Pump, Chiller & Ozone Best Practices | What needs to go on a Timer? How to run your DIY Cold Plunge 

Perfect timing. I just finished my build and I was considering the timer config.

Just finished mine! it looks so good !!

so glad i found your channel very helpful!!

Sounds good master chief!

Wow - can't thank you enough. I thought just maybe you might answer the question that I sent in via a comment reply, but a video was much better!! I appreciate the insight and will proceed as per your recommendations.

Perfect info. Thank you very much.

Ambohr SPA-124 Ozone generator ❤👍

I agree with what you said,,,,but before this video I was on the fence about chiller on a timer. But your info persuaded me to not do the timer on chiller. Great info on the deadband setting,,,,was not aware of that setting. I like the idea of broadening the deadband setting so it is not cycling on and off a lot. And finally your insulation recommendation is so spot on. I see other people on youtube build plunges with little or no insulation,,,,but invest in 1hp chillers,,,,,,crazy. Also,,,the idea of paying for that $1100 plastic ice barrel that has no insulation in it(from what I can tell),,,,,is absolutely foolish. Anyway great video.

The chiller timer debate sounds similar to when I ran my AC while living in AZ. My friends would complain that their bills to run AC were crazy high even though they would turn it off while they were at work. I told them it’s cheaper to maintain a temp than to make their AC work really hard to cool down a hot room. I let mine run 24/7 and was paying a fraction of the cost that they were for electricity. This feels very similar.

before insulating, i had to put the chiller on a timer otherwise it would run almost all the time . After insulating there is no point in a timer anymore just like you said, and i can get it to stay in the mid 30's. Insulation is king.

So, i JUST tuned into your channel on this past Tuesday. Not sure why it took so long for me to link up to you. It is strange because the items you suggest are the same that i chose... i chose the Danner pump, and the Active Aqua 1hp chiller with an Aquatic 2 Ozone Generator. Main difference is that i went the vinyl tubing route. I started plunging this past winter in the lake near my house on the Dec 30th. Through the ice. Started once a week then moved to twice consistently bumping up the time in the water. Needless to say, i got addicted to it. April the temps started to rise and decided i need to build one. It is bare bones in my shed right now naked tub and lines crazy condensation. Got it operational on Fathers Day. Plan is to get it to the point that i can put it in my basement without the condensation being a problem. Biggest issue right now is that the water gets cloudy after about two weeks. I had spin down filter that i had set up before the pump with a 50 micron screen, this was bad and i needed to pull the screen because it was constantly plugged. (50 microns is about 1/2 of a hair btw). Right now, i have the ozone pump running 24/7, i will put it on a timer soon. I am in the thought stage of getting a different filter and moving it to under the Venturi tube like you suggest, i had a valve to adjust the suction at this point under the Venturi. It is difficult to be at $2800 and tell my wife i need to spend another $50 on a different filter. The cloudiness has me stressed rn bc i dont really want to use bromine or other sanitizers OR keep changing the water. Do you use any additives to keep the water clear or is the filter and ozone it? Sorry for the length.

Hey Joe did you see my question below about the pump output ? Really curious for your perspective. Thanks so much!!

Do you have content that shows how you setup electrical, timers, and the use of your outdoor junction box?

Could I build the plunge you designed but omit the chiller? I’m planning to put mine inside my garage year round, and I’m assuming I will be able to get by with less ice than if it was outdoors because of it being inside and insulated. I’m planning to use a pump, filter, and ozone generator to minimize the amount of times I need to drain and refill.

I bought a penguin chiller after watching your shorts comparing the penguin to the aqua. Do you happen to know how to adjust the dead band setting on the penguin? I can’t seem to find any tutorials on the penguin chiller on RU-vid or in a Google search

Question: the danner pumps with 1200 gph but your recommended Filter e.g. from Ge gxwh20s only allows 12 gpm or 720 gph. Ever thought of choosing a fitler with less resistance? It must reduce energy usage as well or not? Greetings

I was curious if you know how to put the pump on a switch so you can turn it off when you get in? Since the pump runs 24/7, it would be running when you get in, and I’d rather not have the water moving while I’m doing a plunge. I keep my water at 45 degrees which is plenty cold and obviously the moving water makes it feel colder, which I don’t think I need. I have a valve that I can turn off to block the water going into the plunge, but I assume that would put stress on the pump. Any other suggestions?

I’m in Southern California where our crooked utility companies charge us triple the electricity rate between 5pm - 9pm. I have my refrigerator ‘s, pool pumps on smart timers to not run during that time, along with subconsciously not running AC and trying to conserve electricity during this “peak demand” time. What would be your recommendation for that 5 pm - 9 pm window? Think a smart timer would be ok for the chiller / pump in that instance? Tub will be well insulated and covered. Thanks for the videos!

I made a chest freezer into an ice bath recently so I don't need the chiller. Is there a filter pump system you'd recommend to keep clean?( i assume chillers already have filters in them) the ozone generator will be a great addition. Thanks!

wondering if there is a link on how to bypass the chiller all winter, here in minnesota? thanks

Does anyone else unplug everything when plunging? I plug it back in right after. I have chiller and pump plugged into a smart switch and then into a GFCI extension cord. Is there a safer way to have this set up?

How do you have all of these components plugged in? As far as using power strip, gfci, and a junction box?

Yhanks for the video (and all others you put out). Kinda dumb question but I bought an in line filter I purchased prior to getting a chiller. I recently got a chiller that came with a submersible pump. Is there any issue with running both ? It’s not like the water is making waves or a monsoon will ensure and figure a bit more movement is better in terms of sanitation. Thoughts?

Will the pump and filter operate okay in below freezing temps?

Hey Joe, I’m currently building your guide for the 100 gallon Rubbermaid tank. I was wondering why the water doesnt run through the filter before the pump and chiller. Seems like it would make sense to keep the pump and chiller as clean as possible without debris in the parts. What do you think? Why do you have water flow through the pump and chiller first?? Thanks in advance

Im keeping it indoors with a controlled 67-70F What are your thoughts on how to prevent condensation?

I switch everything off before plunging. It’s probably irrational as the system is on a GFI plug and all the electrical stuff is outside of the tub so any stray current/circuit will likely not to the tub but to earth/gfi. Any thoughts about improving electrical safety so that I don’t have to power down the system before getting in?

Does that venturi injector come with 1/2" hose barbs?

Do you have a link to the light you use for your plunge?

Is ozone build up inside the tub space a concern? Can it result in a harmful environment?

My only reservation with running the pump 24/7 is that filters will be burned through much faster than if the pumps on in intervals.

Can I switch my inflatable jacuzzi to an ice bath with buying a chiller? If so do how would I do that? It's small 100 gallons

Also, have you run into any issues using that tiny ozone generator to keep water clean? In my head I have to get the JED, but at triple the cost it’d be hard to justify if that little guy would suffice. 🤷🏻

which chiller do you like best?

Hey Joe have you ever tested the flow of the pump on the system? (Via a water flow meter) I tested the 1200 GPH pump and it came in at around 300 GPH. I tested with multiple flow meters and they all said the same thing. I thought maybe it was the distance of the piping but I got similar results when I attached it directly to the pump without the piping. Thoughts? I’m using the 3600 GPH pump now which is flowing at around 800 GPH in actual flow.

What would be the downside of not adding in ozone?

or, is there an easy way to heat the water with my pump and filter? jacuzzi heater, in line with the pump?

Is there any downside to running the ozone generator 24/7?

Is the LED light only an option for the luxury plunge?

Ah fuck I’m just gonna buy a complete system lol

I am in no way, shape, or form disagreeing with nor arguing with you, but where can I find more information on NOT putting pumps and chillers on timers? I was 100% planning on putting both on chillers, but you’ve done gone and broken my heart with this video.

I've read that ozone can damage rubbers and plastics like polyethylene causing them to degrade and crack over time and can potentially create toxic chemicals when reacting with them. Have you noticed anything on your builds since you started running ozone? One source below but a google search will show much more. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking