Add an aesthetic look to your dam and improve your water quality with a floating vegetated island
Floating Islands—For Aesthetics and Improved Water Quality
Our floating islands of vegetation help improve water quality in dams, lakes and ponds. The plant's underwater root mass extract nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from the water. Fewer nutrients in your water = less algae and weeds. The islands also provide habitat for aquatic life, e.g. frogs, fish, dragonflies.
- Reduces nutrients in water
- Improves water quality
- Less algae and weeds
PRODUCT materials
What are floating islands made of?
Our floating island mats are made of polyethylene foam—durable, rot-resistant and UV-stable. The islands are 1.5m x 1m in length and width, and 12.7 mm thick. Each mat comes with pre-cut planting holes at a density of approximately 26 plants per m², maximising vegetative coverage and nutrient uptake. The seamless construction provides outstanding lateral and tensile strength, while the ultra-lightweight structure delivers excellent buoyancy.
Step 1
Assemble your island
Build your island to any size and shape by connecting your mats.
You can use permalon plastic tabs with stainless steel grommets to connect the mats and anchor points. We use water-grade nylon rope to strengthen the corner connections and anchor points.
Step 2
Plant with vegetation
Plant your vegetation of choice in the pots provided. Each mat comes with 40 reusable pots; one for each hole. When planting we recommend choosing plants that are not too young, i.e. plants with healthy root system—at least 3 months old. Ideally choose native species that grow less than 1m tall.
Place the pots into the holes in the mats. Transport the island to the location you want it, and anchor it in place.
Pro Tip: Plant your pots and put them in a greenhouse, or somewhere on dry land, for 3-months before putting the posts in the islands. It may feel like a long wait but it prevents fresh soil, not packed in enough, leaking into your dam or lake.
Step 3
Harvest your plants
Harvest your plants annually, biannually, or quarterly, depending how fast they grow. Simply pull the pots and plants free from the reusable mats. Then pull the plants out of the reusable pots. This permanently removes the uptaken nutrients (aka fertiliser) from your water.
You can compost the plants, gift them to friends, or replant them on the banks of the dam, out of the water.
Step 4
Replant and repeat
Use the same pots to replant your island with young plants and repeat the process.
