Some of the most common questions we get here at Float Haven are:
Do you empty the tanks between float sessions?
Is the water clean?
Is floating safe?
Float Haven takes your health seriously and we have maintained a rigorous cleaning and sanitation procedure since the day we opened our doors to the public.
Float Haven is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Health and we worked very closely with both state and county government health agencies prior to opening back in 2017 to help ensure the safety of our customers, employees, and anyone who uses our float tanks. Our number one concern is that you enjoy a safe and healthy experience at our float center.
We do not empty the tank between float sessions, and the reason is backed by simple science!
This is how we make sure our water, and you, are safe:
1. The float tank solution is comprised of approximately 1,000 pounds of magnesium sulfate (AKA Epsom Salt) combined with 150 gallons of water. This creates an environment in which biological entities cannot proliferate. Think of the Dead Sea. It's called the Dead Sea for a reason. Nothing can live in it. The solution in our tanks is 3.5-4 times "saltier" than the Dead Sea.
2. Our float tanks have a self-contained filtration system that employs UV light and ozone gas to sanitize the solution.
How does UV light sanitize water?
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions.
How does ozone gas sanitize water?
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), "As an oxidizing agent ozone is 51% stronger than chlorine and has a kill rate of 3.125 times faster. Ozone owes its biocidal effectiveness to its ability to oxidize organic material in bacterial membranes, which weakens the cell wall and leads to cell rupture causing immediate death of the cell.
3. Every week, Float Haven adds non-chlorine shock to the float tank solution. We add vinegar regularly to break down any biofilms that may have developed along the surface and water line in the tanks. Once the biofilms have been depleted, we add a 35% hydrogen peroxide to the solution to kill any "germs" that may be trying to hide along the water line. Think of it as stripping the armor off of germs then blasting them with a ray gun!
4) When we clean our rooms between clients, we also sanitize, using hospital grade hydrogen peroxide, disinfectant and Clorox wipes on the floors and surfaces that people are likely to have touched. These surfaces include shower handles, soap/shampoo dispensers, light switches, buttons inside the tank, the tank handle, door knobs, fresh water spray bottle in the tank, the "halo" neck support, and anywhere else in/on the pod where clients are likely to have touched.
5) Our tanks have the most advanced filtration system currently available in the float industry. Here’s information directly from Superior Float Tanks:
Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) Sanitation Science
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.
UV + O3 + H2O2 = Peroxone AOP 1 Micron Filtration
The Micron Filtration System`s custom X-100 filter is able to filter particles from the water to 1 micron in size and is now both NSF 50 and FDA compliant for drinking water (Class 1 Filtration). Standard competitor pool and spa filter cartridges only filter to 20-30 microns and require regular cleaning. This is the first ever NSF 50 filtration unit that uses the 1 micron bag filters exclusive to Superior Float Tanks.
6) We have increased our testing of the pH, alkalinity, specific gravity (how floaty the water is!), and the depth and temperature of the float tank solution to occur once daily.
As you can see, we go to long lengths to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients. It is our number one priority now and always!