Thanks for all the very nice comments, all.
Kuan - here is a link to my very first post here, where I describe all our trials and tribulations. The pond is about 3,000 gallons, which my husband built after we had a contractor dig out the hole for us for free. (Info in the link)
http://www.americanponders.com/forum/index.php?topic=9313.msg96098#msg96098Kathy - clear water is trial and error with us. The pond is in full all day sun - no shade at all. Lately the water has been somewhat clear, but tinged with a bit of green from the string algae that is covering the liner and wants to start up but we are hoping we are keeping at bay this year. The past 2 years it has been horrific.
We do have a UV filter, and my husband uses some beneficial bacteria (sorry I don't know which ones), but it's a constant battle. He also uses something for sediment, but I find that that all settles on the plant roots and stems constantly, and I find that unsightly, but he's ok with that.
As for surface coverage... I have never, in the 4 years we've had the pond, been able to grow water hyacinths for cover. Everyone tells me how prolific they are, and how they always have to either give some away or toss them, and yet my 4-5 plants just sit there, then turn yellow, then brown and just die!
I bought 5 plants about 3 weeks ago and NOTHING. They are just floating in the hula hoop I have to put them in so they don't live in the skimmer, and no growth whatsoever. I so wish I could grow them, so as to help give more coverage for when the heron comes.
