Floatation tank construction is a hybrid discipline, pulling from many other fields. Unless a person has advanced training in electronics, they could KILL themselves or someone else with their naivety. I asked a naive question in the electrical forum on reddit and learned a number of sobering things.
Power outlets should not be within 6 feet of water
If a power outlet is closer than 6 feet to a pool, it should be grounded so that stray current does not run into the pool.
There are government mandates to use GFCI on any wet indoor area
I was completely unaware that there are laws in place requiring the use of GFCI in wet areas. In the USA, there is a body called the “NEC” that governs this. I had never heard of them before today. Because float tank manufacture is a self-taught exploratory practice with no formal education or certification, this fact escaped me.
I built my first float tank 13 years ago completely ignorant of this. Then my 2nd one 6 months ago. Again with no awareness or regard for this rule. But now, my 3rd one is being built in compliance.
It only takes 0.5mA to potentially disrupt your heart and kill you.
I have this little habit of fishing my hand into the water and grabbing a submersible heater or pump while it’s plugged in, thinking: “Oh, it’s only for a second… what could happen?” … well if a teeny-weeny 0.5mA gets to your heart in that second, it’s bye-bye.
Epsom Salt eats away at a lot of things… perhaps even electrical wire?
I’ve seen epsom salt dissolve cement blocks over time. And more. So, to think that an electrical wire is going to maintain its integrity with continuous exposure to epsom salt is betting against the house.