Learn best practices for starting and running a float center:
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Something in the world of floating have you stumped?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Show Highlights

Sometimes people wear jewelry. Sometimes people float. What happens when these things overlap? What about piercings?

Graham and Ashkahn concisely explain why it’s a good idea to take that wedding ring off before you float in this episode.

Listen to Just the Audio

Transcription of this episode… (in case you prefer reading)

Graham: Okay.

Ashkahn: Welcome. Hey, everybody.

Graham: Hey there. I’m Graham.

Ashkahn: I’m Ashkahn.

Graham: And today’s question is, “Jewelry/piercings in a float tank?”

Ashkahn: Hm.

Graham: Concise.

Ashkahn: Yeah.

Graham: I like it.

Ashkahn: To the point.

Graham: Um. No.

Ashkahn: Period.

Graham: Thanks for the question.

Ashkahn: I mean, so, there’s a couple of factors here. One-

Graham: Jewelry can sometimes be piercings.

Ashkahn: Yeah.

Graham: So it’s not just a straight separation there.

Ashkahn: This is really just a one question thing here. Well, there’s a lot of salt in these float tanks. I don’t know if you knew that.

Graham: Have you heard?

Ashkahn: But the salt can be pretty, it’s pretty intense. It can be pretty damaging. It can eat through metals and it’s not good for some things. So, which metals will it destroy and which will it won’t? I mean I’m sure-

Graham: We could go into it. There are definitely metals that won’t really be affected by the salt.

Ashkahn: Yeah.

Graham: Especially not being in there for such a short period of time.

Ashkahn: But, are you really going to be going through that with each person and the jewelry and piercings that they have?

Graham: And sometimes their jewelry is not made out of the metals that they think it’s made out of.

Ashkahn: Yeah, like a crummy boyfriend back in the day.

Graham: That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Or just a confused person who thought they were wearing their titanium necklace when in fact they were wearing their silver necklace, you know?

Ashkahn: I just thought titanium came out of those little things you put quarters in and spin to get the egg out.

Graham: That is true. If they have just plastic jewelry, you can wear plastic jewelry.

Ashkahn: Yeah, I’m sure there’s a couple, like jade or-

Graham: That’s totally fine.

Ashkahn: But here’s the other thing. It can be uncomfortable. When you’re in the float tank, you just feel everything that’s on your body. If you have bracelets or necklaces or things like that on, it might just make for a slightly worse float experience. So it’s a combination of those two things that makes you be like, well, “what’s really the point of keeping things in?” I mean, I guess there’s piercings where you can’t-

Graham: Yeah.

Ashkahn: -just conveniently take things out of your body.

Graham: And fortunately, those ones are actually often very controlled. And in that case, you want to check with the person who did your piercing. Or, yeah, the person who’s in charge of doing your body work is who you want to check in with.

Ashkahn: And it shouldn’t have been done very recently.

Graham: Yeah, definitely. Healed up. Healed up first. I mean, I know that you soak those things in salt water but it’s a different kind of salt water. Yeah.

Ashkahn: But in general, if it’s rings or bracelets or whatever, if it’s easy to take off, earrings, take it off. Why keep it on?

Graham: And for me, it really is that risk of what if they thought they knew what material it was and it wasn’t? Or what if they’re wearing this thing in and the person running the shop was pretty sure that it would be fine and it totally wasn’t fine. Are you now responsible for replacing this person’s jewelry-

Ashkahn: Yeah.

Graham: -and upsetting them? It just feels like another one of those things since there’s the option to remove stuff. When people have dyed hair, you have them contact their person who does their hair, their hairstylist, and see if it’s safe to go in water or soak in something like a float tank and maintain their color and style and it’s the same for piercings if it is permanent. Otherwise, it’s removable and why ever risk it? Pretty much like why-

Ashkahn: Just say no.

Graham: -take these risks.

Ashkahn: Yeah. Just like drugs. Just don’t even risk it. So, yeah, there you go. That’s it.

Graham: Yep. Jewelry and piercings are just like drugs.

So if you have your own float tank problems you want to send our way, go to floattanksolutions.com/podcast.

Ashkahn: There’s a little box in there. There’s a little box. You’ll type stuff into it.

Graham: Yep. And it sends directly to our brain. So, yeah, we had that surgery done. Take advantage of it.

Ashkahn: All right. We’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Graham: Bye, everyone.

Recent Podcast Episodes

How do you Start Opening a Float Center? – DSP 285

For people just starting out, it can seem really daunting to start a float center. They may not even know where to begin. 

Graham and Ashkahn tackle this idea head on. The most important thing is to do a lot of research (definitely check the resources) and to make sure you have people that you can call and refer to for support when you need it. 

What to do When Floaters Interrupt Intros? – DSP 284

Ashkahn’s back and on form. He and Graham take on the question of how to handle first time floaters interrupt the pre-float intros explaining the process. 

There’s a lot of information that first time floaters need, and if they aren’t paying attention, it can cause messy floats or unnecessary difficulty or confusion. The reunited duo provides some great tips while going over different customer scenarios. 

When is the Best Time to Open a Float Center? – DSP 283

Graham takes the helm again without any co-captain to steer the SS Daily Solutions through the rugged storms of float industry questions.

Today he answers a question about when the best time of year to open your float center. The important thing to remember is that, whenever you choose, you should plan for even earlier, as float centers are more likely to get delayed in construction.

Tips for Choosing Contractors – DSP 282

Graham the Lone Podcaster takes the reigns on answering how to pick a contractor for float center build out. 

It’s the kind of big decision that every float center owner hopes to only make once, so getting as much information ahead of time is extremely useful. Graham breaks down some useful tips and explains how to ask for a bid, specific skill sets to look for, and general advice on knowing when to walk away. 

Starting your Pumps Early – DSP 281

In this episode, Graham goes solo again to answer a particularly loquacious listener who sent in a question about how to logistically handle your changeover when a floater comes out early.

It can be tempting to start your changeover as soon as possible, especially if you have a few of them to get to, but Graham lays out some helpful things to remember before flipping that switch and running your pumps before the allotted time.

Latest Blog Posts

4,937 Things to Know About Buying a Used Float Tank

4,937 Things to Know About Buying a Used Float Tank

You’re thinking about buying a used float tank. Whether this is for a new center, an addition to an existing operation, or a purchase for your home, this is a big decision.

We’ve compiled together some of the major questions and considerations to entertain before making a purchase. While you do have the opportunity to save some money and snag a good deal, there can be hidden costs and unknowns to weigh against those savings.

Offering Overnight Floats

Offering Overnight Floats

Almost three years ago, we discussed the merits of running overnight floats from an employee’s perspective, focusing on the opportunities of this unique experience as well as its challenges. We’d like to take a deeper dive into this issue because, while the majority of floaters come through our tanks during “normal” business hours, overnight floats form an important part of not only Float On’s identity, but also its business structure and broader culture.

How to Talk About Floating

How to Talk About Floating

You step into the elevator and shuffle to the side to make room for the kind-eyed, old woman with the miniature poodle.

“Good morning,” you say with a smile.

“Good morning,” she beams back, her gaze resting briefly on your water bottle with the logo from your float center’s annual party.

After a brief pause, she asks, “What is Float-a-Palooza?”

You take a breath, smile, and launch into your literal elevator pitch.

So, what do you say?

Employee Handbook Template

Employee Handbook Template

Whether you are a small or large float center, you most likely have other employees working for you. Regardless of the size of your staff, for reasons of efficiency and legality, it’s essential that your organization has clear and straightforward policies and guidelines. No matter how good employee communication is, it’s always safest and cleanest to have clear parameters and expectations written down.

This is why Float Tank Solutions has created a customizable Employee Handbook Template. Free for anyone to download, it contains federally compliant language (current as of October 2016) and contains a multitude of sections, from employee benefits and compensation descriptions to job guidelines and discrimination policies.