Artificial floating islands -- we have four at our place -- are especially great for growing periphyton. Even without rooted plants, their composition & surface area really help.

So should the floating island folks think about teaming up with the EZ dock folks to increase periphyton in ponds via placing their material on the underside of docks? Docks themselves grow periphyton, of course, but far less than material designed to do that. Just a random thought...

Can ya give me a little schooling ? What is periphyton? I cant say every ever heard of it. I'm thinking I want to do a couple of these floating island. My turtle would prolly take up home on it.

Hey, Rusto. Here's a discussion on floating islands, periphyton, and the impact on fisheries in Mississippi. Basically periphyton is a mix of small aquatic plants & animals, along with biofilm, that coat the surface of underwater structures.
Really good for situations with excess nutrients.

https://www.pondboss.com/news/inside-pond-boss/floating-islands-clearer-water-and-more-fish