John- We have a generalized blueprint, if you will, and it just keeps on growing�lol. After reading your post, I decided that I had better add a beach. If I may ask, how much coverage did you get with 2 loads of sand? So far, we have spawning, nursery, and vegetative coverage areas for FHM, GSH, gams, grass/glass shrimp and CNBG/RES laid out, campgrounds for HSB, as well as various humps, swells, benches, ledges, and stumpy areas etc., for underwater entertainment. As I can�t foresee how the pond will evolve, I have also included habitat/structure for a couple of controversial fish. I figure that even if we don�t ever add them, the area will still be utilized by someone and, on the off chance that we do, we're prepared. We also will be using cinderblock from a decrepit milking shed that is slated for demolition for our reef areas but perhaps we should add the larger stone, too??
I�ll be planting a lot of Iris on the banks as a way to visually demarcate the �brood� areas. I think it will be easier to ask the kids when they come to visit not to fish by the areas with Iris rather than trying to describe to them what areas to avoid. Also, I am considering building a couple of floating islands and tethering them near the deeper structures for identification purposes but I may use rubber ducks temporarily if time becomes an issue.
Initially, I�d thought about a floating dock since it self-adjusts to the water level, but given my situation (degenerative neuro issue), we�ll be putting a permanent structure in. Are you happy with the 6x6�s? I still need to research this (dock structures) further. I haven�t fully defined our needs, yet, but Polaris access is required. Wish-list features include a screened gazebo and room for at least 12 people...
Thank you so much for your input - I appreciate all of the help that you have provided.
Last edited by FullCircleTx; 08/29/11 12:19 PM.
