Are Float Tanks Clean?
Maintenance (main-te-nance) n. The process of maintaining or preserving someone or something, or the state of being maintained.*
We are conscious of the work it takes to maintain a body and soul. Our float tanks are a mechanism designed to aid in your journey at any stage, and we are mindful of the maintenance it takes to guarantee a clean experience.
A line of questions we will never shy away from is, “Are float tanks clean?” and “Are float tanks hygienic?” At Vessel, the answer is a simple, “yes”. Float tanks are not your standard pool or hot tub, and they differ greatly in their contents, filtration and the way we interact with them. As a result, floating is a very low-risk activity; the bather load is predicted and carefully monitored, clients are required to shower before and after every float, the tanks are rarely used by children and users do not swallow the solution, eliminating a very large source of aquatic health risks.
There are three main aspects to the cleanliness of your float experience – the water, the filtration system and the way Vessel maintains each within our studio.
Water
The Vessel experience begins with stepping foot into your own, personal tank. With 7.5ft ceilings, each tank is filled with 250 gallons of salt water solution, containing 1500 lbs of pharmaceutical grade epsom salt.
Salt field, Southern Taiwan
The salt not only aids a blissful float, but makes the solution a hostile environment for the bacteria-spreading microorganisms we want to avoid. The high-density float solution limits the extent to which common pathogens can thrive. Using an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP), we also treat each body of water with a powerful dose of ultraviolet light, ozone and a daily 35% H2O2 solution.
AOP Sanitation Science:
For the detail-minded, when germicidal UV light (UV-C) and ozone react, the result is the production of hydroxyl radicals. This reaction is known as the Advanced Oxidation Process, or AOP. Hydroxyl radicals (•OH) are the most powerful oxidation agents available, quickly destroying bacteria, viruses, pathogens and other contaminants that occur in water. Hydroxyl radicals also destroy chlorine and bromine resistant microorganisms such as Cryptosporidium Parvum, Giardia and E.Coli.
Filtration
Each float tank is equipped with the Micron Filtration System’s custom X-100 filter, able to filter particles from the water to 1 micron in size. While you shouldn’t ingest the solution, find peace in knowing it is filtered to be FDA compliant for drinking water (Class 1 Filtration). For perspective, standard competitor pool and spa filter cartridges only filter to 20-30 microns and require regular cleaning. A human hair contains 50-70 microns, pollen 30-50 microns and dust mite feces contain 10. We monitor our filtration systems regularly to ensure an elevated, yet grounding, experience.
Vessel’s Maintenance Routine
As part of Vessel’s self-maintenance, we work to ensure we are taking full advantage of our water solutions and filtration systems. The water in each float tank passes through our filtration system at minimum three times between each session and, when not in use, on the hour. To ensure the water is not compromised, each tank’s chemical balances, pH and alkalinity, and salt content are tested twice weekly, and the tanks’ walls are bleached, scrubbed and disinfected on the same schedule. While a complete solution change between sessions is not necessary nor sustainable (a reminder, that’s 1500 lbs of epsom salt per tank), fully emptying and replacing the saltwater is part of our monthly maintenance protocol (or in the event of an emergency).
Maintenance is important, and we firmly believe a holistic, self-maintenance experience is where you can recharge your body and mind with the absence of any physical and mental stress. At Vessel, confidently unwind in a serene, safe and clean environment. We commend curiosity, so if you have any further questions, our knowledgeable team is always happy to answer. We look forward to seeing you in studio!