Float On - Float Tanks

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about floating? Don't worry, we get lots of them. Here are the ones we get most.

Can I float if I'm pregnant?

Like a pickle covered in maple syrup, pregnant women love floating! There is even a special position you can float in that relieves all of the weight of the baby off of the mother's body. If you are in your third trimester, or have any concerns, please consult with your physician before coming in.

Is there anything I should do to prepare?

Don't drink coffee for several hours beforehand (it can make your system jittery). Also, don't shave or wax since the salt water can irritate your skin. Eating a light meal about an hour to 90 minutes ahead of time stops your stomach from sounding like an angry monster while you float. Other than that, there's no specific preparation needed.

How long have you been in business?

Float On first opened it's doors October 17, 2010.

Can I float if I'm menstruating?

Yes. Just follow the same protocol you would for a swimming pool.

Do I need to bring anything?

If you have longer hair, you may want to bring a comb. Also, something to put your contact lenses into while you're in the tank. Other than that, we provide everything you need (towels, robes, earplugs, body wash/shampoo,...)

What are the differences in your tanks?

Once you're inside the tanks, the experience is practically identical in all of them. The main difference is the height in the ocean float rooms (they're 7 feet tall, while our other tanks are about 4 feet tall). The float rooms also have lights that turn on and off on the inside of the tanks themselves.

Can more than one person float in a tank at a time?

Only one person per tank. We have four float tanks, so up to four people can come float simultaneously in our shop. Double-wide tanks do exist, but we think that they take away from the whole 'sensory deprivation' experience.

Do I have to stay in the whole time?

There aren't any latches on the tank doors, and you can get out anytime. That said, the 90-minutes usually goes by waaaay faster than you'd expect (our average customer usually says it felt like 30-45 minutes long).

What's the longest someone has been in the tank?

Christopher, one of our owners, goes for a 12 hour float about once a month... John Lily is said to have floated for much, much longer periods of time.

Who invented these crazy devices?

John C. Lily.

How long have float tanks been around?

The first float tank was developed in 1954. These involved full submersion in water and a breathing device that completely covered your face. The first lay down, commercial tanks were invented in the early 70's.

What if I'm claustrophobic?

Being in the tanks is more like floating in outer space than being shut in a box. You're always in control of your environment, and even people with extreme claustrophobia have reported having no problems with their time in the tank.

Is this new-agey mumbo jumbo?

Floating has been around for over 40 years and has oodles of published research to back it up. No mumbo or jumbo here.

How do you clean the tanks?

The water is fully filtered 3 times between each float, passing through a 10 micron filter and a brominator.

Do I get dehydrated from soaking for so long?

No- your skin doesn't even prune up. You do absorb a lot of magnesium from the epsom salt though...

Can I drown if I fall asleep in there?

Nope. Some people fall asleep, but the water is buoyant that you stay afloat. The worst that can happen is getting woken up by a bit of salt water in your eyes.

Is this like altered states?

Yes, but you're not submerged in water, you don't eat ritualistic mushrooms, and only a small percentage of floaters turn into proto-human monkeys.