Do you have a green pool?

Posted By Peita Otterbachon July 15, 2020

The fastest and most effective way to fix your green is to boost chlorine levels through a shock treatment and add an algaecide.

You have an algae bloom in your pool and unfortunately that is why it may be a nice shade of green at the moment instead crystal-clear blue. With 30 million spores of algae in a shot glass, it is important to kill the algae and prevent it from returning as quickly as possible…a slightly green pool can become a very green pool before your eyes.

First things first, the BioGuard Colour Test!

My pool is slightly green

If your pool is light green (or even teal in colour), you have a small algae bloom and a standard shock dose will be required.

My pool is very green

If your pool is dark green, you have a medium algae bloom and will require a double shock dose.

How to fix a green pool in 5 easy steps

Step 1. Remove organic waste - empty all baskets, scoop your pool and vacuum (to waste) any debris remaining (this is what algae feeds on!). The more waste in your pool, the less effective your chlorine shock will be.

Step 2. Test and balance your pool - your chlorine shock will be more effective if your total alkalinity and pH is balanced.

Step 3. Boost your chlorine – add via the skimmer a standard shock dose of a 600gm bag of BioGuard Burnout Extreme (to treat a 50,000 litre pool with a sand filter). If a double dose is required (remember the BioGuard Colour Test), then two bags will be needed.

Step 4. Add an Algaecide – for a standard shock dose, shake, premix and add a 1L of BioGuard Algi Destroyer (to treat a 50,000 litre pool). If a double dose is required (remember the BioGuard Colour Test), then two litres will be needed.

Step 5. Remove the dead algae – don’t be surprised if you now have cloudy water. When algae dies it becomes somewhat of a grey colour and if you have enough dead algae in the pool, your pool water will go cloudy. Vacuum to waste if you have a sediment on the pool floor. If not, add BioGuard’s Pool Tonic with a BioGuard Super Clear Clarifying Tab to treat a 50,000 litre pool. Not only will Pool Tonic remove the dead algae, it will also remove at least 10 other unwanted contaminants resulting in stress free crystal clear water.

Get ready for an arm workout – to improve chemical efficiency of your products, remember to regularly brush your pool during the treatment (walls and floors - you should not have your automatic cleaner in the pool during a treatment).

Depending on the state of your filtration equipment and the length of time you have had a green pool, an additional treatment may be needed. If you do not see a change in the appearance of your water during the treatment, be sure to contact your Pool Store within 24 hours.

Fix a green pool without costing a fortune

Our Green Pool Kit has everything you could need to boost your chlorine, kill the algae bloom and remove the algae food from your pool water. Our team at Dandenong and Warrandyte Pool Stores will customise the How to Guide to suit your pool size and algae colour (including application and ideal filtration times). Buy a Green Pool Kit today!

Do you have a green pool? Fix your green pool with a Green Pool Kit!

Dirty Rain Pool Treatment

Posted By Peita Otterbachon January 23, 2020

If your pool looks anything like our display pools today, simply hitting the pool hard with chlorine and a clarifier will not do the trick! And your robotic pool cleaner certainly won't help either. Trust us, we tried doing this back in 2017 when we had a similar thing happen and we ended up battling cloudy and even green pools for the remainder of the season.

In our experience, the quickest and most cost effective way to treat your pool is to use a flocculating product such as BioGuard Power Floc Maxi.

How to treat my dirty rain-filled pool?

Preparation is key

Clean out your skimmer basket and pump basket (if needed).
Scoop all debris from the pool (if you can’t see the bottom of the pool, scoop carefully as objects may have washed into the pool water). The water has probably brought in leaves and other debris from the surrounding areas. They will add large amounts of organic matter to the water, which will consume chlorine and could lead to an algae bloom. The sooner debris is removed from the pool; the sooner clean-up can begin.
Remove robotic/automatic pool cleaner from the pool and remove pool cover completely.
Hose the dirty residue (from the rain) from the pool surrounds. If you receive more rain (hopefully it is clean), this rain may wash the dirty residue into the pool (you’d hate for this to happen after the pool has returned back to normal).
Turn off your Heating System.
If you cannot see the bottom of the shallow end of your pool, the dust/dirt from the rain will not filter out. Chlorine, clarrifiers and the robotic pool cleaner will not be effective. In our experience, the most timely and cost effective approach is to use a flocculating product, vacuum the sediment and rebalance as soon as possible.

Let's floc the dust away!

Download our printer friendly version HERE.

Step 1.

Sand Filter:
- Turn your filter to Recirculate and turn the system on.
Cartridge Filter:
- Remove the cartridge element from the Cartridge Filter and turn the system on.

Step 2.

Start by testing your pH - if it is 7.6ppm or above, proceed to the next step.
If the pH is 7.5ppm or lower, the following treatment is more effective with a high pH and we therefore recommend adding BioGuard Balance Pak 200 to the pool and filter for 2 hours.

Step 3.

Pour 1L of BioGuard Power Floc Maxi (per 50,000L) into the skimmer (or pool) and leave the system on for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, turn all equipment off for 12-24 hours or until you can see the floor of the pool (it could take up to 48 hours).
Please keep in mind the product works from the pool floor upwards - it will become brown milky water before it improves.
If BioGuard Power Floc Maxi is not available: BioGuard Polysheen Plus can be used in its place (using the same dosage listed above) however instead of running the system for 2 hours, 30 minutes is sufficient.

Note: Unplug the power cord for your pool pump from your controller. The system must remain off and cannot turn on automatically during the treatment.

Step 4.

Do not add the robotic pool cleaner into the pool. A robotic pool cleaner (or a suction cleaner) will simply undo the flocculating process and will only return the water back to its orignal dirty state.
To manually vacuum a pool (sand filter: to waste) you will need a telescopic pole, a vacuum head, a manual vacuum hose and a vacuum plate.
Sand Filter:
- Vac-to-waste the dirt formed at the base of the pool.
- This is vacuuming as normal however, instead of your sand filter turned to Filter, turn it to Waste.
Cartridge Filter:
- Place your cartrdige element (ensure it is clean beforehand) back into you Cartridge Filter.
- Place a Skimmer Sock in the skimmer basket (which will collect as much sediment as possible), vac as normal, remove Skimmer Sock after vacuuming pool (clean as required) and hose cartridge element thoroughly (you may like to chemically clean depending on the state of the Cartridge filter).

Step 5.

Top up water level and filter for four hours before a water sample is taken. Visit your local Albatross Pool Shop to test and rebalance the pool water.
Rebalancing is crucial as your pool water is now very prone to an algae bloom, especially with the weather we are experiencing.

Download our printer friendly version HERE.

We are here to help!

Open 7 days a week (except for public holidays), our team will be able to walk you through this process and answer any questions you may have. Pool Shop contact details.

What To Plant Around A Swimming Pool

Posted By Peita Otterbachon December 20, 2019

Now that your sparkling new swimming pool is fully installed, your next priority is a natural one: swimming pool landscaping. You definitely want to make an effort to help your pool blend into its surroundings, allowing it to become a pivotal part of a much larger whole. A lot of success in this area will come down to what you choose to plant around your swimming pool. You'll want plants that will thrive and maybe even offer you some shade on those hot summer days of the year, while also being low maintenance. When it comes to this particular goal, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

Planting Around a Swimming Pool: Tips and Tricks

The team at Albatross Pools are experts at designing & building innovative swimming pools. We are not landscape designers. That being said, our founder way back in 1969 was a keen gardener, and his backyard show garden was impressive enough to have featured on Burke’s Backyard. Since then we have garnered a wealth of experience when it comes to plant knowledge and often offer our experience in guiding clients in the right direction. Our two pool display centres (which happen to be Australia’s oldest) are fully landscaped, and we have learnt from experience what works, and doesn’t work, with regards to pool landscaping over the years.

Our preferred landscape designer, Anthony Scott from Anthony Scott Landscape Design, offers this advice:

"Creating the perfect poolscape is all about finding the balance between functional space, the right furniture and of course plant life."

Pool Friendly Plants

According to the Swimming Pool and Spa Association, a plant must have a few key characteristics if it can be officially classified as "pool friendly." They should be able to thrive in an environment where wind and salt exposure are expected, for example. They should also be capable of thriving in either a semi-shaded area or a full sun area, the specifics of which will obviously vary depending on your environment.

They should also be highly tolerant to exposure to chlorine and other pool chemicals, which is particularly common in the area immediately surrounding your pool. Because of this, options like pineapple sage, peach leaved bellflower, swamp daisy and Ajuga are the way to go.

Shrubs can also make a great addition to your swimming pool landscaping, with options like Siberian Iris, Mexican Orange Blossom and Mexican Mock Orange being popular selections all across the country.

These are certainly not your only options, however. A few of the other types of plants that you can include in your swimming pool landscaping include but are not limited to ones like:

Bull Banksia
Blueberry Ash
Native Fuchsia
Holly Leaved Grevillea
Waxflower
Australe Storksbill
Himalayan Dogwood
Prostrate Grevillea

Pool friendly plants share common characteristics such as low maintenance, little or no pruning, and high drought tolerance. If you have a salt chlorinated pool they need to be salt tolerant in case of water splashing. Depending on the location of the pool, you plant choice may be dictated by the environment in terms of privacy, wind factor, or ground coverage.

For screening: If privacy is a concern, consider the following to create a natural, low maintenance screen that will mature over the years. Laurus nobilus-Bay Laurel, Olea Europa- Olive tree and Banksia marginata- Coastal Banksia.

For mid-level planting: Consider Gardenia species, Westringea fruiticosa-Coastal rosemary, Rosemarinus officianalis-Rosemary, Cycas revoluta-Cycad and Philodendron 'Xanadu'.

For ground cover: Consider Trachylospermum asiaticum-Star jasmine, Ophiopogon japonicus-Mondo grass, Dichondra 'Silver Falls'-Silver dichondra, Senecio serpens-Blue chalk sticks and Nepeta species-Catmint.

Plants to avoid around your swimming pool

No matter whether it is a plunge pool or a lap pool, an Albatross swimming pool requires little maintenance. Unless you require maintenance in your life, it is recommended you avoid plants that shed regularly. Deciduous plants are still okay, as they only require one large clean up session per year, whereas evergreens will require year round maintenance. The key to planting success is to select plants that don’t require regular pruning, or those that don’t shed berries or needles. You'll also want to avoid anything that will drop leaf litter onto your pool or the surrounding area, meaning that anything that hangs overhead just won't do.

Along the same lines, there are a number of plants that you'll want to avoid as they have a potential to damage your pool surrounds via their root systems. Bamboo is one of these species, according to the Swimming Pool and Spa Association. Umbrella trees and rubber trees should also be on your "under no circumstances" list, as they very commonly cause problems with pools in particular due to things like underground plumbing and paving.

Your new Albatross swimming pool should be an inviting, family friendly environment; therefore it is unwise to plant anything spiky. These plants are often spiky as a natural defense meaning you will need to keep your distance. Pool users won’t appreciate dodging spikes on their way to the water and likewise it will make pool maintenance that much harder for yourself.

The function of the pool will dictate what can and can’t be planted with a view to maintenance and user friendliness. The above list of plants is a comprehensive, but by no means exhaustive, list of plants that experience has shown us are good or bad options to use in your pool landscaping. Consultation with a professional pool designer or landscaper will ensure the creation of an accurate planting design suitable for your individual pool project.

If you're looking for the best pool builders in Melbourne, you've come to the right place. Contact Albatross Pools today for more information about swimming pool installation, swimming pool landscaping and so much more.

How Long Does it Take to Build a Pool?

Posted By Peita Otterbachon November 29, 2017

Interested in having a swimming pool built on your property? If so, then you may be wondering how long it will be before you can begin enjoying your new pool. This can vary greatly depending not only on the builder you choose, but the pool type and other factors as well. Still, if you want to get a general idea of what to expect from your pool building project, there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind.

Choose Wisely

A pool represents a large financial investment and will be a part of your family for many years, therefore it’s imperative that you take the time to research every aspect of your chosen builder and design before you commit. Visit the display centres (if they have one – it can be a warning sign if they don’t!) of your preferred companies and ask about their history. Next, arrange for up to three preferred pool builders to visit your property to conduct an obligation free site inspection. After carefully considering all quotations and your feelings on which pool builder suits your needs, select your pool builder. At this stage you will sit with your builder to custom design your individual pool along with preferred options and features such as lighting, sanitation, interior colour, pool heating, and pool cover if required.

Obtaining a Pool Building Permit

The next step of the process is to review and sign the SPASA swimming pool project contract and pay the deposit before submitting an application for a pool building permit. This will be handled by your builder, and will involve submission to the surveyor for approval. In some cases, engineering drawings will also need to be created and attached to the application.

In most cases, pool building permit applications are processed within two to four weeks. Sometimes, additional information or permits may be needed, so this can create more delays. Either way, your builder will keep you informed and will send you a copy of the building permit when it is obtained.

Deciding on a Start Date

Next, it's time to work out an official start date with your pool builder. This timeframe is generally anywhere between four to six weeks after approvals, such as pool building permits, are received, as there are a number of additional steps that need to be completed before ground can be broken. This includes:

securing a licensed electrician to run wiring for any pool lighting
finding a licensed plumber to connect sewage lines, filters, and other mechanics
hiring a landscaper and pool fencer, if needed
obtaining an Asset Protection Permit

Completion Times by Pool Type

The time between when ground is broken and when your pool is complete can vary greatly based on the specific type of pool you select. For example, pre-engineered swimming pools and fiberglass pools tend to be among the fastest to install, with average times ranging between five to seven days. A concrete in-ground pool will take quite a bit longer, with averages ranging between three to four months.

Pre-engineered Swimming Pools	Concrete Swimming Pools	Fibreglass Swimming Pools
Custom fabricated pool panels are installed (typically no longer than a day)	Pool structure is formed (steel reinforcing cage) Depending on the size of the pool and degree of complexity this stage may take 1-5 days.	The base is set (100% accuracy is critical)
Concrete floor and backfill is poured (typically no longer than a day)	Pool structure is internally plumbed prior to concrete placement 1-2 days depending on the site and complexity.	Truck delivers the pool shell and a crane lifts it off the back of the truck and cranes it over the property (if necessary) and is lowered into the pool hole. With the latest spa crane accident in Altona possible regulation changes may impact the acceptable weather conditions a crane can be used - this may delay the project. Pool shell is levelled and pool shell is backfilled. Simultaneously, the fibreglass shell will be filled with pool water. The temporary pool fencing is installed simultaneously as the pool is being filled. Building surveyor inspects the temporary fence prior to the pool shell being filled. This temporary fence will need to be inspected every 30 days until the permanent pool fence is installed. Fiberglass pool shell is plumbed. Concrete beam also known as a ring beam is installed to hold the pool shell down and in place. Depending on the design of the fiberglass pool shell, this beam (when in steel form prior to the concrete being poured) will be inspected by a Building Surveyor. This will take 1-3 days.
Pool is plumbed (typically less than a day)	Pool structure (steel) is inspected by the appropriate building surveyor.	Landscaper then builds/installs pool surrounds (time will be dependent on size of area, complexity of project and weather)
Pool surrounds are backfilled (typically less than a day)	Concrete shell is sprayed. (typically a day)	Pool Fencer removes temporary fencing and installs the pool barrier (time will be dependent on size of area and complexity)
Landscaper then builds/installs pool surrounds (time will be dependent on size of area, complexity of project and weather)	Concrete Cures A minimum of 28 days is required.	Building Surveyor Inspects Pool Barrier
Pool Fencer installs the pool barrier (time will be dependent on size of area and complexity)	Landscaper then builds/installs pool surrounds (time will be dependent on size of area, complexity of project and weather)	Pool is Handed Over (couple of hours)
Surveyor Inspects Pool Barrier	Pool interior installed Depending on interior chosen and the pool size, this could take from a day to weeks if not longer for a fully tilled pool.	Family is swimming
Pool Shell is prepared and PVC Membrane is vacuumed sealed in and pool is filled (typically a day)	Pool Fencer installs the pool barrier (time will be dependent on size of area and complexity)
Pool is Handed Over (couple of hours)	Surveyor Inspects Pool Barrier
Family is swimming!	Concrete Pool Shell is filled with water
	Pool is Handed Over (couple of hours)
	Family is swimming!
TOTAL 5-7 days Excluding landscaping and fencing - this can add 2-4 weeks to a project.	TOTAL 3-4 months	TOTAL 5-7 days Excluding landscaping and fencing - this can add 2-4 weeks to a project.

Other Important Factors

Of course, some factors may be out of your builder's control when it comes to installing a pool, and may add more time to your project timeline. Weather is perhaps the biggest cause of pool construction delays, as clear weather is generally required for most of the installation work (this is especially true for concrete-poured pools). Another potential hold-up with your pool construction could be a lack of timely payment on your behalf; be sure to keep an eye on the payment schedule featured in your contract. Making payments on-time will help to prevent any delays in your pool construction.

Finally, Council Requirements can also create roadblocks in pool construction. Fortunately, if you have a knowledgeable and experienced builder, these kinds of issues can usually be avoided.

As you can see, the amount of time it takes to build a pool can vary greatly, and there are many steps involved in the process. Albatross Pools specialises in efficient and timely construction of in-ground pools for your home, and our Aqualux PVC membrane pool is satin smooth and extremely kid-friendly! Contact us today to find out more about how we can turn your dreams of pool ownership into reality!

Albatross Pools: Kid-Friendly Interiors

Posted By albatross-adminon October 16, 2017

It's time to dispel the myth that vinyl pool interiors are only for above-ground pools. In reality, vinyl interiors have become increasingly popular not only in residential pool construction, but in building some of the largest resort pools in the world. If you've been looking to build a swimming pool on your property and are struggling to decide on the right family friendly interior surface for your needs, consider an Aqualux PVC membrane for long-lasting durability and unrivalled smoothness.

Kid-Friendly Pool Surfaces

If you have children, one of your main concerns around having a pool built on your property is safety. With "traditional" in-ground pool interiors, it is not uncommon for the surface to be quite rough, especially on children's sensitive skin. Even the highest quality traditional pool interiors of concrete, tile and various sized pebbles can create uneven surfaces that are damaging to even tough adult skin. Kids are balls of energy in a pool, constantly jumping, flipping and dragging along the poolside; the slightest deviation in the pool interior’s surface will cause cuts and abrasions.

With our Aqualux PVC membrane interior, however, parents don't need to worry about cuts and scrapes caused by the roughness of a traditional pool interior because this surface is satin-smooth and kid-friendly. We have taken into consideration how soft, sensitive, and prone to water-logging a child's skin can be, which is why our vinyl pool surface is designed to be free of rough edges and abrasions. At the same time, the surface remains slip-resistant, so you can let your children enjoy the pool with confidence.

When you feel this unique pool interior for yourself, we're confident that you'll understand just how much more practical it is than the other pool surface options out there.

Additional Benefits of Our PVC Membrane

In addition to being kid-friendly, our Aqualux PVC membrane affords a number of other benefits over traditional pool surfaces. Consider, for example, that our flexible pool surface is able to expand and contract to accommodate the ever-changing climate here in Australia. With your typical concrete pool surface, you would inevitably see cracking and hairline fractures over time (much as your home shows small signs of settling over the years). However, with the flexible vinyl material of our pool interiors, the flexibility prevents cracking and keeps your pool looking like new while also keeping it water-tight. This in-built toughness also ensures your Aqualux pool interior is virtually untearable, being able to stretch over 200% before breaking.

Meanwhile, vinyl doesn't interfere with the chemical balance of your pool water like other materials can. For example, did you know that pebbles, concrete, and even tile designed specifically for use in pools can affect your chemical balance? And when you own a pool, maintaining that healthy balance is a key factor. By choosing an Aqualux PVC membrane pool, you'll have an easier time keeping your water balanced just right, which means you can spend more time actually enjoying your pool and less time adding chemicals and testing your water.

Overall, vinyl pool interiors are not just a practical option, but they're a great choice for families with children. By not having to worry about your child's feet getting scraped or scratched on a rough pool surface, you can spend more hours enjoying your new swimming pool in comfort and confidence. Ready to find out more about our pool design options? Contact our team at Albatross Pools today to get started on your dream pool project!

What Makes The Aqualux PVC Membrane a Superior Pool Interior?

Posted By Peita Otterbachon July 10, 2015

Well there are many things actually. But first, let’s look at the back story. Aqualux pool interiors are proving to be incredibly popular here and overseas. When you take a close look at the actual membrane, it’s constructed from 0.75mm virgin vinyl. In Australia, it’s such a popular choice that’s it’s estimated that over 20,000 plus inground pools have an Aqualux pool interior, and it’s the only choice for a high-quality Albatross Pool. Take a look overseas and you’ll see it clearly in focus when you see it in the creation of the biggest pool in the world, the Crystal Lagoon at San Alfonso del Mar resort in Chile which features an Aqualux PVC membrane in a billion dollar construction. Roll back one year, and you’ll discover that a number of amazing pools with vinyl pool interiors made it into Vogue Living Australia’s Top 16 Luxury Hotel pools.

Crystal Lagoon

There are a number of great benefits about an Aqualux pool interior. Firstly, it’s a satin smooth non-slip interior. It means that it will not snag swim wear of graze soft skin like other pool interiors. It’s absolutely ideal for babies children and the elderly. With an Aqualux pool interior, there’s virtually no routine maintenance. It’s also a non reactive pool interior that has no effect on water balance and doesn’t need all that labour intensive stuff of being brushed daily for the first four weeks like some other pool interiors.

An Aqualux pool interior is extremely tough and is of a non–porous material. That means that it won’t chip, peel, crack, separate, leech chemicals or blister. And because of UV inhibitors, it works as an anti bacterial agent making it naturally immune to black spot algae, unlike some other pool interiors. Aqualux pool interiors are incredibly strong. They can stretch over 200% before breaking compared to other pool interiors that can only stretch to 4% before breaking.

When it comes to durability and thickness, an Aqualux pool interior is a real winner; it’s equivalent to 15 plus layers of pool paint! And unlike some other pool interiors, it doesn’t present colour consistency challenges. Talking of colours there’s a terrific range to choose from. It’s available in 13 plus colours. An Aqalux pool interior has one the best warranties on offer. And it’s not 2 years, or 5 to 8. It’s a 10 year warranty. You simply can’t beat that for a guarantee.

If you want to know more about the Aqualux PVC membrane story, all you have to do is talk to a member of the Albatross Pool team. They’ll point out all the benefits and tell you why it’s the perfect interior for any pool.

Have You Taken A Look At Our Warranty?

Posted By Peita Otterbachon October 21, 2014

When completing your due diligence in the planning stage of your new swimming pool you should enquire about the warranty conditions attached to your potential new investment. Many perspective pool clients are happy to hear the warranty numbers that are banded about by many pool companies, “Ten years! Twenty years! One hundred years!” From here many clients smile, happy in the knowledge that the figure they’ve heard is satisfactory, and move on to the design phase. But wait! A swimming pool is a major investment, with a high-end pool costing the same as a family car, so why would you be happy to hear a salesman’s warranty figure and not investigate what that figure includes?

A long warranty is a double-edged sword. More often than not, as is with the case at Albatross Pools, it is a sign of confidence in our manufacturing and construction methods. But a fantastic warranty period on paper isn’t worth the ink it is written with if the installer isn’t around to honour it. At Albatross Pools we have been a family run business since 1969 and have proudly constructed over 15,000 pools. Over 70% of our work is through referrals, which means we’ve learned a thing or two about our clients’ needs and delivering quality products. Albatross Pools have stood the test of time and you can be rest assured a warranty issued today will be honoured long into the future.

Pool Warranty

The Albatross Advantage

At Albatross we’re serious about pools. As a founding member of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA) of Victoria we strive to maintain and improve the quality of our pools every time we build. We are a Registered Building Practitioner and therefore our knowledge and experience is backed by domestic building insurance. Each of our pools is constructed from the highest grade of zinc enriched steel that is pre-engineered to eliminate the risk of product and site variances. This assurance of quality is the reason we proudly offer a ten year structural warranty on all our swimming pools, longer than the legal requirement that is normally offered by concrete pool builders. A fibreglass pool, while traditionally robust, can conjure up a nightmare of a problem when the need arises for repairs. Fibreglass pools need to be drained before they can be repaired and draining a fibreglass pool can result in severe damage if done incorrectly. A fibreglass pool warranty is often a split warranty; that is half being covered by the manufacturer, and half by the installer. Twice the potential headaches when making a claim! At Albatross we prefer to streamline our processes to make your pool purchase stress free. Therefore we offer the one warranty as manufacturer and installer. All of our plumbing and pipework is covered by a two year warranty against faulty workmanship, and supplementary items such as pumps, filters, covers and sanitisers are covered by their applicable manufacturer’s warranties. Concrete pools are not covered by a manufacturer’s warranty as they are built, and therefore you would be reliant on an experienced, trustworthy builder to honour any such warranty claim.

At Albatross we finish all of our pools in the Aqualux membrane. This extremely tough membrane is the equivalent to fifteen layers of pool paint and can stretch over 200% before breaking as opposed to competitor’s linings that can only stretch 4% on average. Once the waterproof membrane is vacuum sealed into the pool shell it results in a satin-smooth finish that won’t graze skin or crack, peel and flake. The Aqualux interior is resistant to algae and will not affect your water chemistry like some fibreglass or rendered pool interiors. We offer an outstanding ten year warranty on the Aqualux pool interior which is superior to most other assumed ‘permanent’ interiors such as tiled (usually offered with a 2 year warranty) or rendered (which comes with a 5-8 year warranty depending on brand). The Aqualux pool interior is the only interior specifically engineered as an actual ‘pool interior’ – fibreglass and concrete pool interiors are not and are simply modified versions of various surfaces available in the marketplace.

We also offer a 7 day customer service solution for all new pool owners. Just pop into one of our display centres to receive anything from free advice from our knowledgeable staff to complimentary water testing. We even have mobile workshops that can come to you!

Dive In With Confidence

So kick-start your dream swimming pool with the confidence that only a trusted brand like Albatross can offer. With cutting-edge, cost-effective manufacturing and construction processes that deliver outstanding results in both quality and longevity backed by industry leading warranties from a family pool company that has been around for over 40 years, Albatross is a name you can truly trust.

So if you’re ready to take the plunge on your new pool project, why not visit one of our display centres today, or contact us for an obligation free consultation.

Prepping Your Pool For Winter

Posted By Peita Otterbachon July 17, 2014

With the air cooling down and the weeks marching on, it’s time to think about how to prepare your pool for winter. Some people heat their pool and continue to use it during most of the cooler months, while others cover it up and put it into hibernation. Whichever you’re planning to do, there are a few things that you should do before the temperature gets too low. If you are a new pool owner and haven’t already developed a seasonal routine, then this will help get you started.

Pool Cover

Cleaning is Always a Good Idea

Whether or not you plan to keep using the pool, a good autumn cleaning is a must. Throughly scrub the interior of the pool, then vacuum. Clear the lint basket attached to the pump and the skimmer baskets, as well. Finally, clean the filter. If you’re shutting the pool down for the winter, then clean it just before covering it. Please keep in mind, we do not recommend turning off the pump and filter over winter - it is designed to run everyday and if doesn't the pump's motor can cease and come Spring, you will need a new pool pump.

For Winter Pool Users

If you have a good system in place for heating your pool and you don’t mind a chill in the air, then you may be planning to use your pool on all but the coldest days of winter. If the pool is how you stay fit, then chances are, you are willing to brave the cold air in order to get your daily laps in.

First the good news: if the water is cool, there’s less risk of algae and contamination and you will need less chlorine. The government recommends a minimum chlorine level of 2.0mg/L for water that’s cooler than 26°C and a minimum level of 3.0mg/L for water that’s warmer than 26°C. However, you will still have to keep close tabs on the pH; make sure it’s between 7.4 and 7.6. Corrosion is more likely to occur at lower temperatures, so you must keep the alkalinity level and pH within bounds during the winter.

Even if you’re still using the pool this winter, you’re likely to use it less than you do in the summer. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it can be cleaned less often. You should continue to clean the pool regularly, keeping it free of leaves and debris, and run the filter for at least four hours a day. It’s also a good idea to keep the pool covered with an insulating pool blanket when it is not in use. That will keep some of the heat in and some of the debris out.

For Winter Shut-Down

If you plan to close the pool during the cooler months, then clean it and then cover it, but don’t forget about it.

Before covering up the pool, adjust the chemicals. Make sure that the alkalinity is between 100 and 150 parts per million and that the water hardness — the calcium — is at 200 to 300 parts per million. Next, add a large dose of chlorine to ‘shock’ the pool and kill off anything that might want to grow in it over the winter (BioGuard's Burnout Extreme is a great 'shock' product). If you’re purchasing a prepared formula, then choose a shock product that’s strong enough to require a temporary shut down. After all, you were planning to stop using the pool, anyway. Then, wait for the chlorine level to return to one to three parts per million.

You can't turn off the pump and filter during the winter, if you do you can damage your pool pump, your filter sand among other things. Just 2-4 hours per day in winter is all it takes and it is a great idea to use an algaecide to prevent a green pool. Continue to clean the pool occasionally, too, especially if it is at all exposed to the elements. Be sure to remove all the equipment and ladders before covering the pool for the winter, too.

The onset of winter temperatures require a little more attention to the pool than usual. If you properly prepare your pool for winter, then it will be much faster and easier to bring it back up to full speed in the spring.

How to choose a pool builder and compare pools?

Posted By Peita Otterbachon March 27, 2014

Want to know how to choose a pool builder?

Do you have three swimming pool quotes but have no idea what to base your final decision on? A swimming pool is one of the smartest investments you can make; yet it is also one of the most difficult products to understand and compare.

It is not uncommon for potential pool owners to become overwhelmed with information as they try to understand their options and pricing when researching pools. Unfortunately, some even choose not to get a pool as the decision becomes just too hard.

Whether your reasons for wanting a pool are driven by property investment, health benefits or enhancing your family’s lifestyle, I have found emotion often plays a large part in the decision making process. Similar to a house extension, you cannot return a swimming pool nor can you take it back for a refund. For this reason, it is important the final decision be made largely based on facts more so than emotion.

So you now have three pool quotes, what next? Apart from the pool price (which is important), how do you compare each pool quote? My advice, investigate each pool type quoted (is it a pre-engineered, concrete or fibreglass pool) and also look into the corresponding pool builder’s reputation.

How to compare swimming pool types?

You may choose to base your comparison on the overall aesthetics of a pool and although the look of the pool is definitely important, there is other key criterion worth consideration. The pool warranty, maintenance and after sales support offered once the swimming pool is complete should also be high on your list. The Pool Comparison Table below touches on a number of points worth consideration when comparing pool types and pool quotes.

Pool Comparison Criteria	Pre-engineered Swimming Pools	Concrete Swimming Pools	Fibreglass Swimming Pools
Design
Design Flexibility - Any Pool Shape - Any Pool Size	Yes	Yes	No – must choose from predefined shapes and sizes
Choice of Depths - Diving Floor Profile	Yes	Yes	No – depths are fixed in a fibreglass pool and the depths quoted are usually shell depth not water depth
Choice of Colours	Yes	Yes	Yes
Custom Bench & Step Design	Yes – pre-engineered pools feature a unique gently padded underlay creating a cushioned effect	Yes	No
Pool Structure
Self Supporting	Yes *The pool can be emptied without voiding the structural warranty.	No	No
Ideally suited to volatile soil types - pool structure won’t crack, warp or lift	Yes	No	No
Can be built on a slope	Yes	Yes	No
Transport Costs and Crane Required (can add between $1,500-$3,000 to the pool price)	No	No	Yes
Ideal for Poor Access	Yes	Yes	No
Pool Interior
Non-Slip Pool Interior	Yes	Yes *Pool Tiles are the exception	Depends on the brand of the fibreglass pool
Smooth to Touch/Non-Abrasive Pool Interior	Yes	Depends on pool interior chosen	Yes
Resistant to Algae	Yes *Inbuilt fungicide	No *All pool interior options for a concrete pool are porous and are prone to algae and bacteria growth	Yes *Can get ‘black-spot’ or Osmosis under the Gel Coat
Low Maintenance Pool Interior	Yes – in fact Aqualux requires no cleaning at all	No *All pool interior options on a concrete pool are porous and therefore require more maintenance	Yes
Pool Installation
Who Installs the Pool – Manufacturer or Franchisee	Manufacturer	Not Applicable	Franchisee
Construction Time Frame	5-10 days	6 week minimum (average 3-4 months)	2-3 days
Quality Controlled	Yes	No	Yes
After Sales Support Pool Shops/Bricks and Mortar Locations	Yes – Open seven days a week year round	Depends on pool builder	Depends on franchisee
Pool Warranty
Pool Structural Warranty	10 years	6 years and 9 months	Depends on the brand of fibreglass pool *Some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty – what a lifetime warranty actually means is worth investigating as well as what voids such a warranty i.e. the water level drops by 30%.
Pool Warranty Entity - Name of entity which provides pool warranty	Pool Manufacturer	Pool Builder	Split Responsibility – Pool Installer and Pool Manufacturer
Split Responsibility Warranty on Pool Structure	No	No	Yes *What is a split responsibility warranty on a fibreglass pool?
Pool Interior Warranty	10 years	Depends on the pool interior chosen For Example: Pool Tiles – 2 years Render 2-8 years depending on the brand	Depends on the brand of the fibreglass pool

How to choose a pool builder?

Now that you know how to compare swimming pool types, the next and final step when comparing quotes is to examine each pool builder’s reputation and history.

There are some pool builders not prepared to make the long-term investment in the industry and to their clients and choose to operate from home. Contactable on mobile only and with no office or display centre, it is very easy for these types of pool builders to vanish in difficult economic times leaving their clients with no support and more importantly, no warranty.

There will always be plenty of bargain-basement operators, there will be pool builders laying claim to being the biggest and the best, and there will be those who use gimmicks or 24-hour super specials to make the sale.

The real test lies in how long the pool builder has been in business and what their clients have to say about them and their product. When deciding on a pool builder, be sure to do your homework and look into:

1. The Pool Builder’s Reputation – talk to family, friends and colleagues who have a pool, seek out referrals, testimonials and recommendations. Review websites and forums are also another platform to gain insight into a pool builder’s reputation.

2. The Pool Builder’s Creditability

- Are they a member of SPASA and the Building Commission of Victoria

- Do they have a physical work address, website and landline or do they work from home

- Are they a registered licensed builder

- Do they have the appropriate insurance and liability cover

- What experience do they have, how many years have they been in business and how many pools have they built (both in total and annually)

- Can you see samples of their work i.e. display centres

3. The Pool Builder’s Custom Ability

Can the pool builder custom design and tailor your swimming pool to achieve what you want instead of what they want to sell you?

4. The Pool Builder’s Pricing

As with most things, quality comes with creditability and price. If the pricing quoted is too good to be true, then it probably is. If you are comparing two or three quotes, be sure to compare like-for-like (the same size, shape, optional items etc) – there will certainly be large differences in price if each quote is for a different pool size.

Armed with an understanding of different types of pools available and each pool builder’s reputation, you can now make an informed and final decision. Be comfortable with this decision and enjoy the exciting times ahead relaxing by your soon-to-be-built swimming pool.

If you haven’t received an obligation free swimming pool quote from Albatross Pools, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you before you make a final decision.

Thinking about buying a pool but don’t know where to start?

Posted By Peita Otterbachon March 27, 2013

Buying a swimming pool is one of the smartest moves you can make but it can also be one of the most confusing products to understand. Concrete pool, fibreglass pool or a pre-engineered pool? Chlorine pool, salt-water pool or fresh water pool? Solar pool heating or gas pool heating? Standard pool pump or energy efficient variable speed pump? So many options to choose from. Continue reading "Thinking about buying a pool but don’t know where to start?" →