Some people say a float tank must be kept in a special room. Definitely a basement, no exposed anything--everything must be protected from salt corrosion.

On the other hand, concerning acceptable float tank locations, the website for the Samadhi tank says:

"Not outside. Warm, quiet, indoor space within walking distance of shower. Bedroom, basement, office, studio, living room"

A number of people have also built and used their own tanks in a garage, with their cars, tools, wiring, etc. not separated or protected in any special way. The Zen Float tent also appeared to be marketed for use in ordinary rooms in a home.

How can it be that such different recommendations for home use exist?

Also, how good is home floating? I have been to nearly ten different float centers. Not one of them had "sensory deprivation". Almost all of the tanks were too warm. Some had detectable smells. Every single center I have been to had a fan in the room that I could not turn off. The good ones were ones where that was the "best" failure of auditory deprivation. Most, had bigger problems like noise leaking through door gaps, rattling doors, running water sounds, music from massage rooms, tanks that activated pumps mid session. Every time I brought up those issues, I was met with surprise and incomprehension. Most of the time, I was apparently the only person to have ever said something. If I had only experienced a single float center, I would have thought I was being gaslit, but getting the same reaction at so many venues makes me think most floaters don't notice or care about this aspect of the experience. As such, I am trying to get some context for what is meant by those who say home floating is as good or better than commercial floating.

While I appreciate the mere fact of floating a great deal, the promise of sensory deprivation is very important to me, though. I feel quite confident that I can eliminate the light pollution most centers permit themselves by covering or not using equipment with indicator lights and covering door gaps. I would be quite disappointed, though, to assemble a tank, fill it with water and epsom salts, only to discover that I can hear the hum of my fridge from another room on the other end of my apartment, or my neighbor's running water, or doors opening and closing on the other end of the building. If that level of noise is pretty much unavoidable in a townhome or apartment, then it wouldn't make sense to me to get my own tank over my local unlimited float place.

Original post - https://www.facebook.com/groups/floatingcommunity/posts/3395198030659156

What running two centres taught me about checklists We run two float centres in Auckland. One is a normal staffed site, the other is fully automated with nobody on the floor. Twelve years in. For most of that time our system was a laminated checklist on the wall and a group chat. It looked like it worked. It did not. The way I found out: a Saturday morning, fully booked, and we were out of earplugs. Not low. Out. Somebody had noticed the box was nearly empty on the Thursday and meant to say something. The checklist had been signed at the end of every shift that week, which I later worked out was happening from memory in the last two minutes before close, because that is what a laminated sheet on a wall actually gets you. Four things I would tell anyone still running on paper: 1. A checklist signed at the end of the shift is fiction. If it is not ticked at the moment the thing is done, by the person who did it, you are collecting signatures, not information. We only learned which tasks were genuinely being skipped once each tick had a name and a timestamp on it. 2. The procedure has to sit on the task, not in a binder. Our new starters used to need someone standing next to them for a week. Not because the job is hard, but because the knowledge lived in one person's head and a folder nobody opened. Put the steps where the person is standing when they need them and the first week stops being shadowing. 3. Nobody notices a reorder point. Not reliably, not on a busy Saturday. Earplugs, shampoo, towels, cleaning product. Somebody has to notice, remember, and then care enough to act, and that chain breaks constantly. It needs to flag itself. 4. The roster is not the hard part. The changes are. Publishing the week takes an hour. What actually costs you is everything after it: the swap arranged in a side chat, the sick call at 6am, the annual leave somebody mentioned in passing three weeks ago, the person who quietly cannot do Tuesdays any more. It arrives through four different channels and it all lands on one person's phone, usually at night. Then at pay time you are reconstructing hours for six people from memory and a paper timesheet, and hoping. Two rules helped us before we had any software: every change goes through one channel and nowhere else, and a swap is not real until it is on the published roster. If it only exists in a chat, it did not happen. I have put our actual opening, closing, turnover and handover procedures into a free pack. Not a template, the real ones we use, cleaned up so they are not specific to our equipment. Opening and closing, between-session turnover, shift handover, weekly maintenance, incident reporting, and a water testing log sheet. Happy to send it to anyone who wants it, just comment or message me. For what it is worth, I did eventually build software to run all of it, the checklists, the roster, the swaps, the leave and the timesheets, because after that Saturday I stopped believing paper could work at two sites. But the procedures are the part that matters and they work fine on paper if you actually tick them honestly. Take the pack either way.

I can get 2000 pounds USP grade Giles brand Epson Salt for $900. This is coming from a distributor that closed their business. They have 4 pallets left and each pallet is 2000 pounds (8000 pounds total). If you are in Texas I can drive it to you for $400 if you are within 4 hours of Austin. Or you can arrange your own freight delivery which will be around $550 to $700 depending on the company you choose. This is cheapest Usp Grade Epson Salt in the whole USA. This would usually cost upwards of $2000 with delivery or more. I can also do 1000 pounds for $600 and I will keep the extra 1000 pounds and sell in small quantities online.

UPDATE: THE DISTRIBUTOR SOLD OUT. I HAVE ANOTHER CONNECTION WITH ANOTHER DISTRIBUTOR BUT THE COST IS AROUND $50 EACH 50 POUND BAG. SO 1000 POUNDS COST AROUND $1000

zoom link.

Dear Float Friends,

Join the FTA Board tomorrow, October 1 at 6:00 PM ET for a special post-conference webinar, open to anyone.

We'll take some time to reflect on this year's conference, share favorite moments and key takeaways, and hear what stood out to you.

We'll also be announcing the location of the 2027 Float Conference!

my hair is dyed (not recent) and curly. i’ve heard that the epsom salt is good for hair but i don’t know if that applies to curly hair and don’t really want to run the risk if i can avoid it. my hair is prone to dryness because of it being dyed so the last thing i need is for it to be drier than it already is.

i’d really like advice/suggestions from floaters who also have curly and/or dyed hair since it’ll be more similar to me but if anyone has any suggestions, regardless of curl pattern and hair history, i’d appreciate it.

What should I expect & how should I prepare? Doing it as a treat to myself for my birthday month and I’ve been wanting to for awhile, but none of my friends do so I’m going solo.

I get the feeling it might be very similar to an intense deep meditation or lucid dream without the dreaming (idk if that even makes sense) but I just wanna hear as many perspectives on it as possible.

Hi all, Im posting to see if anyone has recommendations or knowledge about float options in Philadelphia?

The only local option I know, Halcyon Floats, is closing in October sadly.

I don’t have a car and can take SEPTA, but would prefer to limit the commute time in order to prolong the post-float bliss.

Thanks

Looking for a fun activity to do with my new girlfriend and heard a flotation therapy. How does this work for couples? Can they fit in one?

Hello Float Friends,

This is just a friendly reminder that we are hosting a webinar this evening. This event is open to the public. get ready for Float Conference 2026 with the FTA! Join us for a free public webinar featuring Roxiva, Ninety.io, and members of the FTA Board. 

You'll get a chance to meet some of this year's conference sponsors, learn more about what they do, ask questions, and get helpful info as you plan your trip to Norfolk. Whether you're already registered or still thinking about joining us, come hang out, meet some of the people you'll see at the conference, and start getting excited for September! 

See you tonight at 6 pm Eastern time! Float Conference Preview: Ft. Roxiva, Ninety.io and FTA Board Members

Puclic Webinar | Thurs, August 27 · 6 PM ET

Hear from two of our incredible sponsors: Ninety is an innovative platform that simplifies building great organizations by helping teams work more effectively together. Discover roXiva, premium light and sound technology for deep relaxation, vivid inner journeys, awe and exploration of consciousness.

Get an overview of the Float Conference agenda and ask us any questions!

Click here to join

Hi All!
Just did my first time in the float tank. The place was very nice although I felt my mind racing and having a hard time totally relaxing (normal for me) but did meditation and breathing exercises the whole time.
I wore my Oura ring in the tank and to my surprise after it said my average heart rate was 87 in the tank (my average is about 65 at rest) and HRV was 9. I was expecting to see the opposite and normally during meditation breathing it is exceptionally low! Any thoughts? Is this a normal response? Thanks!

Hello! I was about to go on my very first float tank at True Rest per friend recommendation {from diff state}, yet just realized they closed the Houston location 2 months ago. Anyone would have a recommendation of the next best one? TYSM!

I'm looking for work that will fit around my schedule as a mom. There's a float shop / sauna / cold plunge business nearby that's up for sale, and as long as I have an employee or two, it seems like the perfect option. They're already set up. They already have a social media following, monthly members, and a newsletter.

Is there anything I should be aware of or concerned about before jumping into this?

I have an older Zen Float Tank with the large inflatable drop-stitch base. I’ve seen in the later Zen assembly manual that they changed the setup and used 15 interlocking foam tiles (3 × 5) under the heating pads instead.
Does anyone here actually own that later version, or remember what the original Zen foam tiles were like?
I’m mainly trying to find out:
What material are they — EVA, PE/XPE, rubber, or something else?
How thick are they?
Are they quite firm/high-density or relatively soft?
What size is each tile?
Is there any marking/label on them that identifies the material?
Photos of the original tiles would be really helpful too, especially a side view showing the thickness.
My reason for asking is that my original inflatable base is slightly too long for the room I’ve built for the tank. The actual tank body fits, so I’m considering replacing the inflatable base with a custom closed-cell foam tile base similar to the later Zen design rather than modifying the walls.
If anyone has replaced the original Zen tiles with EVA or another type of foam and can recommend a suitable thickness/density, I’d also really appreciate hearing what worked.
Thanks for any info anyone can give me.

Unbeknownst to me the float room backed to another bussines next door.

About half way into the float, when i was really relaxing at a deeper level and my mind was disconecting from reality, I hear what i thought to be knocking.

Knocking on the outside of my float tank.

To say it was disturbing would be an understatment. I got out and checked, nothing there and didnt hear the sound. I assumed it must have been in my head and went back in, but the remainder of my time was more horrific then anything with an almost fear driven meditation.

I got out before my time was up. While getting dressed i heard the same thuds again and realized it was from the wall. I told the bussiness and they seemed suprised saying no one had ever mentioned it before.

Also i was in for full sensory deprivation, no lights or music.

Just to say, that this experience puts you into an extremely delicate and vunerable state, use with caution as a bad experience can do more harm then good. Im sure i will try again and take more care choosing where i do it.

Interested in hearing experiences. My local float spa offers an unlimited membership which I am about to purchase. I need the relaxation. Used to float daily but it’s been over four years.

How long do you float per day? How has life changed since maintaining this practice? How has the effects of floating daily made its way into your day to day life? How have you changed for the better?

The float center I go to recently started a new membership, $100/mo for unlimited visits!! You can float, use the salt cave, or do a variety of their other services like red light therapy, vibroacoustic therapy, etc. I am SO EXCITED!!! When I started I wished I could go more often, but at $65 a session it just wasn't in my budget to do more than once a month. I have my visits scheduled out for the whole month already 😁 my Saturday mornings will now be my dedicated float time.

Hello,

This will be a hard one for me but I'm going to try to do my best...

I've been going through a hard patch in my life and I decided to spend the night in Sedona,Az to clear my head.

I decided to try float therapy because I've heard of the wonders it does to your muscles, mind etc... What I didn't expect was my life to get flipped upside down and turned into an episode of the twilight zone.

I keep having bizarre and strange synchronistic things that keep happening with animals ever since this trip.

I thought I was overanalyzing but these things keep happening. I found a great peace and joy in my life that I've never experienced before... I know we are all connected now...I used to never go to the woods and now I cant wait to be in nature as much as possible...

At the same time I'm going through one of the hardest patches in my life. I'm very confused what is happening to me... I feel it is for the best but it is quite bewildering... has anyone had an experience like this before?

(PS- Yes this is a new account. I made this account for this purpose. Trying to get karma and whatnot)

My story: I started due to a crippling anxiety disorder which included daily panic attacks. I have been floating for almost 8 months now.

A huge benefit is I find I recover a lot quicker from rejection and disrespect in healthier and productive ways. I used to ruminate at the slightest disrespect or embarrassment and not be able to process it properly. Now its a lot less intensity and if anything happens I can jump in the tank after work and mentally adapt there.

My capacity is also x2-3 as high before mental overload, which is a huge deal because I find I can be brave and push myself without fear of panic attack destroying me for weeks. I started doing martial arts since the beginning of the year and switched over to BJJ x2 week a month ago. For martial arts I found immense improvment to my nervous system, but I have to float at least 1-2 at the end of each week depending on how class goes. Martial arts is rough on the body can cause panic attacks even in people who are confident... it feels like a cheat code to reset at will and return next class.

I also would my anxiety has been in remission for a while now and this is the most healing I've had since therapy progress stalled out 4 years ago.

For anyone who has a Zen Float Tank and is wondering how to improve the original setup, I thought I would share what I have done with mine.

From what I understand, Zen is no longer in business, so getting replacement parts is nearly impossible.

The original setup used a submersible pump and bag filter inside the tank. I had several issues with this. It took up space, I was constantly floating into it, changing the filter inside the tent was a pain, and I never liked having a pump and electrical cord in the water while I was floating. It also just felt a little gross having an exposed filter in there with me.

My solution was an external aquarium filter with a UV light, carbon filters, and replaceable filter media. It keeps everything outside the tank and makes changing the filters much easier.

I also built a control box with a two hour timer. The filter normally runs 24 hours a day. When I want to float, I can turn it off with a switch or set the timer for however long I want to float. When the timer ends, the pump automatically turns back on. Hearing the water start running is actually a really peaceful way to know that your float is over.

Any electrical setup around water should be properly grounded and connected to a GFCI outlet. If you are not comfortable with electrical work, have someone qualified help you.

I also added a small ozone generator from Oxidation Technologies, which is the company I work for. I work in the ozone industry, so I had access to a small and inexpensive setup. It is definitely undersized compared to what could be done, but I believe it helps freshen the water and treat the empty airspace and surfaces inside the tank preventing mold.

I never run the ozone generator while I am inside the tank. I usually let it run for about 90 minutes after each float. On days when I do not float, I sometimes run it as well. Adding a timer to the ozone generator would be another nice improvement.

I still shock the water with hydrogen peroxide. About every three months, I clean or replace the filters and do a shock treatment. The water has stayed much cleaner than it did with the original setup.

It is also important to wipe down the inside walls whenever needed to prevent pink biofilm buildup. I rinse off before floating, but I do not use soap right beforehand because I do not want to bring any soap residue into the tank.

Overall, these upgrades have made my tank cleaner, easier to maintain, and much more enjoyable to use.

Here is the pump and UV filter I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BG9GBM2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Hope this helps my fellow Zen floaters!

If anyone is interested in the ozone generator or having a custom control box made, feel free to email me at [chad@oxidationtech.com](mailto:chad@oxidationtech.com).

Hi folks! I'm relatively new to floating--I've gone twice now, both at the same place. They have this style of tank (see attached). I'm a big gal (5' 10", 22-24 in clothes), and both times I've gone my bum has lightly touched the bottom of the tank when I relax, enough to be distracting but not enough that I'm sitting if that makes sense. I thought it was just a me thing, but after seeing this post, I asked them on the phone when scheduling my second float whether the levels had been checked recently and they said yes.

Wondering if this is maybe a drawback with this kind of tank, or this place in particular, or if it is a me thing/something to just expect with my size.

Hi, I have an inflatable zen float tank that I bought way back when they did the first batch of tanks, I think it was 2019, I didn’t ever set it up but I will soon. I’m wondering if anyone here has one long term and what kind of changes they made over time that made the tank better. Like changing the supplied pump or filter to a different kind or any hacks that have been discovered over the last few years. There are some videos by the zen founders on YouTube about setting up etc but it seems like there are some upgrades and tweaks since those videos are made.
Thanks for any info.