FAQ

There are a few guidelines that we recommend observing in order to maximize your Float8 experience.

• Don’t shave or wax
• Eat a small meal 90-minutes prior
• Avoid caffeine and other stimulates unless you’d like a more “active” float
• Remove your contacts (we provide cases and solution)

We have everything that you need to float including towels, earplugs, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, deodorant, hair brushes/combs, and blow dryers. Feel free to bring your own additional personal care items such as a hair brush and makeup to use in our vanity area if you’d like. All you really need to bring is yourself and an open mind!

People with claustrophobia consistently report no problems with floating. Claustrophobia is a rational fear but more about the loss of control than the tight space, and you remain in total control of your experience throughout your float. There aren’t any latches to find, and you can leave the door open or get out at anytime. That said, the time usually goes by faster than you would expect.

Absolutely not. Some people do fall asleep, but the saltwater solution is only 10 inches deep and so buoyant that you will stay afloat plus you’d have to endure quite a bit of stinging in your eyes and bad taste in your mouth. You’re more likely to enter a theta wave brain state that is between wake and sleep. We find that a lot floaters say “I think I fell asleep” which sounds to us like the’ve been in that amazing in between la la land.

In between each floater, the tank circulates the solution through the filter at least three times, meeting the strictest of health code standards across the US. Plus, with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, the solution has a similar mineral content to the Dead Sea in which nothing can grow. Ozone (O₃) and UV light are built into the filtration system and are the primary sanitizers. A couple ounces of a high percentage hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is the only other element added as an additional oxidizer. Ozone is one oxygen molecule more than air, and hydrogen peroxide is one oxygen molecule more than water. As ozone and hydrogen peroxide pass through the UV light, the extra oxygen molecules are removed creating hydroxyl radicals which act like magnets attracting any particles in the solution that are too small for the filter until they become large enough to be removed. This process physically removes any contaminants from the solution, and air and water are the only byproducts. This process in recommended by the Center For Disease Control (CDC) and the Float Tank Association (FTA) and is much safer for floaters than the alternative option of bromine or chlorine. While bromine will kill anything in the solution, it does not help remove it. Bromine also burns off into a gas that will hang within four inches of the surface and is toxic to breathe, especially in a closed tank. In addition to cleaning all touched surfaces between floaters and sanitizing daily, we close half of one day per week for our deep clean to scrub the entire room including the inside and outside of the tanks. We also use this time to top off with water and add Epsom salt. Here is an informative video on the subject from a microbiologist who specializes in recreational water illness. https://youtu.be/9MfW_om6EvU

We encourage it! We have four float tanks at each Float8 location. If you’d like to float together, our XL Cabin at our Fort Lauderdale location and Open Float Room at our Orlando SoDo location can accommodate tandem floats. Note: tandem floats are charged per floater.

Of course! We have several floaters that have started at an early age. Our New Floater Waiver contains the following which must signed by the accompanying adult on the child’s behalf:

“I am at least 16 years of age OR my parent/guardian is ensuring I understand the following policies and will be present during my float.”

Depending on the age and situation, the accompanying adult’s presence may be required in the float room or the lounge during the minor’s float. If the accompanying adult is floating in a separate room, we may have to interrupt the float if any issues arise.

If you’d like to float together, our XL Cabin at our Fort Lauderdale location and Open Float Room at our Orlando SoDo location can accommodate tandem floats. Note: tandem floats are charged per floater.

Absolutely! Pregnant women love to float! Many pregnant women find floating helps relieve the joint pain and inflammation associated with carrying additional baby weight. Floating has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and boost endorphins which may help counteract the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy which can result in insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Anecdotally, many mothers-to-be in the tank have amazing bonding experiences with their unborn baby known as the “mirror effect” where the baby rests peacefully in the womb while the mother rests in a similar womb-like environment which seems to reduce the effects of postpartum depression. Many pregnant women are also prescribed magnesium supplements so soaking in our 30% Epsom salt solution supports that need. Please consult with your physician before floating.

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

There is no risk to your hair or our float tanks if you use permanent dyes or highlights. If you use colorful temporary dyes, we ask that you do not float until it runs totally clear in the shower as it can tint the solution and stain the fiberglass. If we are unsure, we may ask you to squeeze your hair in a white shop towel after you shower. As a reminder, we reserve the right to charge an excessive cleaning fee so it is important that you clear your colored hair with our Team8.

We recommend that you float in the nude for a couple reasons. Firstly, fabric may stimulate your sense of touch and be distracting. Secondly, it is important that we control what enters the saltwater solution so that we can keep it clean for everyone else. Your bathing suit could have detergent, chlorine, sea salt and/or sweat in it. We know that all the pictures you see have floaters in bathing suits, but that’s just so that we can keep our site from being reported. Enjoy floating in your birthday suit in your private locked float room.

No. You can float for hours and never prune or become dehydrated. The Epsom salt acts as a regulator for water and inhibits the water from saturating in the skin.

Absolutely not! Everyone is different and relaxes in their own way. People worry about getting bored or not being able to control their mind in the float tank so they sometimes ask to listen to music, a guided meditation, podcast, or audio book. These are all fine, however, the deepest state of relaxation is when all stimuli are removed. Even classical music triggers the mind to create a story and requires parts of the mind to stay active so relaxation takes longer or is inhibited. We suggest focusing on your breath, a personal mantra, or a body scan until your mind slows down. The position that your body is also important. We’re all built different so we all float different. Some people float with their hands at their sides, some with the hands folded across their chest or abdomen, while some float with them behind or above their heads. We even provide neck rests for those who feel that they need the extra support. Explore what is best for you. Once you find a comfortable position, we recommend that you relax into this position and simply let it all drift away.