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About BioHavens: Launching, Anchoring, Maintainence |
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 Launching
Comprehensive launching instructions are provided with all standard sized floating islands. They are straightforward to launch, provided the instructions are carefully followed and you have enough people for the job.
The ideal launch site is a gentle, level slope, with vehicular access to the waterway and an open shoreline. However, site variations may call for expert help.
Custom islands are likely to be more complicated to install, requiring expert launch assistance. FII has trained Island Masters available to assist with launching complex or large BioHavens.
There are two points, sometimes overlooked, which can mess up a launch big-time - please take note so this does not happen to you! They are:
1) Make sure you pack BioMix tightly into the wicking holes (planting holes) and leave no air gaps. The process is: fill one-third with rockwool, and make sure the bottom of the hole is lined so that no BioMix can escape. Press down tightly. Then fill to the brim with BioMix, and then some. Press down tightly! Make sure there is a one-inch covering of BioMix across the entire BioHaven top. Proceed to lay sod and plants.
2) Saturate the plants / sod / the entire top of the BioHaven before you walk away from the launch. If all the plants are secure, you can briefly push the island under water to soak it. Make sure that either the top is going to be watered regularly for the first two weeks, or that the island is sitting low enough in the water for the plant roots to get access to water (you can add rocks or wood). This is only for the first two weeks, while the plants are establishing themselves. They are at their most vulnerable to transplant shock at this time.
If you bear these two pointers in mind you will minimize transplant shock and foster healthy plant growth on your BioHaven.
Anchoring
Anchoring is another aspect to consider carefully. In private settings, it is not necessary to anchor your BioHaven, but in most settings it is desirable or even mandatory.
Every BioHaven has at least one robust anchor attachment point, positioned at the leading edge, as in a yacht. This will receive a galvanized or plastic coated chain, which will be then attached to the anchor.
Anchor attachment points will vary according to our manufacturers' different designs.
For small islands, in lakes or ponds where there is a minimal flow of water, we recommend cinder blocks (concrete blocks) which are readily available. These can be slotted through the chain and lowered to the bottom. They can be covered with pond lining material to prevent damage to any pond liners.
Optimum anchor weight will vary according to wind conditions and flow. For situations where there is not much of either, we recommend taking the square footage of BioHaven and halving it to get the weight in pounds for your anchor, for example: a 250 sq footer: 250 divided by two is 125 lbs anchor.
Another option is to purchase a sea anchor. Attach one concrete block to the anchor line and lay on bottom. Connect the sea anchor to the other side of the concrete block from the island and you have an effective anchoring system.
The effectiveness of an anchor will always be influenced by the hardness or softness of the bottom. The harder the bottom, the more the anchor is likely to slide in a high wind or flow.
FII provides expert engineering assistance to calculate anchor weight where there is wind resistance, current or tidal flow to take into account.
In some situations, it is not desirable or permissable to place an anchor, for instance, in protected wetlands or streams. In this case, tethering to shore is an option.
Maintenance People have many questions about maintenance. In general, BioHavens are like any garden - you can tend them or let them grow naturally. Maintenance is not difficult, but you will likely need a small boat to access your BioHaven. Weeds and invasive species can take root on your BioHaven and you may wish to remove them. We recommend planting with perennials if you want to reduce maintenance, but annuals make a wonderful ornamental display, if you are prepared to tend them.
There are some factors you need to allow for if you are dealing with waterfowl issues - please see our FAQs for more information.
Once again, please click on the link to read the full instructions , and please refer to the FAQ section of our web site if you have further questions.
To order an island, please see our catalog .
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