The equipment used for pools, spas, and other recreational water facilities isn’t interchangeable—and float centers must follow local and state-level rules for filtration pressure and disinfectant levels.
In floatation systems specifically, the effectiveness of disinfection depends not only on the chemical used, but on how the equipment is sized and configured. Key factors include flow rate, filter pore size, and turnover timing between clients.
Float tanks require bigger flow rates to turn over a small volume of water quickly—usually three cycles per session. That’s where pump strength and filter pairing matter.
To push 50 gallons a minute through the filter and cycle the water fast enough between clients, you need a decently sized pump. But flow rate alone isn’t enough—the filtration method itself plays a critical role.
Microfiltration is thought to be one of the strongest water sanitation systems for float tanks. It can filter particles from water down to 1 µm in size. In comparison, standard pool and spa filter cartridges filter only to 20-30 µm.
This type of apparatus is the Rolls Royce of filtration systems, Jérôme Logie, a Senior Marketing Manager for Global Water Systems at NSF, told me. “It has been perfected and commissioned for decades on drinking water processes, and is now also widely used for float tank water treatment,” he said.
In addition to providing the highest possible filter efficiency, these micron filters help to comply with best practices. “As a rule, the entire saltwater solution should be filtered three times between float sessions, so microfiltration gets the job done to clear all potential debris,” Logie told me.
“It is separating particles larger than 1 µm effortlessly, and—referring to the filter capacity—for illustration purposes, a human hair has a typical diameter of 75 µm,” he added.
As opposed to integrated float systems, this newer type of filtration system houses filters in a control room separate from the float room—to keep the environment relaxing and free of noise pollution.
With these new generation filters, there is also the option to add a flow meter for monitoring the GPM flow rate of the system, which is required in some states.
An important component to add to a filtration system is the auto doser for H2O2 or chlorine. Auto dosers used to come separately, but they have now become part of a filter’s design.
The professional float community had called for the development of automatic chlorination systems that are specific to floatation tanks. Most automatic chlorination systems still in use today have been designed for hot tubs, and this can increase the likelihood of low or excessive chlorine concentrations—most notably due to the difference in the size of the units and touchpoints.
Auto-dosing units in chlorination systems for hot tubs have been intended to chlorinate larger volumes of water and are not well suited to small floatation tank designs. This makes it very difficult to maintain a safe free chlorine residual of less than 10 ppm, as recommended by health authorities.
Caution should be taken with UV systems for the disinfection of float tanks, too, when it comes to choosing the right UV lamp range and efficiency. Special wavelengths work in concert with chlorine to kill pathogens.
There are UV lights used on aquariums and UV systems that municipal wastewater treatment plants use, and everything in between—all with different levels of quality, durability and power. These units, which attach to the filter, should not be undersized or underpowered.
Float filtration systems have become increasingly maintenance friendly. Gone are the days when the whole filter had to be replaced if a part lost functionality. Now they come with modular components for quick and easy servicing as well as replacing parts. This is especially helpful in unfortunate instances when salt recrystallizes and solidifies in the system, and the piping needs to be disassembled to flush it.
The industry is now working on perfecting aspects related to sustainability, such as how to dispose of old salt water.
“Alongside proper maintenance and disinfection, it is generally recommended to drain the saline solution from the tank and replace it with a fresh one at least once a year—unless clogging of the pipes or contamination occurs and requires immediate action,” Logie said.
States or municipalities may allow operators with tanks hooked up to a septic tank or field to empty them down the drain, but the long-term environmental effects of this practice are largely unknown.
“Sewer systems usually allow for proper dilution of the high concentration of salts before reaching the wastewater treatment facilities.” But it is “highly recommended to check local regulation first,” Logie told me, as some restrictions on volume may exist in favor of a partial replacement of float tank water.
With the widespread adoption of float tanks, future sustainability initiatives could facilitate the implementation of better disposal systems for float tank businesses.
