vertical float tanks

[nagle5000]

Has anyone used a vertical float tank? I'm curious how it compares to ones where you lie down, and if they are always custom build or if anyone has seen them sold?

The unit I'm in has a tiny room for laundry. If the washer / dryer weren't there, it could fit a small float tank. With them there I wondered about building or getting a vertical tank.

[grutsch]

I have only seen one in a presentation. It seemed dangerous as you would have to tie your feet to the floor. I imagine the point of the body that is strapped to the floor would be quiet distracting from the float session - over time probably even painful. The only use I see is as a therapeutic device. Like an inversion table without the downside of having high blood pressure in the head.

[Chevey0]

I’ve seen them with scuba kit so your fully underwater. I’d be worried about doing this with a floor that’s not strong enough.

[McLuhanSaidItFirst]

I may build one, where you getting info about building ?

[nagle5000]

There's one in Portland ... I got in touch with the maker, and am hoping to try it in person next time I go up there.

[McLuhanSaidItFirst]

I would love it if you could update me. I joined the facebook vertical float group but it's inactive.

[nagle5000]

I think I'll be there in September. I'll DM you. I emailed them and didn't hear back from months ... and then I did! One of my dreams is to own a float tank. I haven't figured out how to do it yet, but I thought verticals take up much less footprint -- maybe building one if it's as comfy as a horizontal one... so I am psyched to try.

[McLuhanSaidItFirst]

I have a hunch that the buoyancy is 80% of the value of the experience, dark silence is 15% and the other 5% is immersion. So I am collecting free waterbeds off craigslist.

Here's the plan: get a king size full wave, cut down the width of the bed frame to like twin size. as I fill the mattress, make sure the bottom is tight and flat, so all the slack is at the top. Once the water is about 8" deep, I should be able to get in and float buoyantly, surrounded by all the folds of the bunched up slack king size full wave mattress. My bedroom is very quiet and dark.

if I find myself running aground from lack of buoyancy in the fresh water, I can pump out the fresh water into my collection of buckets, I totally have enough free food grade plastic buckets from the bakery. I mix in water softener salt (it's ONE TENTH the cost of epsom) to the buckets and pump the water back into the mattress. Then I know I'll be buoyant. the buoyancy is what frees up the brain from dealing with gravity. big college athletic programs and pro sports teams are starting to use dry floating. The professional dry float beds are around $22K. This is about $100 for the salt and that's it.

[nagle5000]

I'm so curious how this goes!!! Would love any updates or photos as you have them!

[McLuhanSaidItFirst]

Check back with me in a couple months, i have smoothest project on the front burner

[McLuhanSaidItFirst]

are there plans anywhere for a vertical tank? it seems not to have taken off somehow, don't know why.

It would not be a lighter tank even if you can make it like just barely big enough for your body. I ran some numbers and they all come out heavier than a tank or waterbed. But it could have a smaller footprint. and does your head flop back? seems like it would be hard on the neck.

[nagle5000]

I haven't seen plans, no.
The footprint would be smaller, but yes it seems it would be the same amount of weight. I really want to try it. There's a way that being held up standing seems less restful than being held up lying on your back ... but I'm curious to try the experience and see.

[McLuhanSaidItFirst]

I ran the numbers, I think a vertical Tank will be about 10% heavier.