Theo, your last couple of sentences really say a lot. It was 2 years after my pond was built before I really knew what to look for. I credit this web site and all of you guys for opening my eyes.

If I were going to give advice I would say to spend a month reading what the experts (?) here are saying and learn from their experiences and tales of woe. I bet everybody here has screwed up once or twice and admitted it here and belatedly asked for help. I would particularly look for posts by ZHKENT. That guy is good. Also, pay particular attention to posts regarding coring and sheepsfoot rollers. The size of the equipment can also make a huge difference in your final cost.

I would also get the last year of PB Magazine and read everything Mike Otto has to say. It will be a shortcut in your learning/thinking process.