Your Terra Tank comes together in two parts: the physical setup you do yourself in an afternoon, and three quick compliance steps that every pool in Australia needs before you swim.
Yes, your pool needs council approval. According to Australian regulation, any type of pool that can hold more than 30cm of water needs council approval (even the plastic kiddie pools you get at the store).
Here's what you need.
The physical setup (3 to 4 hours) - See our How To Installation YouTube video at the bottom of this page for reference.
Most DIY customers have the build done in 3 to 4 hours total.
Here's the order of operations:
1. Prep your site (1 to 2 hours)
Pick a level spot with around 1m clearance behind the tank for the pump and filter. Build a compacted pad: crushed rock or blue metal works perfectly, and concrete or pavers are also fine. You'll need access to a drain and a weatherproof outdoor 240V power outlet within reach. Before first use, a licensed electrician also needs to earth (bond) the steel shell, so it helps to position the tank with your switchboard in mind. More on that below.
2. Position the tank (15 minutes, 2 to 3 people)
Lift the tank onto the pad with the pre-drilled holes facing the back. The two bottom holes (60cm apart) are your strainers. Australia requires both, and we drill them for you. The third hole is your outlet.
3. Fit the strainers, outlet and plumbing (about 1 hour)
Run a bead of silicone, fit the rubber gasket, and hand-tighten the strainers and outlet from inside the tank. Hand-tight is enough to seal without cracking the fittings. Lock each plunge valve into position. Connect the included hoses with the T-splitter, then run the long hose from the outlet to the pump.
4. Fill the tank (2 to 3 hours, hands-off.)
Start filling with a garden hose while you finish the pump setup. Please note, you can't fill your pool with water before council approval
5. Set up the pump and filter (about 30 minutes)
Position the pump on a stable surface behind the tank, where you have drainage access for cleaning. Add 20kg of silica sand (any pool shop) up to the marker on the inner tube. Connect the inlet and outlet hoses.
6. Prime and run (15 minutes)
Once the water level is above the strainers, unlock the plunge valves to let water flow. Run the filter on Backwash for 1 minute, then Rinse for 1 minute, then switch to Filter mode. Walk around and check for leaks. If you find one, turn off, tighten the fitting, and you're set.
Before your first swim (required in every state)
A tank pool is treated as a swimming pool under state law, so three things need to be sorted before the pool is filled with water.
1. Council approval or registration. Your order includes the engineering certificate, which is needed for council approval. The process varies by state: a building permit in WA, a Complying Development Certificate or DA in NSW, registration in VIC, a pool safety certificate in QLD. Confirm with your local council.
2. A compliant safety fence (AS 1926.1-2012). Required for any pool that holds more than 300mm of water. We're happy to recommend pool fencers, or our Turnkey Install includes fencing.
3. Earthing by a licensed electrician. Australian wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000) require the steel shell to be bonded to your home's earth before use. It's a 1 to 2 hour job, and your electrician issues the certificate your state needs.
Prefer to skip all of this? Our Turnkey Install package handles council, fencing and setup for you.
We include a step-by-step install video. Phone support is included if you get stuck on 0424661542.