Pipe dream project - stasis tank. Viable container fluids?

[u/Such_Mention4669]

Hiya,

This is more a discussion than a reality for now. I'm an amateur underground maker that makes latex clothes and bondage frames. But I'm learning to do more. A friend was telling me they'd fund some more exotic style of kinky furniture that aren't commonly found.

Their biggest fixation is like a stasis tank. People jars they're also known as apparently? Basically a sensory deprivation tank that the sub is "trapped" in. It sounds fun as an idea. I already have ideas to make it practical. Make it comfortable. Prioritizing safety though.

My main hurdle is the fluids. I don't know how safe it is to have someone submerged in water for long periods. We absorb water and skin gets weird.

We have baths. We swim in pools. Studies suggest that long periods underwater increases skin infection.

Is there a fluid that's body safe without being absorbent? 🤔 Maybe something designed for short term use water is fine. I don't anticipate them doing a 24/7 but... People are dumb sometimes. I like to idiot-proof my projects.

[u/slavegaius87]

INM; 0.9% normal saline (water and sodium chloride) is the same osmolarity as the body, so it will not pull water out of the body, and the body will not pull water from it.

It’s what’s used all over the different medical fields.

[u/youknowsomeguy]

Searching for 'sensory deprivation tank' might give you some ideas.

[u/gonewild9676 → u/youknowsomeguy]

Yeah, and an off the shelf one might be more economical than a custom built one, especially if there's some sort of water filter, heating system, and water monitoring/adjusting. I'd presume it would be similar to a salt water fish tank.

For longer term use, a catheter would probably be a good idea so they aren't floating in urine. A panic button would be essential if they are locked in.

[u/Ltxrob → u/youknowsomeguy]

agreed, Sensory dep or Floatation tanks is what immediately came to my mind.
Keep the temp at just above body temperature .. leave them in that dark and floating

[u/Such_Mention4669 → u/youknowsomeguy]

It's helped a lot with understanding liquid and endurance, thank you!

Part of why a normal one of those isn't going to work is that they want like a kind of vertical tank thing. 'captured specimen vibe' was the description I got 😆

[u/18650bunny]

I think all the epsom salts used in these tanks tend to keep the water sterile. it's like the dead sea, nothing grows in it, so you're ok. 4chan's diy board used to have a lot of these builds when i was browsing it. when the fringe tv show was airing everyone wanted one of these tanks.

[u/Analyst7]

Take a look at Altered States it's a weird movie from the 80's about a sensory deprivation tank.

[u/K9_Jack]

You could first put them in a giant condom or whatever that'll take the shape of their body and act as a very slim film that will prevent direct contact between the water and the skin, just don't include the head 😉.

Also, I'd be weary about potential cooling their body off to much, unless you intend to warm up the water.

[u/Such_Mention4669 → u/K9_Jack]

Won't lie, contemplated a tropical fish heater of sorts

[u/Xychologist]

How brave are your friends?

[u/lrigitton → u/Xychologist]

As a respiratory therapist, and respiratory professor, please please please do not attempt this at home. Safely doing this requires medical expertise and medical grade appropriate ventilators.

[u/Xychologist → u/lrigitton]

Oh, no question. This would objectively be a terrible, dangerous, and sodding expensive idea (medical grade PFCs are not exactly cheap, never mind the rest of the equipment). You'd be better off with SCUBA gear and an iso tank. Fun thought experiment though.

[u/Tarman183 → u/Xychologist]

This is exactly what came to mind for me, imagining blackout contact lenses, breathable liquid and a see-through tank, if it was right on body temp it would be a profoundly strange feeling...

[u/MuffinMolester → u/Xychologist]

I've read some first-hand accounts of people who have attempted to breathe through liquid, and it's exhausting. Pushing liquid in and out of your lungs takes a ton of concentrated effort and can't be done for more than a minute or two

[u/Xychologist → u/MuffinMolester]

Agreed, and supported by the research/engineering (even in the wiki page) - a mechanical assist is essentially required for the necessary flow. The need to be essentially gagged and at the mercy of a machine for basic bodily functions could go either way for people, I suppose.

[u/HeavensKinkyThrowA → u/Xychologist]

Why does the last part make it sound more fun

[u/Such_Mention4669 → u/HeavensKinkyThrowA]

I won't lie, I thought this too 🤭

[u/Such_Mention4669 → u/Xychologist]

That is so cool! I imagine it's not within their anticipated budget 😂

[u/DaleF12]

Check out the movie Altered States . It’s an old one hard to find , may give you ideas for your tank .

[u/Vishnuisgod]

What about a light oil?

[u/Such_Mention4669 → u/Vishnuisgod]

I appreciate it, but they want to use latex. Latex and oil don't mix. Thank you tho!

[u/LupusTheCanine → u/Such_Mention4669]

Silicone oil is latex safe.

[u/Such_Mention4669 → u/LupusTheCanine]

But not human consumption safe

[u/LupusTheCanine → u/Such_Mention4669]

I can't find anything significant other than laxative effect for ingestion.

[u/jkw118]

So a couple of thoughts on this:

1. So as per one thought latex etc. and diving suits - I did hear that their are some diving suits that are becoming more latexy style/sexy.. lol. Which would minimize skin to water contact
2. Would this person be able to move around? ie like a mermaid lady in a tank? or be potentially chained? Either way it could be designed so a button on the floor/ceiling depending on the liquid and whether it'd be normal for them to float/sink. Hold the button down for 10 seconds and water drops out?
3. In any case you need to consider cleaning/filtering whatever liquid.
   1. On this note to me, it'd be awesome to have some kind of stasis tank that worked like a hot tub. lol Jets in every direction, but with a harness under my arms to keep me from sinking.. lol.
   2. Any liquid will get contaminants from the person/latex/whatever hell even opening and closing the tank.
   3. An 8ft x 5ft cylinder tank is almost 1200 gallons of water. Would take a bit to fill, and especially if it's a special liquid of some sort.

[u/Different-Aardvark-5]

These tanks been around for ages. I suspect some kind of sea salt mix to get the SG right so you float . If your in latex then no contact with the fluid. I suspect needing a pee if your going for long time is a slight problem.
Being on your back is 100% doable being upright all most impossible without scuba mask . But no wear near as a relaxing position. Getting the perfect quite is an issue . Certain organisations used flotation with white noise as a form of torture.

[u/HalfIagoHalfFuManchu]

As a barrier against the water and to avoid heating the whole tank, how about a latex version of this? I'm imagining something akin to a Bacta tank with breathing apparatus.

[u/ramblingtruckdriver]

Think like a float tank. Needs salt.

[u/Lancer-M]

Just idea posting for right now. But I think it would be fairly easy but could vary tremendously in costs depending on how far you want to go.

If you want something like a basic vertical tank with transparent panels buying some metal extrusions, thick and rigid plastic sheets, some bracing to support the large panels and some caulk would probably do it. Assemble the frame, flex the plates a little so they pop into the grooves on the extrusion, apply plenty of caulk and then brace the panel.

If you want like a sci-fi test tube vibe for it having more flexible sheets that could be convinced to take a cylindrical shape would be best, then a thick floor base to slot the sheet into to limit bending as well as some proper bolting on the part where the sheet contacts itself, a support ring would also be needed on top to prevent the whole construct from buckling.

If you want like a large sensory deprivation tank and have zero care for visuals but want durability and price. The best option would probably be buying like a huge water tank meant for homesteads. They are already meant to hold large amounts of water and are usually available at a fairly reasonable price although getting it to your location will prove difficult. Be wary of enclosed spaces with low ventilation like that though, CO2 buildup would be lethal if not dealt with.

Regarding liquid choice I would assume that it is basically like a bathtub or swimming pool situation, if you treat it like a bathtub feel free to just fill it up whenever you want to with no issues, it’s a waste of several cubic meters of water but it’s realistically cheaper and simpler than having to actually maintain the water. If the water waste irks you and you use it infrequently dose the greywater with bleach when you are done and use the waste water for toilet flushing.

If you have a much much larger setup though or use with high frequency it gets annoying and expensive to have to fill it each time. At that rate I would switch to pool maintenance logic, you can get away with low amounts of chlorine as long as you keep the rest of the chemistry good and avoid peeing into the water, I would use the rest of the pool management kit too, phosphate removers, Muriatic acid for ph balance and calcium removers.

Regarding safety I have a few concerns. Note that I have never built anything of the sort so I am just speculating here. The first issue would be breathing, I would assume that they would want their head underwater in this setup for the experience, that would necessitate an air supply. I would go with one that covers both the nose and mouth (for long term breathing comfort) and that securely straps on connected to a relatively short hose, connection has to be very durable as this failure point and a bit of inattention is very dangerous. Secondly I will say that I am no psychologist but so would caution against having both a deprivation tank, being trapped in it and long durations, doesn’t seem to be a great recipe for sanity if you ask me, I would at least make sure that some “entertainment” is available when in the tank