What I've found after reading the forums for several months is that sometimes it helps to get a professional come out to your place for an assessment/evaluation.

I made lots of assumptions based on the threads on this forum plus magazine and Internet articles. Some were right -- some were dead wrong.

I think spending a little money up front to help establish goals and a long-term view is worthwhile. It won't take a fortune. Texas has lots of respected professional pondmeisters.