James,
I am going to sink or swim on my own and with what I can glean from all the hundreds of years of knowledge floating around in the heads of the members of this forum. I just got a written report from a aquatic biologist from a local hatchery who (because of my lack of patience) sold me on reward for my curly leaf pond weed. I am here to tell you that stuff works! I killed weeds that I didn't even think I sprayed! Then I added 8 grass carp to the 6 already there and my weed problem is almost gone. I have a pretty steady greenish tint to the water so I don't think I need to fertilize any time soon. Just worked the pond with a worm and caught 2 small bass about 10 inches long. Saw quite a few BG around the edges of the pond and a few (very few) fatheads from a 30lb stocking about 2 months ago.
They were babies and I haven't seen any adults is some time. I have put 2 cedars in the pond in 2 different places and am seeing minnows and sm bg (I think they are BG) hovering pretty close to it. Man, I never knew there was so much work in managing a pond. When I was 10 I used to routinely catch 6 pounders out of a local farm pond by my house. Ok,, so that was 34 years ago, but I KNOW that farmer didn't "manage" his 3 acre pond! But I want the good fishing so I will have to educate myself with you good folks assistance.

PETA, People Eating Tasty Animals