DIY Cold Plunge Order of Components | What order do you put your pump, chiller, filter and ozone?

What order should you put your pump, chiller, filter & ozone in if you are building a DIY Cold Plunge? Here are my personal thoughts on this, and what I recommend in my DIY cold plunge plans.
The main components (in-order) are: Tank, pump, chiller, filtration + ozone sanitation, then return to the tank. Before anyone asks, I'm not a fan of UV - its the sort of thing that works at first but degrades over time, and the bulbs are a pain to replace. Some commercial plunges started out including them, and nearly all have dropped them for that reason and because ozone sanitation does just as good of job on it's own.
Let me know what questions you have in the comments below!
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[@trevornorris1328]

This is the explanation I needed. Thank you so much. Just bought my penguin chiller and my pump, ozone, and venturi from you (oh and of course the plans). Very excited to set up my system, thank you!

[@DIYColdPlunge]

Glad it helped!

[@shanesolomon8602]

I think your logic here is spot on. As you said, pumps are bad at pulling but good at pushing, you don’t want anything before your pump. Plus, if you have a lid on the plunge then most debris in the tub will come from what’s on your feet when you get in. The majority of that large debris; grass, pine needles, dog hair, etc… are going to float. That’s why actual pools have skimmers, so realistically, that’s what you’d want but I thought through that and it would be wayyy overkill. I’m in the process on building mine now but I’d be shocked if the bulkhead stainer actually caught much. I bought a handheld fish tank net to quickly remove any large debris off the surface in lieu of a skimmer. Framing plans were fantastic, keep it up!

[@DIYColdPlunge]

100%! Thanks!

[@GirthBrooks775]

I’ve been running my in this configuration but I’m starting to lean towards having two lines. One for small pump and chiller and a separate for a pool filter. I was using the Intex pool filter prior to needing a chiller and I really liked it. The flow on it was way more than the pump on my chiller killing any chance at a thermal barrier. Not sure what the PSI is but probably too high for the chiller and it runs on a timer which wouldn’t really work with the chiller either. And the filter is way bigger so it would need replaced less often.

[@DIYColdPlunge]

Nothing wrong with that idea at all!

[@ShrikeTTV]

Love the vid, going to be putting mine together with your plans next month. My question after watching this video is are you running the chiller and pump 24/7 and how often is the ozone system running as well. Thanks for the content !

[@DIYColdPlunge]

Pump & chiller run 24/7, ozone is on a Christmas light timer for 60 min - set for after my normal plunge time

[@chrisbrennan5216]

I have a Penguin Chiller/Pump Combo. The one thing I have noticed with this unit is that the internal pump doesn't have a high enough flow rate to pump water through the filter/venturi unit. In order to use the venturi, i had to add an additional pump and put the venturi directly in the line (all the water flows through the venturi). Would be interested to see you review that chiller unit and get your feedback. And hear any other ideas about how to overcome the short comings of the internal pump.

[@DIYColdPlunge]

I wonder if they have changed up their components. I know they've taken the cold therapy chiller back to the drawing board a few times since its release. I'll see if I can get my hands on one.

[@BrianCooperGplus]

Have you thought of adding a tub heater into the mix? Could use a simple controller like the inkbird it seems, maybe put it after the filter? I guess you would need a chiller bypass? Or just run it through the chiller while the chiller itself is not chilling. Interested in your thoughts!

[@DIYColdPlunge]

I have, I didnt actually need it last winter. The pump kept the water in the mid-high 40s by itself

[@BrianCooperGplus]

oh I meant to be able to use it for hot soaking too (just like the plunge option), I was thinking of using this same essential design for a hot soaking tub that is chlorine free :) @@DIYColdPlunge

[@kronzone1]

When plumbing from the tank to an external pump, is the inlet or outlet higher on the tank? If that makes sense. Is the pump pushing water high or low.

[@DIYColdPlunge]

I have the inlet (return to the tank) just below the water line.

[@Jskarda2244]

Hey, have you made a video on the different chillers? I haven't found it if you have. I'm leaning towards the 1/2 hp penguin but was wondering your thoughts.

[@DIYColdPlunge]

I'm working on one that I'll post soon. Overall 1/4HP AA or EcoPlus are best bang for your buck, 1/2HP Penguin beats 1/2HP AA but both are good - whatever can get to you when you need it with backorders at this point.

[@GirthBrooks775]

I went with the 1/2 HP penguin. The wait time when I ordered said 3-6 weeks. It took 8 and their customer support would say “it should be shipped in the next couple days” and it wouldn’t be. Just be prepared for that. It is a great chiller though. We’ve had multiple 100°+ days in a row but my water has been a consistent 50°.

[@user-gm8nw5kl9g]

How quickly does the water cool down with active aqua or penguin? 1 or 2 degrees and hour? Quicker?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

Too many factors at play to answer that. Starting temp, ambient temp, insulation, tank size, etc. My advice is to not judge a chiller by the time it takes to cool but if it can maintain the temp you want

[@joshuaweaver6681]

Following your guide andbuying the venturi and other parts from you I am still seeing small bubbles in the tank and in the actual filter. Is this an issue? Mainly curious if the punp was primed wrong, or I am letting air in somewhere possibly?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

You could try rebooting the system. I sometimes get air bubbles in my filter housing, it has never had a negative effect though

[@Inquiz01]

Thoughts on two water filters? I ask because I have the ThePodCompany setup with the chiller and the water is leaving the pod entering the small pump into a built in filter which not that great then into the chiller and then into your water filter setup.

[@DIYColdPlunge]

Two filters or two pumps? I wouldnt go two pumps they wouldnt play well together.

[@Inquiz01]

@@DIYColdPlunge I would keep the setup I have now. Output from cold plunge to pump/filter combo then onto chiller and then onto your filter setup and into the cold plunge. Thanks for taking the time to respond to me.

[@mikehawk4470]

I noticed on the image of the plunge's configuration they've got what looks to be a heater. I live in an area where winters will freeze everything solid and I'm worried about damage and not having to smash through 3" of ice to get in. Have you worked with an inline heater before?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

I have, but I haven't needed to use it. I live in MN and my water stayed int he low 40's all winter with just the pump running

[@DanSanniti]

@@DIYColdPlunge - Interesting. What inline heater did you use?

[@kevinhofmann9691]

What is the order if I am using a pool filter as part of my set up? I don't need a pump as well right?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

Tub > Pump + Filter > Chiller > Ozone loop w/ball valve > Tub

[@galinswigart]

How often do you replace water using this kind of filtration system?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

I've gone over 100 days without a change.

[@jeremydance4110]

What about an inline heater? Before or after the chiller? I'm thinking of putting it after the pump but before chiller?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

To transition to a hot tub? or to combat freezing?

[@jeremydance4110]

@@DIYColdPlunge combat freezing in northern Montana

[@JakeRandle-cx4ly]

Any issues with excess pvc cement in the pipes running through the components?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

I havent. It should completely cure inside the pipe

[@andrewgaffka3525]

How do you like the EcoPlus 1.5 hp chiller?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

Overkill unless it's the only thing you can get 👍 Absolutely nothing wrong with it though. Just spendy and HUGE!

[@LibertatumAutMortis]

I absolutely love mine. It is a beast!! Both in capacity and size, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

[@sherekoki]

Which chillier are you using?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

I'm running the Active Aqua 1/4HP these days

[@sevanski]

I just purchased the new ice barrel 300 and a Penguin 1/2 hp chiller. From what I can gather, the Penguin requires 1 inch tubing, whereas the ice barrel is fitted with a 3/4 inch inlet/outlet. What parts do I need to buy to make the conversion, and can I purchase them from your online store to support your channel?

[@DIYColdPlunge]

Hey! I dont sell the PVC Fittings, but you'll want to get 1" male threaded fittings for the in/out on the chiller and then condense down to 3/4" from there. That's what I've done on my builds too and works great

[@sevanski]

@@DIYColdPlunge thank you! Much appreciated!

[@tomrooney8939]

Hey Sevanski How has the Penguin worked out for You? I have a 300 on it’s way and thinking Penguin or an Eco Plus Thanks

[@sevanski]

@@tomrooney8939 works amazing. No issues at all. It’s a thoroughbred.

[@advanced1018]

What chiller brands can you overclock to get near 34F, like the active aqua? I bought your newest plans, hopefully will build in the fall when the garage cools a bit.

[@DIYColdPlunge]

My Penguin 1/2HP HE could be set that low by default. EcoPlus 1/4HP and Active Aqua need that calibration hack.

[@LibertatumAutMortis]

@@DIYColdPlungeJoe, have you tried the hack on one of the EcoPlus white commercial models?