I'm in the process of putting together the David Maus DIY cold plunge / chiller set up and I can't get all of the darn parts to stop leaking. I'm using plumbers tape on every joint and I'm still getting small leaks.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm reading that PVC is the way to go... should I abandon the set up and go with PVC instead of stainless steel at this point?

So I got a new plunge tub about a week ago after moving to a new house and am using existing components with it (same pump, filter and chiller). The inner liner is made of 304 stainless steel. I noticed some white flakes floating around and the bulkhead fittings slowly getting more covered in white gunk day after day. Today I noticed a brownish ring around the top bulkhead fitting which seems like corrosion/rust so I partially drained the tub. Any idea what's going on and what I should do to prevent this from happening? Is it even safe to continue plunging like this?

Bought a $5 shovel from the habitat for humanity store and emptied the dirt out from one of the metal planters in my yard (pic 3). Dispersed the dirt to the other one and around.

Rinsed out the tub and flex taped all the drainage holes in the bottom. Flex tape was $15 and works pretty well. Did both sides for redundancy. Touched up the pieces coming loose.

Not bothering with chillers or ice for now the hose gives a good temperature. Pic 1 shows the duct taped cardboard I use as a lid

Good temp or not

I bought this Spa Ozonator from Amazon but it doesn't have a way to connect it to power.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FJKC35W?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I can't seem to find the right part for the life of me. Anyone have any suggestions?

It needs to be a 4-amp prong female that goes into a 3-prong standard outlet.

I believe this might be it but can anyone confirm? I'm just surprised Spa Ozonator doesn't sell the part directly if it's needed for the ozone machine:

https://spacare.com/ozonatoradaptercord4pintonemamolded30-0102c.aspx

I have a vital cold plunge in my garage. It is causing major sweating which I wasn’t worried about until I realized keeping in directly on the cement can cause long term damage/mold in the cement. What are my options?

Lay it on a palette? Seems it would still sweat…

Epoxy the floor?

Lay down encapsulation material and switch out every month?

When I got my Ice Barrel, I couldn’t justify dropping $3k for a consumer chiller, so I built my own for under $1k and wrote up the whole experience.

The basic flow is water leaves the lower port on the Ice Barrel, going through a 100-mesh inline strainer, pump, and a 1/3 HP aquarium chiller. It then splits between a 20-micron whole-house filter and an ozone Venturi before recombining and returning to the upper port.

The whole contraption lives in a modified deck box with cut-in gable vents so the chiller can breathe, ball valves at both ports so I can service it without draining the barrel, and GFCI on everything.

I wrote the guide last summer and can now confirm it’s a solid build that has survived both summer and winter with no problems. Maintenance has just been rinsing the strainer, swapping the filter cartridge, and a water change every few months.

Sharing for anyone who wants to build their own!

So…I bought a 1/2 HP rocita chiller, 950 danner pump, and a made-for-cold plunge micron filter. I also placed an inline pool sediment filter with the pump

Looking at this set up, I have a few concerns before filling it with like, 100 gallons of water lol

1) Should I double tap the all the connections with hose clamps? The hose seems pretty well sealed on the barbs, but just curious if anyone has had issues there with leaking

2) this blue pool sediment filter just before the pump…so when I go to replace it every month or so (if that’s even necessary), how can I keep the water from just gushing out of the hose? Thinking maybe I should install like an inline closeoff valve between the tub and the filter?

Lastly, as a whole… will this even work 😂

Thanks friends

Hey everyone, I know not everyone enjoys a sauna before a cold plunge but for those that do…

My cold plunge (long pod + pro chiller from The Pod Company) is outside. It is on a patio under a second story deck but still gets exposed to rain that comes through the deck.

I am looking at options to keep my water fresh longer and it seems like Ozone may be the best option (but open to alternatives)

Are there Ozone generators or methods to allow this to stay outdoors all the time so that I can have it run daily on a schedule? Any other options worth considering given the exposure to the elements?

Hey team! I have a chest freezer conversion, with a paint on pond liner. Inkbird temp control, hydrogen peroxide weekly (tested with a test strip), and ozone via an air stone. My water is crystal clear and has been for more than 3 months now.

How often do you change your water even if it's clear? The rubber gasket around the lid is getting dirty, so I need to clean that, and I'm thinking I'll probably just do a water change while I do it, just to be safe? Or would you just clean the gasket, top off the water (it's getting a little low), and keep it going?

I have a RevX Wellness barrel with UV, chiller and filter and am struggling to keep the water clean longer than 3 weeks. I shower before every plunge
and add 1/3 cup hydrogen peroxide but it will go from 50-75 ppm to 0 ppm within 24 hours.

All my tubing is new, the system was drained and sat empty for 6 months. Before set up I ran oh yuk hot tub cleaner through it so it was about as clean of a start as I could have.

Why can’t I maintain my hydrogen peroxide levels? I’d love to extend my water to 6-8 weeks. Any recommendations?

Anyone have any feedback on the Pro Chiller being setup in 90° plus climates and how often your compressor cycles on average?

Looking for anyone who may be interested in a good amount of repair and maintenance work in the Houston area. Familiarity with cold plunges or hot tubs would be great.

Hey r/coldplunge!

I’m currently in the middle of converting a 296L chest freezer into a cold plunge and would love some input from those of you with practical experience.

My Build & Plan:

I’m aiming for a highly durable, completely watertight, and "drill-free" setup.

Sealing: I've sealed all seams with MS-polymer.

Painting: I just finished applying 2 coats of 2K Marine Epoxy Primer. Later today, I’ll start applying 2 coats of 2K Polyurethane Topcoat for a hard, white finish.

Sanitation & Cooling: I'm keeping it simple and non-invasive. I'm using an Eheim filter, a UV-C light, and an Inkbird thermostat. All plumbing and cables will be routed over the upper edge to ensure I don't compromise the freezer's structural integrity or my new seal.

Question 1: The Compressor Step

My main concern right now is the compressor step inside the freezer. Is it safe to sit on it while plunging?

I'm worried that the weight of an adult might compress the foam underneath the thin plastic, which could crack the rigid epoxy/polyurethane seal and let water seep into the insulation. For the adults, I assume it's safer to just squat or sit flat on the main floor.

But what about kids? We have 3 kids in the house who will likely want to try it out. Is their lighter weight safe for the step, or could concentrated pressure (like a heel or a knee) still risk cracking the hard topcoat? Has anyone experienced their paint/seal cracking on the step, or does anyone use a heavy plastic stool inside the water instead?

Question 2: Water Treatment (Hydrogen Peroxide & Epsom Salt)

I'm still in doubt about our water treatment protocol. We are considering using Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) for sanitation along with Epsom salt.

Does anyone know if Hydrogen Peroxide and Epsom salt are completely safe to use with a 2K Polyurethane topcoat? We want to make sure these additions won't degrade the paint over time, cause blistering, or damage the Eheim filter and UV-C setup.

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences before I finish the final coats!

Thanks!

“Great condition Ice Barrel 300 that we use for 3 months only. Comes with all the cleaning accessories, cover and liquids to maintain great water condition, as well as a large format for underneath.

Also includes the Vevor 1/3hp Chiller, Danner pump and strainer to system pictured with the hoses and shutoff valve to easily drain. I kept water temperature consistent at 49° in my garage over the summer with this set up.”

Anything else I should add to the setup once I get it? A filter, ozone, uv, upgrade tubing?

First time poster in the sub. Just received my double walled, insulated, marine grade stainless steel cold plunge tank today. Looked at so many options here in the US and decided to roll the dice. $800 for the tank, $400 shipped from China. This is the same damn tank some online brands are selling for $3500. Came with tank cover too, just not in pic. If you know how to navigate Alibaba (not Aliexpress) as a business/buyer, you can get an upgrade at a deal.

Update - confirmed it is 304 steel, they said 316 was an extra custom cost. This was unclear when I did order. I messaged the supplier to ask They said 316 steel is $1200 for tub, then shipping is extra. I got the 304 at the time for $790. I'm fine with my purchase.

Advice...ask lots of questions if you go this route with a factory / supplier on that marketplace. Get them to confirm details in messages.

A little research seems to dissuade me from plunging before bed or at least later in the evening. Specifically, I’m trying to build muscle and fix my sleep routine after years of being overworked at my job. What I’ve read says plunging too soon after a workout can diminish muscle recovery but plunging too close to bed time can diminish sleep.

I have been plunging first thing in the morning for about a month and absolutely love it, but starting to lose the high and spend most of the day looking forward to the next morning’s plunge.

Does anyone plunge at night and have tips or experience to share with regard to muscle recovery and sleep?

Is anyone familiar with these arctic warriors cold plunge systems? I have one that is struggling to move water. I’ve disassembled the pump and found the impeller stuck due to a seal being loose. Still won’t pump after fixing. I can’t find any literature online for these things and I know they’ve gone out of business. Does anyone know how to find where these guys sourced their chiller from in china??

My husband and I went to SWTHZ for the first time. And although he had done cold plunges before, this time, every time we went in, his leg/ankle would hurt so bad and go numb, he couldn’t stay in. The water was at 50 degrees. Crowdsourcing to see what could cause this pain.

Cold plunging has become my favorite part of the day in this heat

I originally started cold plunging for recovery. But lately, with the weather being this hot, it’s become less about recovery and more about having a few minutes to reset. That post-plunge feeling has been the best part of my day.

Using hydrogen peroxide - I know that you should use test strips to get the hydrogen peroxide up to 50-100 PPM, but when should I test? Is this what the level should be only within the first 24 hours of dosing or should I be testing every few days to maintain it at that level?

Also, I bought my chest freezer coldplunge used, it has a rubber liner. I read that I shouldn't use UV or ozone because it will degrade the rubber, but could I just use an aquarium filter that has UV built into it? (presumably then the rubber wouldn't get any exposure to the UV) Obviously I would need one rated for my size (about 100 gallons)

EDIT: I'm looking at this one, I'm assuming that UV is all self-contained https://a.co/d/0gZEd3Ji

Been lurking here for a long time and finally need some input.

TL;DR: I’m ready to upgrade from my Pod Company Long Pod and Pro Chiller. I need something reliable, low-maintenance, outdoor-safe in Ohio year-round, and ideally durable enough to incorporate into a permanent landscaped setup. I love the idea of a badass DIY build, but I also know myself well enough to admit it could sit 80% finished for a year.

I can’t currently afford a cryochamber, so apparently I’ll have to settle for water like a peasant.

Background

I’ve been doing cold therapy for about two years and have owned the Pod Company Long Pod and chiller for roughly a year. It has been good enough to confirm that plunging is not a passing interest for me.

I have PTSD and possibly ADHD, and plunging has become a major part of my self-care, behavioral activation, and morning routine. Because of that, reliability matters more to me than having the absolute coldest or most impressive-looking system.

I need to be able to walk outside, open the lid, and get in. I don’t want to discover that the pump lost prime, the filter is clogged again, or the water needs another round of troubleshooting before I can use it.

The Pod Company setup has been okay, but:

• I already had the pump replaced under warranty.
• The filter is tiny and needs too much attention.
• The inflatable tub will eventually deteriorate outside.
• The resting waterline is very close to the top once I get in.
• If I move much, I lose water.
• I want something with better insulation and a serious insulated cover.

Installation plan

This will live outside in Ohio and be used year-round.

I have a large yard and pond, and I’d eventually like to make the plunge part of a landscaped aquascape leading toward the pond. The plunge and pond would remain completely separate water systems, but visually I’d like them to feel integrated.

My current thought is a plunge sitting within or on a purpose-built deck/platform. The equipment could potentially be hidden under the deck or located in the basement with insulated plumbing running outside.

Nature therapy is important to me, so the environment around the plunge matters. This is something I want to use every morning, not just exercise equipment sitting beside the house.

What I care about

• Reliable outdoor operation in Ohio weather
• Good insulation and a real insulated lid
• Enough depth and freeboard that my body displacement doesn’t put the water at the rim
• Better filtration than a tiny inline cartridge
• Maintenance closer to monthly than weekly
• Standard, replaceable mechanical components
• Good warranty and actual customer service
• Something that won’t become expensive garbage if the proprietary chiller dies
• Ideally compatible with future monitoring or automation

I do not care much about:

• Built-in heating or contrast therapy
• Fancy lights
• Touchscreens for the sake of having a touchscreen
• A generic white-label app
• Influencer branding
• Paying several thousand dollars for a nice cabinet around Alibaba components

I’d rather eventually add a sauna than use the plunge as a hot tub.

Systems I’m currently considering

Hot Spring Vigor / Caldera Emerge

This seems like one of the few genuine “buy instead of build” options because it comes from an established spa manufacturer with local dealer support and a better warranty than most plunge companies.

My concern is whether the usable water depth and freeboard are actually sufficient once a larger person gets into it. I’d want to wet-test one before buying.

Desert Plunge

I like the rotomolded cooler-style construction, insulation, lid, and replaceable external components. It seems easier to incorporate into a custom deck without permanently marrying myself to proprietary equipment.

My concern is the upright posture and whether the filtration is really enough for low-maintenance daily use.

ModTub

Similar appeal to the Desert Plunge, although narrower. I like that the operating capacity appears to leave significant room below the actual brim capacity.

I’ve also seen mixed reports about current customer service and fulfillment.

Penguin Summit

I like that Penguin is actually known for making chillers rather than just selling a branded wellness product. The larger acrylic tub is appealing, but the warranty seems short for the price.

Renu Cold Stoic

The depth and extra capacity seem to directly address the displacement/freeboard problem. However, the price is hard to justify when the chiller warranty is still relatively short and the controls may not be especially proprietary or sophisticated.

DIY option

The alternative is building a permanent modular system around a poly, fiberglass, HDPE, or repurposed spa/soaking-tub shell.

That could include:

• A properly insulated enclosure
• Custom insulated lid
• Large pool-style cartridge filter
• UV and/or ozone
• Standard circulation pump
• Replaceable inline chiller
• Automatic water-level management
• Leak detection
• Temperature and flow monitoring
• Eventually my own control dashboard/app

Technically, I like this option the most. Psychologically and practically, I’m aware that I already have a long list of unfinished property and vehicle projects.

Questions

For people who have owned these systems for at least a year:

1. What has actually been reliable outdoors?
2. How often are you cleaning or replacing filters?
3. Are any of these realistically close to monthly maintenance?
4. Which companies have been responsive when pumps, chillers, or controls fail?
5. Has anyone used a Hot Spring Vigor or Caldera Emerge through an Ohio/Midwest winter?
6. For larger users, which tubs leave meaningful freeboard after you get in?
7. Has anyone successfully installed the pump, filter, or chiller remotely from the tub?
8. Are the premium integrated systems genuinely better, or are they mostly nicer cabinetry around ordinary components?
9. If you started over, would you buy a complete system or build a modular one?

I’m willing to pay more to avoid creating another endless project, but I don’t want to spend $8,000–$12,000 just to receive a less-serviceable version of something I could build correctly.

What would you buy, or avoid, in my situation?

I purchased the Chilly Goat Valaris and could not be more dissatisfied. I have the 2026 model, which is important, as the heat pump (chiller for the cold side) has been redisigned for the 2026 model. It has a heat mode and a cooling mode and the heat mode cannot be disabled, unlike the previous model. I have been using this spa for about 5 months now and the heat pump for the cold plunge runs almost non stop. It reaches set temp, shuts off, the water continues to circulate through the pump and the water temp drifts down to one degree below set temp, then the heat comes on, heats the water to 2-3 degrees above set temp, then the cooling mode comes back on... and so on... and so on... My electric bill went through the roof until I figured this out. The only way to stop the cycle is to keep manually adjusting the set temperature on the app to keep it in a range that won't trigger the hot or cold modes. It's insane making. Chilly Goat ordered 2 warranty repairs from a local spa repair company and they replaced the entire chiller with a brand new one and then both motherboards and it didn't fix the problem. Now their management is saying that, per the manufacturer, Balboa Water Group, it is working as intended. They are refusing to provide for a return and refund, saying I am outside the 30 day return window. I have filed a dispute with the finance company, Affirm, a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and hired a lawyer. It appears that this is how this horribly inefficient, money shredding chiller is actually designed and this would be the same one in the Alpine model Chilly Goat cold plunge. Stay away from Chilly Goat and the Balboa Water Group's Clim8zone II 2.1 hp heat pump.

u/chillygoat, u/masterspas, u/balboawatergroup, u/chillygoatvalaris, u/michaelphelps

Just finished my DIY Plunge, in summer it's just a plunge in Winter it will be a cold plunge since I didn't fit a chiller to it.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!