³Helping you create your own natural beauty²
Water Quality |
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BioHavens remove harmful
pollutants from a waterway using natural microbial processes.
The applications for this technology are many. Sewage
effluent and stormwater ponds. The effective use of
constructed wetlands for cleansing water of common pollutants is
very well documented. BioHaven floating islands take this method
to a new degree of sophistication by introducing a concentrated
wetland effect: for every 250 sq ft Biohaven, we introduce ONE
ACRE of actual wetland surface area to support beneficial
microbial activity - without tying up valuable real-estate.
Floating Islands have the potential to generate bio-gas, which would be a nice way to reap an additional pecuniary benefit from your island. Keep an eye open for this future development... Rivers, Lakes, Streams Floating islands can be moored in rivers, either anchored to the bottom or attached to the bank. They can be stretched right across the river, allowing fish free access underneath. They provide beneficial shade, which inhibits the growth of algae and cools the water for fish habitation. Golf Courses  Golf
course ponds can be very polluted due to the run-off of
fertilizers used to keep the greens lush. A pond full of algae
with a smell to match is not very attractive! BioHaven floating
islands can reduce the algae and make the pond look great -
perhaps with a Living Walkway which can also serve a practical
purpose. Zoo ponds  When
we installed a floating island in Zoo Montana's River Otter
enclosure, there were big smiles all round. The water went from
murky purple to clear in just 24 hrs. The Otters were introduced
to real vegetation for the first time in their eight years of
life. They love their island! The zoo patrons were able to see
them climbing on it, feeding on it, swimming up (and down)
through the inbuilt pools and generally having a fun time. Other Applications Farm Effluent Ponds Winery Wastewater Fish Farm run-off |
Effluent Pond Treatment |
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Many water professionals are doubtful whether point source polluters in Montana will be able to comply with the new Clean Water standards when they are introduced by 2012 BioHaven floating islands can treat organic carbon and suspended solids better than traditional methods - and for a fraction of the cost. Conventional technology can get the job done, but only at a very high cost. Estimates, generated by consultants, are that Montana municipalities would have to spend between $800,000,000.00 to one billion dollars to achieve compliance over the next seven to ten years, relying on existing technology. However, floating islands are a viable, cost-effective alternative. As our islands prove successful and achieve pollution uptake numbers in the field, we are confident we will be able to reduce these costs by 75%! FLOATING ISLANDS FOR WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER TREATMENT * Superior performance to constructed wetlands * A viable solution to pollution * Very affordable A “Concentrated wetland effect” 
BioHaven floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) cleanse water of the major pollutants commonly found in groundwater. They remove nitrates, ammonia and phosphates at a level comparable to engineered solutions, but unlike other systems, they do so at the same time. They are also effective at removal of heavy metals, such as zinc and copper, when present in the water column as suspended solids. Their removal of suspended solids and BOD is extremely impressive. Typically, after wastewater has passed through treatment facilities, there is still a high level of Phosphate present, which is finding its way into our major waterways and contributing to pollution and even dead zones in the ocean. In the new regulatory environment, levels of Phosphate must be drastically reduced. Constructed wetlands have proven themselves to be an effective, natural way of removing pollutants, but they have some disadvantages. More recently, Floating Treatment Wetlands have come on the scene, improving performance and reducing the drawbacks. Research shows that, of these, by far the most successful are BioHavens, out-performing the next best by 2000%. They have additional advantages: they take up no land; they keep pace with water level fluctuations; and they work in both shallow and deep water.
 BioHaven
floating islands act as floating treatment wetlands, only more
so. They provide a concentrated wetland effect. BioHaven
FTWs are constructed from a non-woven matrix made of recycled
plastic, and injected with foam for initial buoyancy. Thousands
of square inches of tiny matrix fibers (left) provide an
expanded surface area for microbes to colonise – aerobic
microbes which consume phosphates and ammonia, and anaerobic
microbes which convert nitrates to harmless atmospheric gas.
Once the BioHaven is launched, biofilm begins to grow inside and
around it (biofilm = microbes). As water circulates through and
across the island, the biofilm gets to work on the pollutants.
The more the surface area, the more biofilm forms, and the more
nutrients are removed. Inexpensive solar- and wind-driven pumps
can assist water re-circulation. A limited amount of aeration is
necessary to support phosphate removal. Stormwater
ponds experience similar problems with pollutants, and are often
challenged by heavy metals such as zinc and copper, which are
too fine to be filtered mechanically. Suspended particles attach
to the biofilm and the roots of plants growing through the
matrix. Eventually they slough off and fall to the sediment
where they remain sequestered as long as anaerobic conditions
are maintained. BioHavens are eminently suitable for both wastewater and stormwater “polishing”. Floating islands deployed in a wastewater treatment setting should be resilient to fluctuations in water quality influent. Some research even suggests they may help to lower operating costs because of the optimal way they utilize oxygen.  With
BioHaven FTWs, though, you get more than a water polisher – you
steward your waterway with a beautiful natural system and
provide habitat for a myriad life forms in the process.
BioHavens can be made to any shape or any size, can be “off the
shelf” or custom built.
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Wildlife Habitat |
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 Is
there anything that warms the human spirit more than seeing a
wild creature blythely going about its business, right alongside
us, not even knowing we're there?BioHavens are truly havens for all kinds of wildlife, from mink and muskrat to nymphs and microbes. Ducks love them for brooding and roosting, loons nest on them, fish congregate under them, koi feed off them, tiny water snails shelter inside the matrix, and most importantly microbes proliferate on them, starting off the food chain and supporting all the above. 
Some creatures we've never seen on a floating island to date
are: deer, rabbits, bear, coyotes, mountain lions.... they have
to make more effort to reach a tasty morsel on a BioHaven than
on land!So with this protection, shelter and food source available, here are some ways we can use BioHavens to support the wild creatures we care about: Protected species regeneration By providing a relatively safe platform for nesting, roosting and brooding, endangered species can thrive.
 Waterfowl
attraction It is relatively easy to encourage
numerous species of ducks - some rare, but not necessarily - to
a waterbody with BioHavens in it. Grass, plants and other
substrates, such as gravel, can be used. However, there are
issues of balance - too many ducks and water gets fouled or the
island vegetation can suffer - so strategies to prevent this
need to be put in place (see our FAQ section for specific issues
of concern). Zoo
enclosures We have been privileged to work with Zoo
Montana on the installation of a BioHaven in the River Otter
enclosure, and see what a difference having this new ground has
made to the lives of the otters, not to mention the quality of
the water. It is truly heartwarming to see these creatures, who
had never seen grass before, respond to the living BioHaven.
True, they ripped out some of the cattails but the island and
the sod is holding up very well and the otters look like they're
having fun! They have even got to the stage where they sleep and
feed on the island.
Fish spawning platforms BioHavens can be constructed on two levels, with the lower level suspended from the upper to maintain its position relative to the surface. Different surface substrates can be used to attract different fish.  Fishing
platforms Some people are skeptical that fish will
congregate beneath floating islands but we have witnessed it too
many times to be in any doubt! So imagine what you can do with a
BioHaven and a fishing rod?Goose magnets If you have a problem with geese on the shoreline, they can be encouraged to meet elsewhere, though the issues of balance again arise. If you don't want them on your BioHaven you can keep them off by planting woody palnts and allowing them to grow into the matrix before launching the island. Or simply fence the island off, with netting of some kind (there are different options we know of that have succeeded). Of course BioHavens deliver all their benefits to wildlife management, including water quality improvement. BioHavens can play a key role in contributing to the health of our planet.
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Floating Gardens |
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 BioHaven Floating islands make wonderful vegetable gardens! Imagine in the heat of summer being able to go away and not have to worry about constant watering? Having a garden that’s virtually weed-free, lush, with a longer growing season, and which is just out of reach of rabbits, deer and other grazers. And best of all, the fruit is always plump! Floating gardens are easy to plant, easy to maintain and easy to harvest. Just tie it off to the shore and pull it in. Or incorporate a walkway to make it even easier. And know that while you are enjoying wonderful produce, you’re doing your bit to clean up our polluted waterways……... *Plants take all their water from underneath *They take nutrients from the water *The water gets cleansed in the process *Longer growing season *Less competition from other animals Mike says... “I started a small island with lettuces in the greenhouse. Two weeks ago, I put it in the pond. The plants on the island are now double the size of the greenhouse plants.” Mike Wheeler, WY  Cynthia says... “I normally can’t go away in the heat of summer without losing my tomatoes—this is a brilliant and practical solution!” Cynthia Low, NZ Imagine an island planted with low-growing herbs around the edges, and a profusion of tomatoes, chilies, peppers, zucchini and your favorite vegetables growing in the centre! Or perhaps the orderliness of a garden wheel is to your liking...this island can be divided into sections which you can plant symmetrically, like a French garden. Flowers or produce, herbs or wildflowers …. You are in charge! You can sow seeds or plant bedding plants. You can leave it to grow au naturel or tend it carefully. We recommend blending worm castings with BioMix to act as an organic and water-safe fertilizer. Please note, well aerated water is essential for the growth of non-wetland plants, such as fruits and vegetables.  For Islandscapes for home gardens, check out the wonderful offerings from our associates, Ion Exchange Inc. |
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P.S.- If you have a pond, stream or any kind of waterway you will want to add a beautiful effective water cleaning Bio Haven Floating Island. Click HERE
