provide a convenient and cost-effective option for regular floatation practice.

Now we will dive into the different processes we have in order to maintain a room waters hygiene. Remembering this is not simply all we do to maintain the rooms, but merely the waters hygiene.

What Are the Health Standards for Floatation Therapy Tanks?

(Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) recommendations for operation and maintenance of floatation tanks, North American Float Tank Standard (2025).docx)

Before breaking down the process of maintaining a float pool, we would like to shoutout the "North American Float Tank Standard (2025).docx" and how they mention that caring for a float pool is much different than the process of maintaining a swimming pool, or spa. A lot of what I'm referencing here will be from the NAFTS but I will also be including any extra measures we take here at The Float Place in Patchogue, NY. That way, you get a full comprehensive look behind the float pool door. Now, let's jump into the logistics. The main processes can be placed into three categories.

Reduced Contaminants & Protection of Typical Portals of Entry

"Compared to a pool or spa, the way that users interact with the float tank results in significantly lower levels of contaminants being introduced into the solution, as well as much lower risks of those contaminants colonizing and potentially infecting the user."

Practice

Standard float tanks typically operate with a single user at a time, with a filtration cycle between each session. Users shower before entering the float tank, greatly reducing the contaminant load they bring into the solution. They also shower thoroughly afterwards to remove residual salt, reducing the chance that any pollutants from the solution would remain on their body. We do not allow floating with any open wounds as it is not sanitary. We offer petroleum jelly to cover any small knicks that may sting in the float water promoting this sanitation practice. Floaters are told not to wear any outside clothing so as to not introduce any outside particles from either the apparel or anything your apparel may have come in contact with. Skimming the water of debris and a visual inspection of the tank occurs, ensuring the water is appropriately tended to.

Water Supply

The water we use to fill the float rooms goes through a commercial filter we have hooked up to the municipal supply. The filter cartridge gets changed out every 3-months, ensuring all water at The Float Place has passed through a filtration system.

High Concentration of Epsom Salt

"The most significant difference between a float tank and a pool or spa is the fact that float tanks are filled with a solution made of water and about 25%-30% Epsom salt (MgSO4•7H20). This concentration of Epsom salt has a significant impact on the chemistry of the solution, making it very difficult for pathogens to grow or even survive."

Again, referencing the NAFTS helps us understand what pathogens have been tested, what results come from these tests, and why there are layers of protocols put into place to maintain the hygiene of a float pool. 'Tis not a simple feat but we remain grateful for the years of experienced float pool owners who have come before us that help set the standard of excellence between the community.

Circulation & Filtration

"Float tanks employ a filtration process that happens between each float session (each user). The minimum of three turnovers between each session set forth in this standard will allow 95% of the float tank solution to be filtered. Four turnovers will achieve about 98% filtration. (PHTA, 2024, Pool and Spa Operators Handbook, Chapter 10)"

Filtration Systems

Float tanks are relatively small devices, with small volumes of salt solution and short lengths of piping for their filtration system. This maximizes exposure to UV light and filtration between users. The water in each float room runs through its respective circulation system located in each services changing area. Again, the duration is key here. The water turnovers begin at least an hour before the rooms are available for customer use. Between each client the filters are ran thoroughly, passing the water through the multi-step system.

UV Treatment System

The water in the float rooms passes through our filtration system that includes a UV treatment light. Ozone and UV disinfecting systems are imperative for the sanitation of a float room. These are high-powered lights meant to destroy pathogens and act as another level of disinfection against microorganisms. "Since floatation tanks systems rarely use chemicals like chlorine to treat the water, other effective disinfection methods, like ozone or ultraviolet (UV), need to be incorporated to reduce the likelihood of pathogen survival."

Chemistry

Chemistry is a daily, nightly, and weekly process done by staff to ensure all water safety levels of the float solution are appropriately maintained. The list goes as such:

Hydrogen Peroxide is a compound used as an oxidizer. An oxidizer is a product used to destroy organic contaminants in a float solution as well as improving clarity. It is also suspected that hydrogen peroxide acts synergistically with UV, further enhancing the sanitation of the float solution. The H2O2 standard is set to 100ppm.

pH is a quantitative measure of the acidity of a liquid or aqueous solution. Expressed as a number on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral; values less than 7.0 are acidic and values greater than 7.0 are basic. We are testing for the pH and isolated alkalinity of the solution.

The water temperature is kept at skin temperature (93-95 F) to ensure full sensory deprivation but also as a measure to maintain a hypertonic environment that inhibits microbial growth. These temperatures create a hostile environment for most bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This temperature also reduces the likelihood of pathogens surviving in the solution, as the high salinity and temperature work together to create a disinfectant effect.

(https://biologyinsights.com/are-float-spas-sanitary-how-clean-are-sensory)

Height is kept at 11 - 11.5 inches to ensure the ratio of the solution is at optimal sanitation standards.

Specific Gravity quantifies the relative density of the float solution compared to that of pure water. A saturated aqueous solution of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate, MgSO₄·7H₂O) and water, formulated to achieve a specific gravity between 1.23 and 1.30.

Shock-oxidizer is used to destroy non-living organic and inorganic contaminants in float

solution. This product is neither a sanitizer nor algicide.

Besides the shock-oxidizer, all of these levels are measured and corrected daily. These are like the special ingredients that bring you the silky, soothing solution, optimal for a successful floating experience.

With all of these measures in place there is still a weekly routine of changing out the filters, shocking the pools, wiping down the walls, doors, and ceilings etc. There is tender maintenance in tending to these portals of rest. There is a responsibility to maintain the structure of the device and also the solution that's inside of it.

We hope in writing this we have shed a bit of clarity on the mysteries of floatation therapy. Which, after many years of tending to the service, you realize is just another gadget created in humanities search for harmony. Whether it's maintaining the water with a patient, delicate grace, or spending 90-minutes basking in the service itself, we find that floatation therapy offers that same mirror of peace reflected back to us.